Seating Accommodations
Under certain circumstances, if a passenger self-identifies as a passenger with a disability, carriers must provide seating accommodations. [Sec. 382.38(a)] In order to provide these seating accommodations and other seat assignment requests from passengers with a disability, carriers may implement a reservation system to provide for advance seat assignments. If a carrier provides advance seat assignments, it may employ either the seat “blocking” method or the “priority” seating method. Each method requires some advance notice on the part of the passenger with a disability in order to guarantee the seating accommodation. [Secs. 382.38(b) and (c)]
Management of carriers should select an adequate reservation system to meet its needs, ensure proper administration of the reservation system, and provide employee training with respect to the reservation system and the requirements under the law for providing seating accommodations for passengers with disabilities.
If carriers do not employ a system for advance seat assignments, if a passenger with a disability self-identifies, the passenger must be allowed to pre-board the aircraft and select a seat to accommodate a disability. [Sec. 382.38(d)]
Carriers are not required to provide more than one seat per ticket or a seat in a class of service other than the one the passenger has purchased to accommodate a passenger with a disability in need of a seat assignment to accommodate his or her disability. [Sec. 382.38(i)]
Carriers must comply with all FAA safety requirements in responding to requests from individuals for seat assignment accommodations. [Sec. 382.38(j)]
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