Kelsey Brickl Claims that the Airline Violated Her Air Carrier Access Act Rights

A wheelchair-bound passenger is seeking nearly a quarter of a million dollars from American Airlines for alleged violations of her Air Carrier Access Act rights. She referenced an error with the airline’s online check-in system and an incident in which her wheelchair was diverted to the baggage claim.

Kelsey Brickl’s case involves a June 12, 2025, trip from Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to Chicago O’Hare (ORD). Brickl, who uses a custom powered wheelchair due to severe cardiac and neuromuscular conditions, claims an American Airlines online check-in glitch incorrectly listed her husband’s and son’s titles and blocked her out of advance check-in. The airline reportedly told her this was “not always available” on international flights… failing to address federal requirements for accessibility. She says this last-minute check-in caused fatigue, disrupted medical routines, and jeopardized pre-arranged disability accommodations.

Upon arrival in Chicago, the situation reportedly got worse. Despite her wheelchair being tagged for gate return, it was sent to baggage claim. Brickl, unable to use a standard wheelchair, stayed on board for over an hour until her own chair was recovered. She says she had to “educate” flight attendants on the law in the meantime.

American’s response was, in Brickl’s words, a “grossly inadequate and insulting” apology in the form of a $75 travel voucher. A DOT complaint followed, with the airline allegedly admitting it is “not uncommon” to send heavy wheelchairs to baggage claim, which, for the record, is not compliant with federal law.

Brickl is seeking up to $216,000, citing physical harm, emotional distress, and cardiovascular instability caused by the incident. Her case also notes that, in late 2024, the DOT fined American $50 million for repeated failures in providing adequate wheelchair assistance between 2019 and 2023.

American Airlines has retained outside counsel and maintains that diverting wheelchairs is sometimes necessary, though it has yet to comment on the lawsuit itself.

FMI: www.aa.com