Image: United Airlines
United Airlines has added Braille to its aircraft cabin interiors, the first U.S. airline to make the addition that will help passengers with visual disabilities more easily navigate the cabin independently. A dozen United aircraft are currently equipped with Braille markings, with the remainder of United’s mainline fleet expected to be fully equipped with the changes by the end of 2026.
According to the Department of Transportation, approximately 27 million people with disabilities travelled by air in 2019. In collaboration with the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), the American Council of the Blind (ACB) and other disability advocacy groups, United will explore the use of other tactical navigational aids for the cabin, such as raised letters, numbers and arrows.
“Finding your seat on a plane or getting to the restroom is something most of us take for granted, but for millions of our customers, it can be a challenge to do independently,” said Linda Jojo, Executive Vice President, Chief Customer Officer, United. “By adding more tactile signage throughout our interiors, we’re making the flying experience more inclusive and accessible, and hat’s good for everyone.”
“We applaud United for taking an important step toward making its aircraft more accessible to blind passengers,” added Mark Riccobono, President, NFB. “The flight experience is often frustrating for a number of reasons, one of which is the amount of information hat is available exclusively through printed signs and other visual indicators. We hope to continue working with United to explore additional ways to make flying more accessible and less stressful for blind passengers.”
