Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Air Travel (OST-2008-0273)
OST-2008-0273
Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Air Travel
3-Aug-2009
Re: DOT Granting Request of Air France
In its equivalent alternative determination request. Air France states that its first and business class seats do not have movable aisle armrests as required by section 382.61. However, Air France asserts that the pitch of these seats, which ranges from 61 inches in business class to 79 inches in first class, would "easily accommodate seating by passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility, including passengers using an on-board wheelchair." Accordingly, Air France contends that its first and business class seats provide an equivalent alternative to the movable aisle armrest requirement of section 382.61.
With respect to Air France's business class seats, the Department attended a demonstration at Washington Dulles International Airport to assess whether or not these seats provide equivalent accessibility to a passenger with a mobility impairment as compared to a seat with a movable aisle armrest. Based on this demonstration, the Department is granting Air France's equivalent alternative determination request for section 382.61 for its business class seats.
By: Samuel Podberesky
3-Aug-2009
Re: DOT Granting Request of Asiana Airlines
The Department has reviewed an Asiana video, which demonstrates both a carrier-assisted and a self-assisted horizontal transfer of a person with a mobility impairment from an aisle or boarding wheelchair to Asiana's business class seat. This video shows that the passenger does not have to be lifted over the aisle armrest. Based on the information provided by Asiana, the Department is granting its equivalent alternative determination request for section 382.61.
3-Aug-2009
Re: DOT Granting Request of Cathay Pacific
In its equivalent alternative determination request, Cathay Pacific states that its first and business class seats do not have movable aisle armrests as required by section 382.61. However, Cathay Pacific asserts that these seats allow persons with mobility impairments using an aisle or boarding wheelchair to make a safe horizontal transfer into or out of the seats without being lifted over an armrest or other obstacle. Accordingly, Cathay Pacific states that its first and business class seats provide an equivalent alternative to the movable aisle armrest requirement of section 382.61.
The Department has reviewed Cathay Pacific's first and business class seat schematics and aircraft configuration diagrams. The Department also reviewed a Cathay Pacific video, which demonstrates both a carrier-assisted and a self-assisted horizontal transfer of a person with a mobility impairment from an aisle or boarding wheelchair to Cathay Pacific's first and business class seats. This material shows that the passenger does not have to be lifted over the aisle armrest. Based on the information provided by Cathay Pacific, the Department is granting its equivalent alternative determination request for section 382.61.
3-Aug-2009
Re: DOT Granting Request of Emirates Airlines
In its equivalent alternative determination request. Emirates asserts that its first and business class seats provide an equivalent alternative to the movable aisle armrest requirement of section 382.61. Specifically, Emirates states its first class seats have armrest which can be lowered independent of the seat's backrest. With respect to its business class seats. Emirates states that the armrest movement is linked to the seat's "backrest movement." However, Emirates asserts that "due to high seat pitch of 72', clear entrance space and armrest lowering feature," persons with mobility impairments using an aisle or boarding wheelchair can make a safe horizontal transfer into and out of the seats without being lifted over an armrest or other obstacle.
With respect to its first class seats, the Department has reviewed videos submitted by Emirates, which demonstrate both a carrier-assisted and a self-assisted horizontal transfer of a person with a mobility impairment from an aisle or boarding wheelchair to Emirates' first class seat. These videos show that the passenger does not have to be lifted over the aisle armrest. Based on the information provided by Emirates, the Department is granting its equivalent alternative determination request for section 382.61 for its first class seats.
3-Aug-2009
Re: DOT Granting Request of Singapore Airlines
In its equivalent alternative determination request, Singapore states that its first class suites and business class seats do not have movable aisle armrests as required by section 382.61. However, Singapore asserts that the seat pitch and entrance spacing of these seats are wide enough such that a horizontal transfer of a person with a mobility impairment from the onboard wheelchair onto these seats, and vice versa, can be accommodated easily. Accordingly, Singapore asserts that its first class suites and business class seats provide an equivalent alternative to the movable aisle armrest requirement of section 382.61.
The Department has reviewed Singapore's first class suites and business class seat schematics and aircraft configuration diagrams. The Department also reviewed Singapore videos, which demonstrate both a carrier-assisted and a self-assisted horizontal transfer of a person with a mobility impairment from an aisle or boarding wheelchair to Singapore's first class suites and business class seats. This material shows that the passenger does not have to be lifted over the aisle armrest. Based on the information provided by Singapore, the Department is granting its equivalent alternative determination request for section 382.61.
Source: AirlineInfo, http://airlineinfo.com
This report includes original source company information.