Accessible Airline Travel Survey for Powered Mobility Device Users: Understanding Air Travel Behavior

Air travel enables access to employment, healthcare, and social participation; however, powered mobility device (PMD) users face persistent operational and physical barriers in commercial aviation. This study examined associations between recent air travel participation and functional, informational, and environmental factors among PMD users. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between April and December 2024 among U.S. adults using PMDs ( n = 246). The questionnaire assessed sociodemographics, air travel profile, knowledge of air travel policies, concerns across travel phases, and preference for driving instead of flying. Pearson’s chi-square tests examined associations between recent air travel participation (within 3 years) and categorical variables. Effect sizes were calculated using Cramér’s V . Eighty-three percent reported flying within the past 3 years. Recent participation was moderately associated with greater knowledge of air travel policies (χ 2 [4, n = 167] = 17.45, p = 0.002, V = 0.32), ability to transfer into an aisle chair (χ 2 [4, n = 97] = 11.04, p = 0.026, V = 0.34), and in-flight seating tolerance (χ 2 [8, n = 167] = 17.01, p = 0.030, V = 0.32). Preference for driving demonstrated a large association with nonrecent participation (χ 2 [12, n = 143] = 40.05, p < 0.001, V = 0.53). Ambulation ability to transfer to an aircraft seat was not significantly associated with participation status. Transfer feasibility, seating tolerance, and modal substitution were associated with recent air travel participation among PMD users. These findings may inform policy refinement, staff training, and inclusive aircraft design strategies.