- JetBlue is the most accessible airline to travelers in wheelchairs, according to a recent study.
- The airline is expected to carry 29,147 wheelchairs or mobility devices on board in 2024.
- Delta also scored highly because of its low rate of wheelchairs mishandled.
One airline has higher ratings than the others for those who plan to fly with a wheelchair.
A new study by InsureMyTrip Based on the Air Travel Consumer Report of U.S. Department of Transportation, the ranking shows which airlines do a great job with wheelchairs. The analysis took into consideration the number and severity of mishandled scooters and wheelchairs. It also considered the quantity of wheelchairs or scooters enplaned to determine the ranking.
JetBlue was rated the best airline for wheelchair access. The survey showed that 97 percent of respondents were satisfied with the service. JetBlue is expected to carry 29,147 wheelchairs, and other mobility aids on its flights by 2024.
Delta Airlines ranked highly with the lowest percentages of wheelchairs mishandled. The airline is also in the process of designing a seat that will allow travelers with wheelchairs Use their wheelchairs while on board the plane.
Alaska Airlines, ranked third in the world’s best airlines, is also a great airline.
Frontier Airlines has been rated the lowest airline, with the largest percentage of negative reviews and one-star ratings mentioning wheelchairs. Spirit Airlines and American Airlines were also ranked low. (In 2024 the Department of Transportation will fine American Airlines $50,000,000 for its treatment of passengers with wheelchairs.
In the U.S., more than five million people use wheelchairs while they travel. These devices can cost up to thousands of dollars. This makes traveling with certain airlines an expensive and potentially stressful experience. Air travel should be available to everyone. But that is not the case. We hope this study shines a light on which airlines are getting it right and which have room for improvement—so wheelchair users can make an informed decision when booking a flight,” Sara Boisvert, director of marketing at InsureMyTrip, said in a statement shared with Travel + Leisure.
New rules issued by the Department of Transportation went into effect in December. They require airlines to adhere to stricter standards when accommodating wheelchair-bound passengers, and to compensate them for damage to their chairs. The rules are being challenged in court by several U.S. carriers, who claim that they are regulatory overreach.
