Plans are moving forward to allow people with disabilities to remain in their wheelchairs when they travel on commercial aircraft.

A subsidiary of Delta Air Lines is seeking approval from the Federal Aviation Administration for a seat design that would accommodate a traveler in their wheelchair, a company spokesperson said.

Delta Flight Products, a Delta subsidiary that engineers aircraft interiors for airlines around the world, showed off designs for modified First Class and economy cabin seats at industry events over the last two years. Both seats can be installed without reducing the number of seats on the plane and they are designed to provide passengers with disabilities similar features to those riding in typical seats.

The applications submitted to the FAA are a first step in what’s likely to be a long process, officials said.

“Delta Flight Products’ applications, which could ultimately enable this first-of-its-kind seat to be installed on an aircraft, are a remarkable milestone in the industry’s journey to make travel more inclusive for all,” the airline said in a statement. “Delta has long pioneered efforts to increase air travel accessibility and will continue to invest in technology and innovation to support all our customers.”

The U.S. Department of Transportation told Disability Scoop last month that the FAA is studying whether commercial aircraft can safely accommodate passengers in wheelchairs, with a decision on feasibility expected by the end of next year. At this point, the agency said that no major issues have come up and remedies for minor problems are being developed.

The Transportation Department is also expected to conduct a study looking at the economic impact of accommodating wheelchairs on airplanes and will ultimately determine whether to propose a rule to make this a reality.

Many people with disabilities have long sought to be able to remain in their wheelchairs on flights citing risks of injury and potential damage to often highly customized mobility devices when they are forced to transfer to specialized aisle chairs so that they can be seated on airliners.

In 2023 alone, federal data shows that 11,527 wheelchairs and scooters were mishandled by U.S. airlines.

“This has been a 15-year journey that we have worked so hard to see come closer to fruition,” said Michelle Erwin, CEO of All Wheels Up, a nonprofit that funds research on adding wheelchair spots to commercial aircraft. “There is still work to be done, but it’s not a question of why or how anymore, it’s a question of when.”

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