Wheelchair Support: Free Airport Service For Disabled Passengers

If you have mobility issues, getting from the airport curb to the gate for your flight can be challenging. The good news is that wheelchair assistance is available at airports, and it's free of charge. The 1986 Air Carrier Access Act requires airlines to provide free wheelchair service to any traveller who requests it, without requiring proof of disability. This service is designed to help individuals with disabilities or reduced mobility navigate through the airport, from the terminal entrance to the gate, and even onto the aircraft to their seat. It's important to make requests for wheelchair assistance in advance, ideally when booking your flight, to ensure the service is available when needed.

Wheelchair assistance is a free service provided by the US Department of Transportation

When a passenger with a disability requests assistance from an airline to move through the airport, the airline is required to promptly provide the requested assistance. This assistance may be in the form of a wheelchair or guide assistance for individuals with vision impairments. To receive such assistance, the passenger must identify themselves to airline staff at the airport as a person with a disability requiring assistance.

Airlines are required to provide assistance to passengers with disabilities as they navigate through different areas of the airport, including the terminal entrance, security checkpoints, and the aircraft. This also includes assistance with carry-on luggage and gate-checked luggage if passengers are unable to carry it themselves due to their disability. Additionally, passengers with disabilities are allowed to board the plane before other passengers and are entitled to stay in their own wheelchair until they reach the gate.

It is recommended that passengers request wheelchair assistance in advance when booking their trip or managing their trip through the airline's website or app. However, passengers can also inform a team member at the airport about their wheelchair needs on the day of travel.

Anyone who self-identifies as disabled to airport personnel is entitled to assistance

To receive such assistance, the passenger must self-identify to airline staff at the airport as a person with a disability and requiring this service. This can be done when booking your trip online, by calling the airline, or by informing a team member at the airport about your needs on the day of travel. It is recommended that you request wheelchair assistance in advance, and most airlines ask that you make such requests at least 48 hours before your flight.

When providing assistance, airlines are required to assist passengers with a disability as they navigate through different portions of the airport. This includes assisting you from the terminal entrance or vehicle drop-off point to the gate location, including through the security checkpoint and onto the aircraft to your seat. If you have your own wheelchair, you are entitled to stay in it until you get to the gate. If you cannot walk, you will be transported to your aircraft seat using an aisle chair. Airlines must also assist you from the gate location of your arriving flight through the airport to the baggage claim area, terminal entrance, or vehicle pick-up location.

In addition to wheelchair assistance, airlines are required to assist passengers with a disability in carrying their gate-checked or carry-on luggage if they are unable to do so themselves. They must also not leave a passenger with a disability unattended for more than 30 minutes. Airlines are also required to allow passengers with a disability to board the airplane before other passengers if they self-identify as needing additional time or assistance to board.

Airlines are required to provide assistance to passengers with disabilities in key function areas of the airport

Wheelchair assistance at airports is free, but it is important to request it in advance. Airlines are required to provide assistance to passengers with disabilities in key function areas of the airport, such as the ticket counter and baggage claim. This assistance may include guide assistance for individuals who are blind or wheelchair assistance for those with mobility impairments.

When a passenger with a disability requests assistance, the airline must promptly provide the requested assistance. This includes assisting the passenger from the terminal entrance or vehicle drop-off point to the gate location, through security, and onto the aircraft. If the passenger has a connecting flight, assistance should also be provided from the gate location of the arriving flight to the gate location of the connecting flight. Upon arrival, assistance should be provided from the aircraft seat through the airport to the baggage claim area, terminal entrance, or vehicle pick-up location.

Airlines are also required to assist passengers with disabilities in carrying their gate-checked or carry-on luggage if they are unable to do so due to their disability. It is important to note that passengers must self-identify as individuals with a disability who need assistance to airline staff at the airport.

In addition, airlines cannot leave a passenger with a disability unattended for more than 30 minutes. This requirement applies even if the passenger is accompanied by another person, unless the passenger explicitly states that it is okay to be left unattended for a longer period.

Passengers with disabilities are allowed to board the plane before other passengers

Wheelchair assistance at airports is free, but requests need to be made in advance. When booking your flight, you should specify if you will require a wheelchair or cart upon arrival, as well as on the aircraft. Most airlines ask that these requests be made at least 48 hours in advance.

Airlines are also required to provide passengers with disabilities with assistance throughout the airport. This includes assistance from the terminal entrance to the gate, through security, and onto the aircraft. If you have a connecting flight, airline staff will assist you from the gate location of your arriving flight to your seat on the next aircraft. Upon arrival, they will help you from your seat to the baggage claim area, terminal entrance, or vehicle pick-up location.

Airlines must also assist passengers with disabilities in key functional areas of the airport, such as the ticket counter or baggage claim. They are required to help with carry-on or gate-checked luggage if a passenger is unable to carry it themselves due to their disability.

It is important to note that passengers must self-identify as having a disability and requiring assistance. While the airline may have noted this in your reservation, they will not know it is you if you do not identify yourself upon arrival.

Airlines must not leave a passenger with a disability unattended for more than 30 minutes

The Air Carrier Access Act of 1986 (ACAA) prohibits discrimination against passengers with disabilities by air carriers. The Act applies to:

• Any flight departing from an airport in the United States, regardless of the carrier.
• Any flight arriving at an airport in the United States, regardless of the carrier.
• Any flight operated by a carrier registered in the United States, including flights between two international destinations.

Under the ACAA, airlines must not leave a passenger with a disability unattended for more than 30 minutes. This includes passengers who are not independently mobile and are using a wheelchair or other device. This requirement applies even if the passenger is accompanied by another person, unless the passenger explicitly states that they are happy to be left unattended for longer than 30 minutes.

Airlines are required to provide prompt and timely assistance to passengers with disabilities, including:

• Assistance from the terminal entrance or vehicle drop-off point to the gate, including through security and onto the aircraft.
• Assistance from the aircraft to the gate of a connecting flight, and from the connecting gate to the seat on the next aircraft.
• Assistance from the seat of an arriving flight through the airport to the baggage claim, terminal entrance, or vehicle pick-up location.
• Assistance with carry-on or gate-checked luggage if the passenger is unable to carry it due to their disability.
• Assistance in key functional areas of the airport, such as ticket counters or baggage claim.

To receive assistance, passengers must self-identify as a person with a disability who needs the service. This can be done when booking the flight or by contacting the airline in advance. Most airlines ask that requests are made at least 48 hours before the flight. Wheelchair assistance is free of charge and does not require documentation. However, passengers should be aware that they may experience a wait for an escort and may not always receive priority at security checkpoints.

In addition to the above, airlines must also provide certain services onboard the aircraft to passengers with disabilities, including:

• Assistance with moving to and from seats.
• Assistance with preparing food, such as opening packages.
• Assistance with using the on-board wheelchair to access the lavatory.
• Assistance with loading and retrieving carry-on items and other assistive devices.

Frequently asked questions