All Wheels Up (AWU), a non-profit organisation dedicated to making air travel more accessible for disabled people, has been named in the Forbes 2026 Accessibility 200 list. The list, curated by Forbes magazine, recognises the 200 top companies, individuals and organisations that are improving the lives of people with disabilities in areas like communication, mobility, consumer products, education, and transport.
AWU says that its inclusion in the Accessibility 200 list reflects its leadership and efforts in advancing mobility and independence for people with disabilities. Since its inception, AWU has been working to making the skies friendlier, safer, and more accessible for everyone around the world.
“Accessible air travel is no longer a niche consideration that can be ignored,” said Michele Erwin, founder and president of All Wheels Up. “People with disabilities are not just simply another consumer demographic: they are innovators, leaders and explorers who deserve to have the same access to the world as those around them. We are proud to lead the way for accessibility on airplanes and are grateful for our partners across the industry who help make our mission a reality.”
You can find out more from Michele Erwin in her column for Aircraft Interiors International.
The Forbes Accessibility 200 list is now in its second year and represents the progress being made across 23 countries on six continents. The list was compiled based on more than 700 interviews and input from a 12-member expert advisory board across all sectors of business and society.
“Accessibility has evolved from a legal mandate to a bustling frontier of innovation, impact and profit,” stated Alan Schwarz, assistant managing editor at Forbes. “From juggernaut companies to lone entrepreneurs, accessibility innovation inspires new features, products and services that transform how people with disabilities – and often the wider world – communicate, travel, learn, work, play sports, and so much more. It’s now beyond ‘the right thing to do’ – it’s integral to a smart business.”
“Unlocking Accessibility in the sky has always been doable,” added Stephen Cullen, chair of the All Wheels Up board and a retired US Air Force Colonel. “We’ve already shown that accessible air travel is technically feasible while meeting FAA standards, and our focus now is to help airlines operationalise and implement enhanced accessibility for people with disabilities. We are grateful to Forbes for recognising the collective impact our work with industry partners, government stakeholders, and other organisations is having on the lives of people with disabilities.”
