Delta Airlines Will Have Adaptive Wheelchair Seats On Future Flights



A long-sought goal for disabled travelers may soon come to fruition. A work is currently in progress that will allow travelers who rely on wheelchairs to fly seated in their own equipment. Airlines in the U.S. damage or destroy 10,000 to 15,000 wheelchairs and other mobility devices each year on average by stowing them with baggage, and many advocates say that allowing disabled travelers to remain in their own wheelchairs is a key step to making travel more accessible. The Department of Transportation has confirmed that concepts for in-cabin wheelchair securement are already working their way through the approval process. The FAA says they expect wheelchairs to be on airplanes by the end of 2025. The DOT is considering requiring all airlines to install such equipment once approved, but that will be a separate process. Delta has already requested approval to begin installing the adaptable seats on its aircraft once the FAA finishes its preliminary approvals.