“The new final rule requires that airlines meet more rigorous standards for accommodating passengers with disabilities, especially for passengers who use wheelchairs. The rule sets new standards for assistance, mandates hands-on training for airline employees and contractors who physically assist passengers with disabilities and handle passengers’ wheelchairs, and specifies actions that airlines must take to protect passengers when a wheelchair is damaged or delayed during transport…
Individual requirements in the final rule have varying implementation timelines, ranging from January 16, 2025 to June 17, 2026 for training requirements. The final rule will be effective on January 16, 2025 and can be found at https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/latest-news. ”