CHICAGO (NEWSnet/AP) — United Airlines has agreed to improve air travel for passengers in wheelchairs after the federal government investigation.

United and the Transportation Department said Thursday that the airline will add a filter to the booking tool on its website to help consumers find flights on which the plane can more easily accommodate their wheelchairs. The cargo doors on some planes are too small to easily get a motorized wheelchair in the belly of the plane.

The airline also agreed to refund the fare difference if a passenger has to take a more expensive flight to accommodate their wheelchair.

United said it expects to make the changes by early next year.

The decision followed “a lengthy investigation by the department” into a disability complaint filed by Engracia Figueroa, who died after sustaining injuries from a loaner wheelchair when her custom wheelchair was “severely damaged” and became inoperable on a 2021 United Airlines flight, according to the lawsuit.

According to a settlement, airlines mishandled 32,640 wheelchairs and scooters on domestic flights from 2019 through 2022 — a rate of 1.45%. 

As part of the settlement, United said it will start a trial at George Bush Houston Intercontinental Airport laster this year to accommodate passengers whose wheelchairs are damaged or delayed, including reimbursing people for transportation if they don’t want to wait at the airport.

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