Delta Airlines Fined Record Amount for Mistreatment of Travelers with Disabilities

posted on Feb 24 by in the Advocacy, Disability Discrimination, Disability Law, Disability News, Wheelchair Accessibility, Wheelchair Accessibility Laws category

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Delta Airlines was fined a record $2 million by the US Department of Transportation for not following federal rules regarding accommodating air travelers with disabilities, including lack of accommodations for boarding and exiting airplanes as well as not responding to complaints in an appropriate time frame. A portion of the fines will be paid directly to the Dept. of Transportation for violating federal statues, while the rest are to be used by Delta to raise awareness within the company and improve their services for disabled passengers.

In a press release from the Department of Transportation, the U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood  said, “Ensuring that passengers with disabilities receive fair treatment when they fly is a priority for the Department of Transportation. We take our aviation disability rules seriously and will continue to enforce them vigorously.” The US DOT proved that by hitting Delta with the highest fines on record for non-safety-related violations.

The fines were levied against Delta airlines for several violations of the federal rules regarding air passengers with disabilities. Delta allegedly did not provide adequate accessibility and assistance for air passengers with disabilities getting on and off airplanes. The airline also did not respond to passenger complaints in a timely manner. The record DOT fines were levied based on complaints that were filed in 2007 and 2008.

According to the Associated Press, Delta responded by saying that the airline “will install more elevators, and allow customers to specify what type of wheelchair help they need when they buy a ticket on the airline’s website. It will also install additional jet ways — instead of stairs — for boarding regional flights.” The airline also admitted no wrongdoing, but states they have been making investments since the 2008 complaints to accommodate travelers with disabilities. Delta has plans to improve training to employees about accommodating airline passengers with disabilities and better handling of complaints.

3 Comments

jane c smith, posted this comment on Mar 16th, 2011

I am so disappointed in MY airline. I was a F/A for 34 years with Delta.I retired in 2005. In 2006 I was diagnosed with lung cancer. Being a non-smoker the Drs. assumed it was second hand smoke. I flew when you could smoke on airplanes. I am in a wheelchair due to radiation damage which resulted from the cancer. To think I put in my good years serving Delta and they are not being responsible for handicapped passengers is deplorable. I went out of my way to help those who were handicapped. I am now being paid back by people I come in contact with. Come on Delta. Step up to the plate. Have a heart and show compassion and be the airline you were so many years ago.

Paul Stobaugh, posted this comment on Mar 17th, 2011

I have flown Delta twice in the past 6 or so weeks. These are my first times on planes since a spinal chord injury two years ago. I use a wheel chair, and the Delta staff both in the terminals and on the planes were very helpful and accomodating. Hope this is a happy ending to the story.

Belinda Bell, posted this comment on May 4th, 2011

I have flown Delta on numerous ocassions over the past four years. I have used a buddy pass on many of the ocassions knowning that that means standby. What I didn’t know was that it meant low class treatment. I don’t have the look of a person with special needs but clearly I’m being wheeled in by an attendant. Rescently I was removed from a plane by TSA because they wanted me to be rescanned. I was told they wouldn’t wait for me for their error.

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