Disability rights: Congress finally gives passengers a way to sue airlines
H.R. 9373 — Air Carrier Access Amendments Act of 2026 · Filed by Dina Titus (D-NV) · 6 cosponsors · Introduced Jun 18, 2026 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill amends the Air Carrier Access Act of 1986 to give passengers with disabilities a direct right to sue airlines in federal court for discrimination—a remedy that did not exist before. It requires the Department of Transportation to assess civil penalties for specific violations (damaged wheelchairs, physical harm, denial of boarding, failure to assist), allows courts to award compensatory and punitive damages plus attorney's fees to winning plaintiffs, and permits the Attorney General to bring enforcement actions on behalf of affected passengers.
Why we flagged it
The bill's core function is to create a private right of action for passengers with disabilities to sue airlines for ACAA violations, closing a 40-year enforcement gap. This is a civil rights remedy, not a regulatory carve-out or subsidy.
What the text implies
- Airlines may face significant litigation exposure and damages liability for violations previously enforceable only by DOT/FAA administrative action, potentially increasing insurance costs and operational compliance spending.
- The 2-year statute of limitations and no requirement to exhaust administrative remedies before suing may accelerate litigation and bypass DOT's existing complaint and enforcement processes.
The full analysis lists 4 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
Plaintiffs' personal injury and civil rights attorneys; Expert witnesses in disability accommodation and air transportation; Airlines may incur higher compliance, insurance, and litigation costs