The U.S. Department of Transportation has levied a $50 million fine against American Airlines in a settlement over the Texas-based company’s alleged violations of disability laws that took place between 2019 and 2023.
The department said the landmark penalty sets a precedent being “25 times larger” than its former record settlement.
“The era of tolerating poor treatment of airline passengers with disabilities is over,” Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in an Oct. 23 press release. “With this penalty, we are setting a new standard of accountability for airlines that violate the civil rights of passengers with disabilities.”
The department alleged that American Airlines provided subpar service to wheelchair users, including “unsafe physical assistance that at times resulted in injuries and undignified treatment.”…