DRAFT
Disability Rights Advocates For Technology
DRAFT
Flying with an Other Power Driven Mobility Device
Transporting your Segway to your destination aboard a commercial aircraft falls under the Air Carriers Access Act, which is enforced by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
While still in the terminal prior to boarding the aircraft you are protected by Title III of the ADA, which is enforced by the U.S. Department of Justice.
UPDATE: Some Airlines have prohibited the transportation of large Lithium-Ion batteries, even when being used by those with disabilities, and are specifically including Segways as prohibited.
Contact your Airline before traveling!
Be sure to call your airline when booking and tell them that you wil be traveling with a Segway as a person with a disability. This will help to ensure that you won't be denied boarding at your origin airport or at your destination. Make sure to tell them that your Lithium ion batteries are non-spillable.
Ask them to include that you will be traveling with a Segway into your flight record. If you are denied boarding ask them to speak with their CRO or Complaint Resolution Official. Be sure to tell them that you included a Segway as amobility device that's being used by a person with a disability in your record.
You are not required to give proof of disability but only have to give a credible assurance that you are using the Segway as a person with a disability as your mobility device. Make sure to speak with your airline and document your device.
(Segways have Lithium ion, Non-Spillable batteries that are attached to the device and protected against short circuit.)
Update 1/28/2023, Spoke to a Delta reservation agent who said I would be allowed to fly with a Segway.
You can help us by identifying your wheelchair batteries as either lithium ion, spillable or non-spillable so that we can follow the correct U.S. federal Dangerous Goods handling procedures.
Lithium Ion Batteries
There are currently no restrictions on self-contained lithium ion batteries in a mobility device.
Dry-cell and Gel-cell "Non-spillable" Batteries
Dry-cell and gel-cell batteries are considered “non-spillable" and have fewer requirements for handling. Powered wheelchair batteries may remain attached when the wheelchair fits upright through the aircraft cargo compartment door. Due to the size of the aircraft cargo compartment doors on aircraft operated by Delta and our Delta Connection Carriers, some wheelchairs may be loaded on their side. Please check with the manufacturer that the battery is safe when being loaded or traveling on its side.
Delta representatives will need to know that your device can be stowed in the aircraft without accidental activation. If this information cannot be provided, we will be required to disconnect the battery post connectors and wrap each post connector with tape to prevent electrical shorts during travel. Please attach disassembly/reassembly instructions along with your wheelchair's specific battery type to the wheelchair or fill out the Wheelchair Handling form and present that to the gate agent.
Update 8/26/2022: Southwest Denying Segways aboard flights
Southwest Airlines is no longer allowing Segway PT's to be transported on their flights even when being used by a person with a mobility disability. If denied boarding or reserving a ticket when informing them that you will be using a Segway as your mobility device, file a complaint with the airline, and the Department of Transportation under the Air Carriers Access Act. Organizations shouldn't have the power to dictate what Mobility Device you can use! Call the airline to confirm their policy.
What items are not accepted as mobility aids?
The following portable electronic devices (PEDs) are not recognized by the HAZMAT Regulations as mobility aids. Southwest Airlines prohibits these types of PEDs in checked or carryon baggage regardless of battery type, even if the battery is not installed.
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Hoverboards
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Skateboards
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Gravity boards
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Segway PT
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Ninebot
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MiniPRO
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Onewheel
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Razor
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Uni‐Wheel products
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e-Bikes
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Rideable suitcases
We've received multiple complaints of disabled passengers being denied access from Southwest Airlines.
Alaskan Airlines
Alaska airlines does not accept the following items as mobility aids:
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Hoverboards and self-balancing devices
Allegiant Airlines
Hoverboards / Self-balancing devices Forbidden from transport.
Includes, but is not limited to: electric skateboards, balance gliders, hoverboards or selfbalancing boards, etc.
American Airlines
Doesn't list Segways as allowed or not allowed, and asks you to fill out a special services request to inquire.
I'm waiting on a response back.
Frontier Airlines
Frontier Baggage and special items
Frontier accepts Segways that are powered by Nickel Metal Hydride (NI-MH) batteries as assistive
devices only. Lithium ion powered Segway's aren't accepted under any cirumstances.
Hawaiian Airlines
The following are some common examples of prohibited items and permitted exceptions:
Segway Human Transporters (HT)
JetBlue Airlines
The policy isn't clearly stated as to if Segways are allowed to be used by a person with a disability.
Updates to follow.
Spirit Airlines
The policy isn't clearly stated as to if Segways are allowed to be used by a person with a disability.
Updates to follow.
United Airlines
The policy isn't clearly stated as to if Segways are allowed to be used by a person with a disability.
Updates to follow.
How to file a complaint with the Department of Transportation
Complaints about violations of the Air Carriers Access Act or ACAA should be reported first directly to the airline, and then a formal complaint should be completed with the U.S. Department of Transportation. The complaint process is very simple and will only take a few minutes. Complete every section of the form and provide as much information as possible. It takes a while to receive a response back from the DOT.
The more complaints they receive from people with disabilities about being denied access for use of a OPDMD or "Other Power Driven Mobility Device", the more likely they will be to take action. Rights that aren't defended are very quickly lost. Your advocacy will pave the way for those who come behind us.
Also report denial of access to us!
Report denial of access to us so we can track and advocate on your behalf. If you would like our advocate to reach out to you directly inform us in your message and we will contact you. Your reporting will help us to indicate trends and allow us to better address public policy,