Owais Crawford
Many airlines and airports offer wheelchair assistance for passengers with reduced mobility. Airlines are required to provide assistance to passengers with disabilities as they move through the airport, including from the terminal entrance to the gate and onto the aircraft. Passengers should self-identify as needing assistance and can request a wheelchair when making their reservation or by informing a team member at the airport. Some airports, such as Delhi Airport, have staff trained to assist passengers with reduced mobility, and special assistance phones are available to call for help. If you bring your own wheelchair or mobility device, you may be able to store it on board if it meets size restrictions, and some airlines will transport battery-powered devices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wheelchair availability at the airport | Yes, most airports provide wheelchair assistance for individuals with disabilities or reduced mobility. |
| Requesting assistance | It is recommended to request wheelchair assistance in advance when booking your trip. You can also inform staff at the airport about your needs on the day of travel. |
| Assistance provided | Airlines are required to provide assistance to passengers with disabilities throughout the airport, including from the terminal entrance to the gate, through security, and onto the aircraft to your seat. |
| Personal wheelchairs | If you bring your own wheelchair or mobility device, you may be able to store it on board if it meets size restrictions. Some battery-operated devices may be stowed in the cargo hold, while others may need to be disassembled and checked. |
| Additional services | Some airports offer additional services, such as motorized wheelchairs, for a charge. |
| Staff training | Staff at some airports, like Delhi Airport, are trained to assist passengers with reduced mobility. |
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What You'll Learn
Requesting a wheelchair in advance
Make the Request When Booking:
When booking your flight, look for an option to "add special assistance" or a similar setting. This is often available on the airline's website or mobile app. Selecting this option will allow you to specify your need for a wheelchair. If this option is not available during booking, you can call the airline directly to make the request.
Specify Your Needs:
Be sure to provide clear and specific information about your requirements. For example, indicate whether you need a wheelchair immediately upon arriving at the airport, for moving through the terminal, for boarding the aircraft, or at your final destination. You should also specify if you require a standard wheelchair or have any particular needs, such as a battery-powered wheelchair.
Arrive Early:
Plan to arrive at the airport earlier than usual. This will allow sufficient time for check-in, security screening, and boarding. If you are travelling with a battery-powered wheelchair, some airlines may require you to arrive one hour prior to the normal check-in time.
Confirm with All Airlines:
If your journey involves multiple airlines or connecting flights, remember to confirm your accessibility needs with each airline involved. This ensures that your request is noted and can be accommodated by all carriers.
Self-Identify at the Airport:
When you arrive at the airport, it is important to self-identify as a passenger with a disability who requires assistance. Approach airline staff or a gate agent and clearly state your need for a wheelchair. Although you may have requested assistance in advance, this extra step helps confirm your identity and ensures that the airline provides the requested services promptly.
By following these steps and requesting a wheelchair in advance, you can help ensure a smoother travel experience and receive the necessary assistance at the airport.
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Self-identifying as a passenger with a disability
When travelling, it is important to self-identify as a passenger with a disability who needs assistance. Airlines are required to provide assistance to passengers with disabilities, but they will not know that you are the person who requested assistance if you do not self-identify. This can be done when booking or managing your trip, or by informing a team member at the airport on the day of travel. It is recommended that you request wheelchair assistance in advance, but you can also inform a team member at the airport about your wheelchair needs on the day of travel. If you are travelling with a battery-powered wheelchair, you must arrive at the airport 1 hour prior to the normal check-in time.
If you bring your own mobility device, you can check in at an airport kiosk and then head to your gate. If you requested a wheelchair service, meet with an airline representative for guidance to the Special Services check-in or the closest wheelchair staging area. If you have a non-battery-operated wheelchair or mobility device, you may be able to store your wheelchair on board. Ask a gate agent about this option on your day of travel. If you need to check your device at the gate, it will be returned to you at the gate for use at your destination or connecting airport.
In situations where there is uncertainty about the access needs of a passenger, a carrier may ask the passenger for credible verbal assurance that the service is needed and how it assists with their disability. For example, a carrier may ask, "How does the requested wheelchair service assist with your disability?" If the passenger does not have a disability, the carrier may refuse to provide the wheelchair service.
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Wheelchair assistance for non-disabled passengers
Wheelchair assistance is available at most airports for passengers with disabilities who need help moving through the airport. This assistance is provided by the airline and may include helping the passenger from the terminal entrance or vehicle drop-off point to the gate location, through security, and onto the aircraft to their seat. Similar assistance is provided for connecting flights.
To receive wheelchair assistance, passengers must typically self-identify as a person with a disability who requires this service. This can be done when booking the flight by selecting 'Add special assistance' or by informing a team member at the airport. It is recommended that passengers request wheelchair assistance in advance to ensure availability. Additionally, passengers with battery-powered wheelchairs may be required to arrive at the airport earlier than the standard check-in time.
In some cases, airlines may ask the passenger for verbal assurance that the requested wheelchair service assists with their disability. This inquiry must not focus on the nature of the passenger's disability but rather on how the service will assist them. For example, a carrier may ask, "How does the requested wheelchair service assist with your disability?"
It is important to note that airlines are not obligated to provide wheelchair assistance to passengers who do not have reduced mobility. If a passenger requests wheelchair assistance but does not have a disability, the carrier may refuse to provide the service. Therefore, wheelchair assistance at airports is primarily intended for passengers with disabilities or those who have difficulty walking long distances.
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Bringing your own wheelchair or mobility device
If you are bringing your own wheelchair or mobility device, it is important to be aware of the different policies and procedures that may be in place at the airport and with your airline. Here are some key things to keep in mind:
Advance Request and Self-Identification:
When booking your flight, it is recommended to request wheelchair assistance in advance. Many airlines offer this option through their websites or mobile apps. However, if you are unable to make the request beforehand, you can always inform a team member at the airport about your wheelchair needs on the day of travel. It is crucial to self-identify as a passenger with a disability and needing assistance. While your reservation may indicate your need for assistance, the airline staff will not know it is you unless you verbally confirm it.
Arrival Time and Check-In:
If you are travelling with a battery-powered wheelchair, it is advisable to arrive at the airport one hour earlier than the standard check-in time. This allows for any additional procedures or assistance you may require. When you arrive at the airport, proceed to the designated check-in area, which may be a special services desk or a specific wheelchair staging area. You may be required to provide a Mobility Device Handling Form to the ticket agent, so ensure you have it ready.
Storage and Transportation of Your Mobility Device:
Different airlines have varying policies regarding the storage and transportation of personal mobility devices. If your wheelchair is non-battery operated and collapsible, you may be able to store it on board. However, always confirm with a gate agent before boarding to ensure your device meets the size restrictions for approved storage spaces. Some battery-operated devices may be stowed upright in the cargo hold, while others might need to be disassembled and checked separately. Review the airline's guidelines and consult the device manufacturer for specific instructions.
Additional Services and Accommodations:
Airports and airlines often provide a range of additional services and accommodations for passengers with reduced mobility. These may include priority entry, assistance through security and immigration, and guidance to your gate. If you require assistance beyond wheelchair services, such as help with hearing important flight information or checking in, inform the airline staff, and they will make the necessary arrangements. Additionally, if you use other assistive devices, such as canes, walkers, or crutches, these can typically be accommodated on board or checked at the gate.
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Additional services for passengers with reduced mobility
When booking a flight, passengers with reduced mobility can request wheelchair assistance. This can be done by selecting 'Add special assistance' when booking or managing your trip online or via an app, or by calling a special assistance phone at the airport. If you are travelling with a battery-powered wheelchair, you must arrive at the airport 1 hour prior to the normal check-in time.
Once at the airport, passengers with reduced mobility should self-identify as needing assistance to airline staff. The airline is then required to provide prompt assistance, which may include guiding a visually impaired person or providing a wheelchair. This assistance includes helping the passenger from the terminal entrance or vehicle drop-off point to the gate, through security, and onto the aircraft to their seat. On arrival, assistance is provided from the aircraft seat through the airport to the gate location of a connecting flight, if applicable.
Some airlines offer specific services for passengers with reduced mobility. For example, Delta Air Lines transports both manual and battery-powered mobility devices. They also provide in-flight wheelchair services, with wheelchairs that fit in the aircraft aisles and most lavatories. American Airlines offers early boarding and seat belt extensions for passengers with reduced mobility.
At Delhi Airport, staff are trained to assist passengers with reduced mobility and are available at information desks across the terminal building. Motorized wheelchairs are also available on a chargeable basis to passengers travelling from T3 at Indira Gandhi International Airport.
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Frequently asked questions
You can request a wheelchair when making your reservation by selecting 'Add special assistance' or by calling the airline. You can also inform a team member at the airport about your wheelchair needs on the day of travel.
Yes, it is recommended that you arrive at the airport as early as possible to allow time for check-in, security screening, and boarding. If you are travelling with a battery-powered wheelchair, you must arrive at the airport one hour prior to the normal check-in time.
If you bring your own wheelchair or mobility device, you can check in at an airport kiosk or through the airline's app. You will then need to meet with an airline representative for guidance to the Special Services check-in or the closest wheelchair staging area. Make sure to review the airline's guidelines for transporting mobility devices, as some may need to be disassembled or checked at the gate.
In addition to wheelchair assistance, many airports offer special assistance phones, sign language interpretation, and guided assistance for individuals who are blind or have low vision. Some airports also provide motorized wheelchairs or golf carts for transport within the airport.
