United will add Braille signage throughout its aircraft, an accessibility first
United Airlines said Thursday that it will add Braille to its aircraft cabins, offering a new level of accessibility for passengers who are blind or have significant vision impairment.
The airline will add placards with raised lettering and Braille to aisles labeling rows and seats; it'll also add these labels to the inside and outside of lavatories, it said in an announcement.
United said it will add the Braille signage throughout its mainline aircraft, making it the first U.S. airline with fleetwide Braille signage. The airline plans on adding the markings to individual aircraft as they undergo "United Next" cabin retrofitting. For planes that have already undergone United Next installation, the Braille signs will be added during normal maintenance downtime, Mark Muren, a managing director at United who oversaw the project, said.
The airline said about a dozen planes already had the Braille signs added, with the full mainline fleet expected to have the signs by 2026.
Regional jets operated by smaller airlines on United's behalf under the United Express brand would not necessarily see the changes, Muren said, although the airline is "absolutely working for that."
Snazzy to the MAX: Putting United's newest cabin to the test
"We want to have the most consistent experience," Muren said. "That's something we're working very closely with our partners on and that they're very supportive of."
While some individual aircraft or fleet types in the U.S. currently have Braille in some spots, such as in the lavatories, Muren said that no U.S. carrier currently has that universally throughout its fleet.
In recent years, accessibility in the air has become a bigger conversation, whether the topic is the safe handling of passengers' wheelchairs, lavatory sizes or the real-world practicality of evacuation safety standards.
While challenges remain due to the inherent nature of aircraft and air travel, there's room to do more, Muren said.
"This is placards. This is a small thing, and we acknowledge this isn't a world-changing event," he said. "But it is a part of our journey here."
"We believe that the more accessible United can be to all customers, the better it is for everybody," Muren added.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees