Companion seating for disabled
Feb 4, 2016, 4:45 pm
#1
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Companion seating for disabled
Canada has a law passed that allows companions to fly for free with a disabled person. Are there any law firms that are working to pass something like this here in the United States? I am unable to travel anywhere without someone to accompany me both on flight and for the whole duration of my visit. Can I get any information that would allow me to at least get a discount? I did read older posts on the subject, but wondered if any changes have been made since those threads. Thanks very much for your time and correspondence.
Feb 4, 2016, 5:02 pm
#2
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I don't agree with the idea but if you wanted to try for this you'd first want to talk to your Representatives in the House & Senate not a law firm.
Suing because something is law in Canada doesn't apply here.
Suing because something is law in Canada doesn't apply here.
Feb 4, 2016, 6:07 pm
#3
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Not to sound harsh but, why do think you the airlines should be forced to give your companion a free ticket? If you want a seat pay for it like everyone else. Where does it stop?
Feb 4, 2016, 7:45 pm
#4
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Companion seating for disabled
Flagged for moderators to move to the Travel with Disabilities forum.
For info about the 2008 decision in Canada, see http://www.fodors.com/community/canada/disabled-win-in-airline-ruling-companion-can-travel-for-free.cfm
For info about the 2008 decision in Canada, see http://www.fodors.com/community/canada/disabled-win-in-airline-ruling-companion-can-travel-for-free.cfm
Feb 5, 2016, 12:02 am
#5
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Welcome to Flyertalk Aburning.
We'll relocate this to the Disability Travel forum.
~beckoa, co-moderator Information Desk
We'll relocate this to the Disability Travel forum.
~beckoa, co-moderator Information Desk
Feb 5, 2016, 12:13 am
#6
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You could try flying Canadian airlines; I'd be surprised if such a law would get passed in the US in the foreseeable future.
It's actually useful information for US disabled travelers contemplating flights to Canada or other international destinations as they could fly Air Canada, etc., and take advantage of this. Perhaps details about who, exactly, qualifies to need a companion under this ruling, and certification of the need that is required, if any, would be helpful to US disabled travelers.
It's actually useful information for US disabled travelers contemplating flights to Canada or other international destinations as they could fly Air Canada, etc., and take advantage of this. Perhaps details about who, exactly, qualifies to need a companion under this ruling, and certification of the need that is required, if any, would be helpful to US disabled travelers.
Feb 5, 2016, 6:47 pm
#7
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As far as I know, it was the result of a Canadian Supreme Court ruling, not legislative action, and applies only to Canadian domestic flights and only if the person with a disability requires an attendant's assistance during a flight, not if the person requires an attendant only while on the ground during a trip. There's not much here about the implementation, but here's the background (last updated in 2015):
https://www.otc-cta.gc.ca/eng/conten...olicy-decision.
https://www.otc-cta.gc.ca/eng/conten...olicy-decision.
Last edited by Giggleswick; Feb 5, 2016 at 6:53 pm
Feb 10, 2016, 5:08 am
#8
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The rationale is that everyone should have equal access to air travel and this is the government's way of providing that to individuals who need someone to travel with them. Without this, they would always have to pay double to travel and that puts them at a disadvantage.
Feb 10, 2016, 7:44 am
#9
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The rationale is that everyone should have equal access to air travel and this is the government's way of providing that to individuals who need someone to travel with them. Without this, they would always have to pay double to travel and that puts them at a disadvantage.
The fact is, in the US our airlines are private companies. The government can't force them to give away their product. The government could choose to subsidize those seats, but it would be at the expense of taxpayers.
Feb 10, 2016, 8:34 am
#10
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Bottom line is that there is no such law in the US and the chances of such a law ever passing Congress are slim. The chances of a court ever ordering a private company to provide a service such as this for which it could other charge are equally slim. Both for the same reasons.
Any such program would likely involve a plan whereby some fund pays for the companion's ticket and that is not in the cards.
It sounds harsh in the abstract, but others point out there are many situations where travel may be important for all kinds of reasons and yet not affordable, yet without money, it can't be done.
Any such program would likely involve a plan whereby some fund pays for the companion's ticket and that is not in the cards.
It sounds harsh in the abstract, but others point out there are many situations where travel may be important for all kinds of reasons and yet not affordable, yet without money, it can't be done.
Feb 12, 2016, 8:52 am
#11
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Bottom line is that there is no such law in the US and the chances of such a law ever passing Congress are slim. The chances of a court ever ordering a private company to provide a service such as this for which it could other charge are equally slim. Both for the same reasons.
Any such program would likely involve a plan whereby some fund pays for the companion's ticket and that is not in the cards.
It sounds harsh in the abstract, but others point out there are many situations where travel may be important for all kinds of reasons and yet not affordable, yet without money, it can't be done.
Any such program would likely involve a plan whereby some fund pays for the companion's ticket and that is not in the cards.
It sounds harsh in the abstract, but others point out there are many situations where travel may be important for all kinds of reasons and yet not affordable, yet without money, it can't be done.
Feb 12, 2016, 9:40 am
#12
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In OP's situation, he acknowledges that he requires assistance.
Feb 15, 2016, 7:56 am
#13
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That is not particularly relevant to this discussion. The sole ACAA fact pattern where that would occur would be the situation where the carrier determines that a prospective passenger is so disabled that the passenger requires inflight assistance from a third person (not crew) and the passenger disagrees with that assessment and asserts that they are capable of managing on their own. In that extraordinarily limited circumstance, the carrier may require the assistant to travel, but must provide the seat without charge.
In OP's situation, he acknowledges that he requires assistance.
In OP's situation, he acknowledges that he requires assistance.
Aug 5, 2017, 6:45 am
#14
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Please correct me if I'm wrong (gasp!), but I thought I read that in order to benefit from this (having a companion fly free), that one must purchase the full-fare ticket (sorry, I'm not familiar with the correct terminology), which is comparable to if someone just bought 2 discounted tickets. Is this accurate?