Kean Urges Action to Make Air Travel Wheelchair Accessible

October 23, 2026 Press Release (October 22, 2026) WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Wednesday, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) wrote to the Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration Bryan Bedford, and five major airline CEOs urging them to take steps toward the deployment of systems in their airline fleets to allow wheelchair users safe access to air travel. Current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations require wheelchair users to transfer out of their wheelchairs into a standard passenger seat and stow their wheelchairs onboard. Wheelchair users often find their expensive and essential wheelchairs damaged after being in the cargo hold leaving them with limited mobility options at their destination. For individuals with certain disabilities, the difficulty of moving into and out of a standard passenger seat can make commercial air travel physically prohibitive. In past years, Congress has authorized reports and task forces to study the path forward to advancing in-cabin wheelchair restraint systems that allow wheelchair users to remain safely seated in their wheelchairs. A Transportation Research Board study authorized by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 concluded that, with proper development, the implementation of in-cabin wheelchair restraint systems that meet FAA safety standards is technically feasible, and suggested further research and evaluation into the proper next steps. Now, Congressman Kean is engaging major airlines and the FAA/DOT on next steps in this process. Congressman Kean wrote , “ I have spoken to many wheelchair users throughout New Jersey who fear the risk of their wheelchairs being damaged or lost in transit. Others highlight unique physical needs that can make transferring out of the wheelchair painful or impossible.” Kean continued , “I respectfully request your engagement on the path forward to ensuring all Americans, regardless of physical ability, have the agency to access air travel without undue hardship.” Read the full letter to Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy and Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration Bryan Bedford HERE . Read the full letter to airline CEOs HERE . ###