AIRCHAIR II – THE ONBOARD WHEELCHAIR ENSURING COMPLIANCE WITH THE LATEST ACAA REGULATIONS
- Launching at AIX – Hamburg, 8-10 April 2025
- Updated design to meet all the requirements of the new ACAA Regulations (US DoT Regulation 14 CFR Part 382.65)
- Airchair, leading the way in a new era of accessible travel
- Visit Airchair on Stand A65, Hall 5 and speak to the experts in onboard wheelchair design
With accessible travel for all a key focus for legislators and Governments around the world, on 1st August 2023, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a final ruling to amend the Air Carrier Access Act regulation to improve the accessibility of lavatories on single-aisle aircraft for passengers with reduced mobility.
A critical element of this new ruling is that all US airlines and all foreign airlines flying to or from the United States must comply with specific requirements regarding the design and technical aspects of onboard wheelchairs.
As one of the leading designers of aisle wheelchairs with a long history of working with the world’s leading airlines, Airchair is launching a new product to provide the safe and economical solution to meet all the latest legal requirements.
Airchair II has been specifically designed to comply with US DoT Regulation 14 CFR Part 382.65. Its clever design has evolved from the Airchair standard model and meets the specific requirements of the regulation, taking into consideration the constraints within today’s aircraft and the needs of passengers with reduced mobility. Airlines and Cabin Crew benefit from using an aisle chair that is lightweight (6.8kg/15lb), easy to stow, deploy and move around the aircraft.
Airchair II is available in two widths 14”/360mm and 15”/380mm. All four castors provide 360o rotation for maximum movement, with brakes to secure the aisle chair during passenger transfer. The two rear castors are directional and can be fixed in a forward or backward position for safe, directional travel, making it easy for cabin crew to move passengers around the confines of an aircraft. Airchair II also has a non-slip footplate with a strap to keep the passenger’s feet secure and incorporates a safety stay that deploys as the chair is opened and locks the ‘X’ frame during use.
The seat and back covers of the Airchair II are padded and made from ELeather from GenPhoenix. The back rest is easily retracted with a simple ‘push bar’ and enables safe and easy transfer of a passenger from one seat to another. The entire framework is finished with SterilcoatAM®, an anti-microbial coating to prevent the spread of dangerous organisms.
As the industry makes progress in enabling access for all to air travel, the new regulations will empower airlines and aircraft interior designers to improve provision for passengers with reduced mobility.
Suppliers to the industry are investing in new designs and engineering to make compliance easy and Airchair is leading the way in this new era of accessible transportation.
Visit Stand A65, Hall 5 to speak to the experts in onboard wheelchair design.