All Wheels Up
All Wheels Up is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds FAA-compliant crash testing of wheelchairs and wheelchair securement systems, advocates for in-cabin wheelchair spots, and sells CRO training and services to airlines to advance accessible air travel for people with disabilities.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersFrisco, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What All Wheels Up does
All Wheels Up, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2011 by Michele Erwin in Frisco, Texas, operating on an all-volunteer grassroots basis with 1-10 staff. Its mission is to enable wheelchair users to remain in their personal wheelchairs during commercial flights by funding and conducting FAA 16G-compliant crash testing of wheelchairs and wheelchair securement systems, advocating for regulatory change, and supporting implementation of in-cabin wheelchair spots. The organization served as the catalyst for the 2018 FAA Reauthorization's Duckworth Amendment and the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act's landmark accessibility provisions, which mandated a roadmap for in-cabin wheelchair securement, expanded crashworthiness research, and national training standards for assisting wheelchair users.
Its core products and underlying work center on (1) physical crash testing and floor load testing executed in partnership with Wichita State University's National Institute for Aviation Research, Q'Straint, and wheelchair manufacturers; (2) CRO (Complaints Resolution Official) Services and CRO Training offered commercially to airlines, with publicly disclosed pricing of $995 per participant for on-site training and $120 per participant for virtual refresher courses; (3) the Fly Safe Today educational program providing travel resources and assistive equipment guidance to travelers with disabilities; and (4) the annual Global Forum convening manufacturers, airlines, regulators, and advocates. The technology stack is mechanical-engineering research rather than software; AWU publishes findings as open-source research to drive industry-wide adoption.
The revenue model mixes donations, corporate sponsorship tiers (Gold: Boeing, Biogen, Expedia Group, Paralyzed Veterans of America; Silver: Q'Straint, Microsoft, RTX; Bronze: Airbus), competitive grants (MDA Advocacy Collaboration Grant, Craig H. Neilsen Foundation, Expedia Made to Travel Fund), and commercial CRO training and services fees. Customer segments split between enterprise airline buyers of CRO training/services and the end-persona community of wheelchair users and travelers with disabilities served through educational programs and advocacy. Strategic partnerships span the FAA, DOT, Boeing, Airbus, JetBlue, Delta, and university research programs, providing the institutional leverage that has driven the organization's outsized regulatory impact relative to its size.
All Wheels Up firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- All Wheels Up
- Legal name
- All Wheels Up, Inc.
- Website
- https://www.allwheelsup.org/
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- All Wheels Up is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds FAA-compliant crash testing of wheelchairs and wheelchair securement systems, advocates for in-cabin wheelchair spots, and sells CRO training and services to airlines to advance accessible air travel for people with disabilities.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
All Wheels Up industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Aviation Accessibility Advocacy
- akta.pro primary industry
- Wheels & Brakes MRO (IMABALAG)
Keywords
Where All Wheels Up is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Frisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
All Wheels Up business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations: All Wheels Up operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization reliant on donations from the public to fund its research, advocacy, and community outreach programs.
- Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors including Biogen, Boeing, Expedia Group, Microsoft, and others provide financial support at Gold, Silver, Bronze, and additional tiers.
- CRO Training Services: The organization offers CRO (Complaints Resolution Official) training and services to airlines, including certified CRO services and expert training courses on U.S. DOT regulations and disability rights.
- Grants: All Wheels Up receives grants from organizations including the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA Advocacy Collaboration Grants), Craig H Neilsen Foundation, and Expedia Made to Travel Fund.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | On Site at Your Airline - Full-day instructor-led session |
| Other | Annual | CRO Refresher Course - Virtual Webinar |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Group Pricing |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
All Wheels Up product offering
Product offeringCore offering
All Wheels Up is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that advances accessible air travel for wheelchair users and people with disabilities through FAA-compliant crash testing research, advocacy, and airline training services. Its commercial offerings center on CRO (Complaints Resolution Official) services and CRO training sold to air carriers for ACAA and 14 CFR Part 382 compliance, supplemented by the Fly Safe Today traveler education program, the annual Global Forum, and open-source industry research.
Product overview
All Wheels Up is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of services focused on accessible air travel for people with disabilities. The core offerings consist of CRO Services (Complaints Resolution Official support for airlines) and CRO Training (staff training on disability rights and DOT regulations). Supporting programs include Fly Safe Today (traveler education and resources) and the Global Forum (annual industry event). Research is conducted as open source to drive industry-wide adoption. All offerings work together to advance the mission of allowing wheelchair users to remain in their wheelchairs during commercial flights.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Fly Safe Today: A program offering valuable resources and education, providing travelers with disabilities with information on available assistive equipment for purchase.
Products and services
- CRO Services Complaints Resolution Official (CRO) services providing airlines with certified CRO support, 24/7 call center operations, ACAA and 14 CFR Part 382 compliance management, and train-the-trainer programs to help airlines meet U.S. DOT accessibility requirements.
- CRO Training Comprehensive CRO training program for airline staff covering customer service best practices, conflict de-escalation, accessibility awareness, and compliance with 14 CFR Part 382 and the Air Carrier Access Act. Offered in-person at airline facilities ($995 per participant) or at scheduled AWU training events in Texas and Orlando, Florida, plus a $120 annual virtual refresher webinar.
- Fly Safe Today Education and resource program providing travelers with disabilities information on assistive equipment for purchase, flying tips, informational sheets, and FAQs to ensure safer and more dignified air travel experiences.
- Global Forum Annual industry event bringing together aircraft manufacturers, airlines, regulators, accessibility experts, and disability advocates to address technical, regulatory, and implementation challenges of accessible aircraft design and wheelchair securement systems.
- Open Source Research Open-source research publications, feasibility studies, and industry research articles on wheelchair securement systems, aircraft cabin accessibility, and accessible air travel solutions, including FAA 16G crash testing data.
Quantifiable outcome
- Successfully conducted multiple crash tests demonstrating the feasibility of wheelchair securement systems for commercial aircraft
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use All Wheels Up
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
All Wheels Up technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
All Wheels Up partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- Wichita State University (National Institute for Aviation Research)coreResearch partnership for crash testing wheelchair securement systems and floor load testing in collaboration with Q'Straint, Quantum Wheelchairs, and MDA. NIAR has received Crystal Cabin nominations for wheelchair space concepts.
- Virginia TechcorePartnership through Virginia Tech's Calhoun Honor Discovery Program. Received Crystal Cabin nomination for 'Chairs in the Air' project.
- University of MichigancorePartnership through the University's Aerospace Vehicle engineering (M-SAAVE) wheelchair accessibility mission. Received Crystal Cabin nomination for M-SAAVE project.
- University of WashingtoncoreResearch partnership contributing to aircraft cabin empathy and accessibility design resources through engineering capstone projects.
- BoeingflagshipGold sponsor of All Wheels Up. Collaborates on aircraft accessibility and wheelchair securement solutions for commercial aircraft.
- Paralyzed Veterans of AmericaflagshipGold sponsor advocating for accessible air travel and the rights of veterans and individuals with disabilities.
- Q'StraintcoreSilver sponsor and collaborator in wheelchair securement testing. Provides restraint systems for FAA-compliant crash testing of wheelchairs.
- FAA (Federal Aviation Administration)coreRegulatory partner for crash testing standards and wheelchair securement system certification requirements. AWU works with FAA representatives on the Aviation Advisory Committee.
- U.S. Department of TransportationcoreRegulatory partner overseeing ACAA compliance. AWU has advocated for and benefited from DOT initiatives including the $50 million fine of American Airlines for accessibility violations.
- AirbuscoreBronze sponsor and aircraft manufacturer collaborating on wheelchair accessibility solutions.
- Airlines (various)coreCollaboration with airlines including Delta, JetBlue, and others on CRO training, accessibility compliance, and wheelchair spot implementation initiatives.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
All Wheels Up competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation: Spinal cord injury advocacy and research funder; aligned with AWU's SCI community (Fly Safe Today funded by Neilsen) but focused on cure research, quality-of-life grants, and broader SCI policy.
- American Association of People with Disabilities: National disability rights and policy organization; shares the broader disability-advocacy ecosystem but focuses on cross-disability policy (employment, voting, transportation) rather than aviation-specific implementation.
- National Disability Rights Network: U.S. network of protection and advocacy organizations for people with disabilities; thematically adjacent through disability rights enforcement and policy advocacy, though not aviation-specific.
- Muscular Dystrophy Association: Funder (2025 Advocacy Collaboration Grant) and board representation; shares interest in neuromuscular disability and air travel access but is primarily a patient-services and research funder, not a peer advocacy operator.
Emerging players
- Paralyzed Veterans of America: Gold sponsor and advocacy partner of AWU; overlaps on accessible air travel policy work for veterans and wheelchair users, but operates a broader disability benefits, healthcare, and advocacy mission.
Direct peers
- Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality (SATH): Industry nonprofit advocating for accessible travel worldwide; comparable in mission, audience (travelers with disabilities), and industry-education approach, though with broader travel-mode scope than AWU's aviation focus.
- Open Doors Organization: Nonprofit focused on creating travel and tourism opportunities for people with disabilities; closely aligned mission to AWU's accessible air travel advocacy, research, and industry convening role.
Regional players
- Flying Disabled: UK-based nonprofit advocating for disabled flyers; comparable mission and wheelchair-securement advocacy, primarily serving European travelers and Virgin Atlantic/UK carriers rather than U.S. airlines.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
All Wheels Up social profiles
Digital presenceAll Wheels Up financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
All Wheels Up leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
All Wheels Up funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
All Wheels Up M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about All Wheels Up
What does All Wheels Up do?
All Wheels Up is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that advances accessible air travel for wheelchair users and people with disabilities through FAA-compliant crash testing research, advocacy, and airline training services. Its commercial offerings center on CRO (Complaints Resolution Official) services and CRO training sold to air carriers for ACAA and 14 CFR Part 382 compliance, supplemented by the Fly Safe Today traveler education program, the annual Global Forum, and open-source industry research.
Is All Wheels Up a public or private company?
All Wheels Up is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was All Wheels Up founded?
All Wheels Up was founded in 2011. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is All Wheels Up based?
All Wheels Up is headquartered in Frisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does All Wheels Up make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations are the primary driver. The others are sponsorships, CRO Training Services and grants.
Who are All Wheels Up's main competitors?
Others on record are Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, American Association of People with Disabilities, National Disability Rights Network and Muscular Dystrophy Association. Paralyzed Veterans of America is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality (SATH) and Open Doors Organization. Flying Disabled is listed as a regional player.
Does All Wheels Up have an API?
No public API is recorded for All Wheels Up.
What industry is All Wheels Up in?
All Wheels Up's product category is Aviation Accessibility Advocacy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABALAG, Wheels & Brakes MRO.