United Airlines Pioneers Braille Integration in Plane Interiors

United Airlines announced it had become the first airline in America to add Braille to aircraft interiors.

The carrier has equipped about a dozen aircraft with Braille markings for individual rows and seat numbers as well as inside and outside the lavatories. United expects to outfit its entire mainline fleet with Braille by the end of 2026.

The airline also revealed partnerships with the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), the American Council of the Blind (ACB) and other disability advocacy groups to explore the use of other tactile navigational aids throughout the cabin, including raised letters, numbers and arrows.

Data from the United States Department of Transportation showed that around 27 million people with disabilities traveled via commercial airline in 2019.

“Finding your seat on a plane or getting to the restroom is something most of us take for granted, but for millions of our customers, it can be a challenge to do independently,” United Chief Customer Officer Linda Jojo said.

“By adding more tactile signage throughout our interiors, we’re making the flying experience more inclusive and accessible, and that’s good for everyone,” Jojo continued.

In recent years, United has worked to create accessible solutions, including a mobile app redesign for people with visual disabilities and adding accessibility features to its inflight seatback entertainment screens.

The airline has also focused on sustainability, with the United Airlines Ventures (UAV) Sustainable Flight Fund recently announcing it had increased its investment power to nearly $200 million and added eight new corporate partners, just five months after its initial launch.