Denver, Colorado – Frontier Airlines has raised concerns over passengers abusing the carrier’s wheelchair system to gain priority boarding, with CEO Barry Biffle addressing the issue during a recent luncheon in New York. The airline expressed frustration with the widespread abuse of wheelchair services by passengers seeking to move to the front of security lines and secure priority boarding on flights. According to Frontier, managing the problem poses a challenge for both the TSA and airlines.
Frontier Airlines emphasizes its commitment to providing wheelchair and mobility assistance to passengers who require it during boarding and deplaning. However, CEO Barry Biffle highlighted the issue of individuals using wheelchair services without legitimate need, noting instances where only a fraction of passengers who requested wheelchairs for departure actually used them upon landing. Biffle described the abuse of special services as “massive and rampant.”
In response to the situation, Frontier Airlines suggested implementing a wheelchair registration or verification system and enacting legislation to address the issue and penalize those who exploit the system. The airline’s call for action comes amidst growing concerns over what some have dubbed the “pre-boarding scam,” where passengers manipulate wheelchair policies to gain early boarding privileges.
The issue of passengers misusing wheelchair services to gain priority boarding is not isolated to Frontier Airlines. In a similar incident involving Southwest Airlines, a passenger raised concerns over flyers exploiting the carrier’s wheelchair policy to board the plane ahead of others. The passenger highlighted a potential “pre-boarding scam” after observing multiple individuals requesting wheelchair assistance but not needing it for deplaning.
Southwest Airlines defended its pre-boarding policy, stating that it aligns with the Air Carrier Access Act (ACCA) requirements and aims to provide appropriate accommodations for all passengers, including those with disabilities. The ACCA prohibits airlines from discriminating against passengers based on their disability, emphasizing the importance of ensuring equal treatment for all travelers. The incidents involving both Frontier and Southwest Airlines underscore the challenges airlines face in balancing the provision of necessary services with preventing misuse and abuse of special accommodations.