According to the FAA "no [airline] may allow the carriage or operation of equipment for the storage, generation or dispensing of medical oxygen" (Oxygen 1). Current FAA regulations state that airlines are not required to offer oxygen aboard commercial flights to people that need it for medical reasons. If they do choose to offer it, they do so under very strict guidelines, such as a substantial additional cost to the customer, additional hassle when boarding and disembarking the aircraft, as well as stringent stowage rules of their own personal oxygen systems as required by their doctor. These issues, along with a host of other inconveniences, lead to an impression that the airlines are in fact following the letter of the law but not following the "intent" of it. .
The ADA was set forth to allow people with disabilities to participate in "normal" activities and to live life in a way that is less "bothersome" and more positive. Simply by accepting small accessibility issues, people with disabilities were able to travel, go shopping, work, and do other things they were unable to do before the ADA was enacted. This act forced businesses and employers to reassess their policies regarding access, employment, and availability of their services to the public. The act also clarified that people with disabilities were, in fact, the same public that paid taxes, participated in the economy and were useful people in every community. Businesses changed the way they did things and made decisions with some of the groundwork set forth with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Airlines fall under the regulation of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) which falls under the US Department of Transportation (USDOT). Although airlines are private sector transportation authorities, they must follow federal laws and regulations regarding people with disabilities or those requiring special medical accessibilities.