The U.S. Department of Transportation is delaying enforcement of several disability-related air travel requirements, shifting the compliance window by four months to April 30, 2027, according to a Federal Register notice published on August 4, 2026. The previous deadline had been set for December 31, 2026.
The extension applies to four provisions within a final rule known as Wheelchair Rule I. The Federal Register notice identifies those provisions as airline liability for mishandled wheelchairs, the frequency of refresher training for airline staff, pre-departure notifications to passengers, and reimbursement of fare differences for affected travelers.
The department is also broadening its enforcement discretion to cover a separate training requirement. That requirement, drawn from the Accessible Lavatories on Single-Aisle Aircraft rule, mandates that flight attendants complete hands-on training over a 12-month period in on-board wheelchair assistance and lavatory accessibility. The Federal Register notice specifies that the discretion covers only that training provision, not the Accessible Lavatories rule in its entirety.
The DOT said the extension is necessary to allow time to review and analyze public comments before making final determinations. All provisions currently under enforcement discretion will be taken up in a forthcoming rulemaking designated as Wheelchair Rule II.