United Airlines is first U.S. carrier with Braille signage in the aircraft interiors

United Airlines, the first U.S. carrier that has implemented Braille in its aircraft interiors, announced the addition of Braille on the planes’ interiors. 

The airline has around a dozen aircraft that have Braille markings in the lavatories, individual rows and seat numbers. United expects its mainline fleet to be equipped with Braille before the end of 2026. 

The Department of Transportation reports that in 2019, more than 27 millions people with disabilities flew by air. Linda Jojo acknowledged the difficulties faced by blind and visually impaired customers. 

She said that finding your seat or going to the bathroom on a plane is something we take for granted. But for millions of customers, it’s a difficult task to accomplish independently. “By incorporating tactile signage into our interiors we are making flying more inclusive and more accessible. This is good for everyone.”

United announced that it is working with the National Federation of the Blind, the American Council of the Blind, and other disability advocacy organizations to implement tactile navigational aids such as raised letters, numbers, and arrows. 

Mark Riccobono of NFP praised United in a press release for making their aircraft “more accessible” to blind passengers. 

Riccobono stated that the flight experience can be frustrating for many reasons. One of these is the limited amount of information available through signs printed on paper and other visual indicators. “We are looking forward to working with United on exploring additional ways of making flying easier and less stressful for blind travelers.”

Last month, a “first-of-its-kind” design A new initiative was announced that will make air travel more accessible for those who use wheelchairs powered by electric motors.