What is the difference between ACAA, Montreal Convention, DOT, and ADA?

ACAA is the US disability rights framework for airline operations (mobility assistance, accessibility, mobility device handling). Montreal Convention is the international treaty governing damage and delay liability on international flights. The 2024 DOT refund rule provides cash refunds on cancellations and significant delays. ADA covers airport facility accessibility outside the airline's direct control. All four are independent and stack on a single disruption.

Can I get cash compensation for ACAA violations?

ACAA itself does not provide direct cash compensation to passengers; it triggers DOT civil penalties (up to USD 27,500 per incident). Cash recovery comes from stacking: 2024 DOT refund rule for ticket value, Montreal Convention or 14 CFR Part 254 for damaged equipment, airline contract of carriage for additional remedies. File the ACAA complaint to enforce the rule and the cash claims separately.

Do disabled passengers get extra cash compensation?

Not in the EU261 / UK261 / DOT cash sense (cash compensation is the same for all passengers). Disability-specific protections come from ACAA (mobility assistance, equipment handling) and Montreal Convention (damage liability, often paid above the cap on mobility devices). Stacking ACAA + Montreal + DOT typically produces higher recovery than non-disabled passengers receive.

How do I file an ACAA complaint?

At transportation.gov/airconsumer, select the disability complaints workflow. Include booking reference, flight numbers, the specific mobility assistance failure or equipment handling issue, photos and PIR reference if applicable, and your contact information. The DOT routes disability complaints to a dedicated team with stronger enforcement powers than standard refund complaints.

Can the airline refuse boarding because of my disability?

Generally no. ACAA prohibits refusal of carriage based on disability except in narrow safety exceptions (uncontrolled medical emergency at the gate, etc.). Refusal of carriage is a serious ACAA violation enforceable through DOT complaint with civil penalties up to USD 27,500 per incident. File immediately.

What if my mobility device is damaged on an international flight?

Montreal Convention Article 17 governs the damage. The cap is about USD 1,800 per passenger under Article 22(2), but US carriers and most foreign carriers voluntarily pay full repair or replacement on mobility devices because of DOT enforcement pressure. Submit the formal claim within 7 days of receipt under Article 31.

Does ADA apply to airline operations?

ADA applies to airport facility operations (TSA screening, terminal navigation, gate access, concessions). It does not directly apply to airline operations, which are covered by ACAA. For airport-side issues, file ADA complaints with DOJ; for airline-side issues, file ACAA complaints with DOT.

Should I use a service for a disability flight claim?

ACAA and ADA complaints can be filed for free at the relevant DOT and DOJ websites. For paired claims (cash refund plus equipment damage plus ACAA enforcement), a flat-fee service compresses the multi-channel filing into one intake. See the [disability and medical flight rights pillar](/blog/disability-and-medical-flight-rights-2026-guide).

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Compensation TipsApril 27, 2026•10 min read

Disability and Flight Compensation: A Complete US Passenger Guide

Loren Castillo

Founder, TravelStacks

Disability flight compensation US guide covers four independent recovery layers: ACAA mobility assistance and accessibility rights (49 USC 41705 and 14 CFR Part 382), Montreal Convention damage and delay liability for mobility devices, the 2024 DOT refund rule for cancelled or significantly delayed flights, and Americans with Disabilities Act protections at airport facilities. Most disabled passengers file only one and miss the others. This guide names every layer.

Disability Flight Compensation US Guide: Four Independent Frameworks

Disability flight compensation US guide starts with the framework map. Disabled passengers on US-handling flights have rights under four independent frameworks that stack on a single disruption. (1) Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) and 14 CFR Part 382 cover mobility assistance, priority boarding and rebooking, escort services, accessibility on aircraft, and damage liability for mobility devices. (2) Montreal Convention Article 17 covers damage to mobility devices and other equipment on international flights. (3) The 2024 DOT refund rule covers cash refunds on cancellations and significant delays. (4) Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) covers airport facility accessibility (TSA screening, terminal navigation, gate access). On a single disruption, all four can apply in parallel. Most disabled passengers file only ACAA and miss the cash recovery channels.

ACAA, Montreal Convention, DOT refund rule, and ADA are independent frameworks that stack. Filing only ACAA leaves cash recovery on the table.

ACAA: The Core Framework

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Mobility assistance throughout the airport experience: gate-to-aircraft, jet bridge, in-cabin, deplaning, gate-to-baggage-claim. No charge.
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Priority rebooking on delays and cancellations: reasonable accommodation requirement, no significantly longer wait than other passengers.
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Escort or attendant assistance during extended delays: continues at no charge throughout the disruption.
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Accessibility of in-flight entertainment: closed captioning, audio description, wheelchair-accessible lavatories on aircraft over 60 seats.
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Mobility device handling and damage liability: hands-on assistance required (Part 382.31), full repair or replacement typically paid above the standard baggage cap.
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Service animal accommodation: trained service dogs (per ACAA reform 2021) accommodated at no charge, with documentation requirements.

See ACAA rights for US passengers with disabilities and wheelchair passenger flight delay: extra rights under ACAA.

Montreal Convention: International Flight Damage Liability

On international flights between Montreal Convention state parties (130-plus countries including US, EU, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, China), Article 17 covers damage to baggage and mobility devices. Article 22(2) caps liability at 1,288 SDR (about USD 1,800) per passenger. For mobility devices specifically, US carriers and most foreign carriers voluntarily exceed the cap because of DOT enforcement pressure. Repair or replacement is typically paid at full cost. Article 31 requires written notice within 7 days for damage. See how to file a Montreal Convention claim against any airline and acaa vs eu261: disabled passenger rights on international flights.

DOT Refund Rule: The Cash Layer

The 2024 DOT refund rule applies identically to disabled and non-disabled passengers. Cancellation or significant delay (3+ hours domestic, 6+ hours international) triggers a cash refund to the original payment method when the passenger declines to fly. Credit card refunds must process within 7 business days. The refund right is independent of any ACAA assistance or Montreal Convention damage claim. Most disabled passengers focus on the ACAA mobility assistance and skip the DOT refund. Filing both is the recovery move. See how to get a refund from your airline and DOT automatic refund rule: which airlines are actually complying.

The DOT refund right is the cash channel. ACAA covers assistance and damage; DOT covers the ticket value back. Stack them.

ADA: Airport Facility Protections

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) covers airport facility accessibility outside the airline's direct control: TSA screening accommodations, terminal navigation (accessible elevators, ramps, restrooms), gate access, and concession area accessibility. ADA enforcement runs through the Department of Justice (DOJ), not DOT. For TSA screening issues specifically, file complaints at tsa.gov as well. ADA violations include failure to provide accessible TSA screening, broken or unavailable terminal mobility assistance, gate access barriers, and inaccessible airport hotels. ADA monetary recovery is available in select cases through DOJ enforcement actions or private lawsuits.

Common Disruption Scenarios and How to Stack Recovery

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Wheelchair damaged in transit, flight delayed 4 hours, declined to fly: ACAA damage liability (full repair or replacement) plus 2024 DOT cash refund (ticket value back).
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CPAP machine delayed in checked baggage, flight on time: ACAA 24-hour replacement obligation plus Montreal Convention or domestic baggage liability for delayed equipment.
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Mobility assistance failure caused missed connection, rebooked next day: ACAA enforcement complaint plus Montreal Convention Article 19 documented loss recovery for hotel and meals.
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Service animal denied boarding: ACAA refusal-of-carriage violation (civil penalty up to USD 27,500), DOT complaint, plus 2024 cash refund if you decline to fly.
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Accessibility refusal at gate, unable to fly: ACAA refusal-of-carriage plus 2024 DOT refund plus potential ADA airport facility complaint.

See service animal denied boarding: ACAA path and missing a business meeting due to flight delay: what you can claim.

Documentation: The Foundation

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Disability documentation: medical letter, government disability ID, or formal accommodation request linked to your booking through Special Service Request (SSR) codes.
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SSR codes: WCHC (cabin chair), WCHR (ramp), WCHS (steps), MEDA (medical), OXYG (oxygen), DEAF (hearing), BLND (vision), DPNA (intellectual or developmental).
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Equipment serial numbers and photos: pre-trip photos and documentation of equipment in working condition.
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Booking notifications: airline confirmations of accommodation requests showing the carrier was on notice.
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Disruption evidence: time-stamped photos of mobility assistance failures, equipment damage, gate delays.
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Receipts for replacement or alternative arrangements: pharmacy, rental, urgent care, replacement equipment.
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Witness statements: from family members or fellow travelers who can corroborate ACAA assistance failures.

How to File the Multi-Framework Claim

1
Document the disruption immediately: photos, time stamps, witness names, mobility assistance failure details.
2
If equipment damage occurred, file the PIR at the baggage office before leaving the airport.
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File the 2024 DOT cash refund request directly with the airline if cancellation or significant delay occurred.
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File ACAA complaint at transportation.gov/airconsumer for any mobility assistance failure or equipment handling issue. Use the dedicated disability complaints workflow.
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Within 7 days of damage discovery (or 21 days for delay or lost equipment), file Montreal Convention Article 22 written notice with the airline.
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For airport facility accessibility issues, file ADA complaints with DOJ (ada.gov) and TSA complaints (tsa.gov) as applicable.
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Track all deadlines: 7 business days (DOT credit card refund), 21 days (Montreal Convention notice), 60 days (DOT complaint response), 2 years (Montreal Convention court action under Article 35).
8
Stack with travel insurance and credit card mobility device coverage where applicable.

For the broader pillar, see disability and medical flight rights 2026 guide. Start a claim with TravelStacks for a flat fee.

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