Roberta Aguirre
Anyone who needs a wheelchair at the airport can request one. Airlines are required to provide assistance to passengers with disabilities or limited mobility, and this includes providing a wheelchair. This assistance is free, but requests should be made in advance. If you have your own wheelchair, you can usually take it with you, but you may need to check it in.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can use a wheelchair at airports? | Anyone who asks for it. |
| Do I need to provide a reason? | No. |
| Do I need to provide documentation? | No. |
| How do I request a wheelchair? | Contact the airline's customer service line, submit a request through the airline's app or website, or request it at the check-in desk. |
| When should I request a wheelchair? | As early as possible, preferably at least 48 hours before your flight. |
| What happens after I request a wheelchair? | An airline representative will arrange for a wheelchair and staff to escort you through the airport. |
| Can I use my own wheelchair? | Yes, but you must arrive at the airport earlier than the normal check-in time. |
| What if I need assistance during the flight? | Airlines have special aisle chairs to help passengers with severe mobility impairments board the plane and move around during the flight. |
| What if I have a battery-powered wheelchair or mobility device? | You must arrive at the airport earlier than the normal check-in time. Some devices may be stowed in the cargo hold, while others may need to be disassembled and checked. |
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What You'll Learn
- Wheelchair assistance is available to anyone who asks for it, regardless of disability or medical history
- Requesting wheelchair assistance in advance is recommended, but it can also be arranged on the day of travel
- Airlines are required to provide assistance to passengers with disabilities in navigating through different airport sections
- Passengers with their own electric or battery-powered wheelchairs must arrive at the airport one hour before the normal check-in time
- Wheelchair assistants are available to help travellers with security checkpoints, the terminal, and the gate
Wheelchair assistance is available to anyone who asks for it, regardless of disability or medical history
Wheelchair assistance at airports is available to anyone who asks for it, regardless of disability or medical history. This is a free service, but it's important to request it in advance. Most airlines ask that you make your request at least 48 hours before your flight, but it's better to request assistance as early as possible.
When you arrive at the airport, head to your airline's check-in desk and inform the airline representative that you need wheelchair assistance. They will arrange for a wheelchair and staff to escort you through the airport. If you have your own electric or battery-powered wheelchair, you must arrive at the airport one hour prior to the normal check-in time.
If you've already booked your flight and forgot to request wheelchair assistance, you can call the airline's customer service line or submit your request online. You should inform them about your assistance needs, and they will be able to add the request to your flight details. Some airports and airlines also have a specific special assistance form on their website, which you can use to request assistance services.
When you arrive at the airport, it's important to self-identify as a passenger with a disability needing assistance. Although the airline may have noted in your reservation that you need assistance, they will not know that you are the person who requested it unless you self-identify. You should also advise airline personnel at the boarding gate of any assistance you may need, such as pre-boarding or assistance with carry-on luggage.
It's important to note that while wheelchair assistance is available to anyone who asks for it, those who do not truly need it are encouraged not to use this service. By doing so, you could be making someone who really needs a wheelchair wait.
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Requesting wheelchair assistance in advance is recommended, but it can also be arranged on the day of travel
If you are unable to walk long distances, it is advisable to request a wheelchair when making your reservation. This can usually be done by selecting 'Add special assistance' when booking your trip online or via an app. You can also inform the airline of your wheelchair needs by contacting their special assistance coordinators, who can help with arrangements for customers with disabilities, medical requirements, service animals, or pregnancy.
If you are travelling with a battery-powered wheelchair, you may need to arrive at the airport earlier than the standard check-in time. It is also important to confirm your accessibility needs with all airlines involved in your journey, as each airline may have different wheelchair policies.
While requesting in advance is recommended, wheelchair assistance can also be arranged on the day of travel. If you did not request assistance ahead of time, you can inform a team member at the airport about your wheelchair needs. This can be done at the check-in desk, where staff should have a wheelchair ready if your reservation was properly made. You can also request a wheelchair from skycaps at the departures curb, who can assist you through security and to your gate.
Regardless of whether you request assistance in advance or on the day of travel, it is important to self-identify as a passenger with a disability who needs assistance. This can be done by notifying airline personnel at the boarding gate of the assistance you require, such as pre-boarding, help with carry-on luggage, or moving within the aircraft.
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Airlines are required to provide assistance to passengers with disabilities in navigating through different airport sections
It is important to note that anyone with a disability that requires a wheelchair is entitled to use one at airports. This includes those with mobility impairments or those who are blind and require assistance navigating through the airport.
Airlines are required to provide assistance to passengers with disabilities as they navigate through different sections of the airport. This includes helping passengers from the terminal entrance or vehicle drop-off point to the gate location, including the security checkpoint, and onto the aircraft to their seat. Airlines must also provide assistance to passengers with disabilities when disembarking the aircraft, helping them from their seat to the gate location of their connecting flight, if applicable.
In addition, airlines must ensure that their facilities are accessible and usable by passengers with disabilities. This includes providing an accessible route between the gate and the aircraft boarding location, such as ramps or mechanical lifts for passengers who require assistance in moving between levels. Airlines must also provide service animal relief areas at the airport and are required to escort passengers and their service animals to these areas upon request.
Furthermore, airlines must provide assistance to passengers with disabilities in carrying their gate-checked or carry-on luggage if they are unable to do so due to their disability. Airlines are also required to offer pre-boarding to passengers with disabilities who require additional time or assistance. This includes assistance with seating, stowing accessibility equipment, and moving to and from seats.
Passengers with disabilities who have questions about their rights or require assistance can speak to the airline's CRO (Complaints Resolution Official), which must be available at each airport served by the airline during its operating hours. Additionally, the DOT (Department of Transportation) provides a Disability Hotline for passengers to call with any queries or complaints regarding their treatment by the airline based on their disability.
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Passengers with their own electric or battery-powered wheelchairs must arrive at the airport one hour before the normal check-in time
If you are a passenger with reduced mobility, you can use a wheelchair at the airport. Airlines are required to provide assistance to passengers with a disability as they navigate through different portions of the airport, including from the terminal entrance to the gate location and onto the aircraft to your seat. This also applies to your arrival at your destination airport, where staff will help you from your aircraft seat to the gate location of your connecting flight (if you have one).
To receive such assistance, you must self-identify to airline staff at the airport as a person with a disability who needs this service. Although the airline may have noted in your reservation that you need assistance, they will not know that you are the person who requested that assistance if you do not self-identify.
If you are travelling with your own electric or battery-powered wheelchair, you must arrive at the airport one hour before the normal check-in time. This is to allow for the check-in process and for staff to stow your wheelchair in the cargo hold. You do not need to check your wheelchair in until you are at the gate, and airlines are required to return wheelchairs to users as close as possible to the door of the aircraft if requested.
It is recommended that you provide notice that you will be travelling with a personal wheelchair in advance whenever possible, so that the airline can best accommodate you. You should also confirm with the airline that your wheelchair will fit in the cargo hold if you are travelling on a small plane, such as a commuter aircraft or regional jet.
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Wheelchair assistants are available to help travellers with security checkpoints, the terminal, and the gate
Wheelchair assistance is available at most airports to help travellers with security checkpoints, the terminal, and the gate. This service is typically provided by the airlines themselves or by companies that they contract. It is available to any traveller who requests it, with no requirement for documentation or explanation. This includes travellers with their own wheelchairs, as well as those who need assistance navigating the airport due to mobility issues or visual impairments.
To receive wheelchair assistance, travellers should request it when booking their flight or by contacting the airline in advance. Some airlines also allow requests to be made online or via an app. When arriving at the airport, travellers should identify themselves to the relevant personnel as requiring assistance. This is important, even if the need for assistance has been noted in the reservation, as the airline will not know who specifically requires the service.
Wheelchair assistants are typically available from the moment of a traveller's arrival at the airport. They help travellers through security checkpoints and the terminal to reach their gate. This includes assistance from the terminal entrance or vehicle drop-off point to the gate location, as well as through security checkpoints. Travellers using their own electric or battery-powered wheelchairs are usually required to arrive at the airport earlier than the standard check-in time.
At the gate, travellers are required to give up their personal wheelchairs, which will be returned upon reaching their destination. Travellers who are unable to walk will be transported to their aircraft seat using an aisle chair. Additionally, travellers can request assistance with carry-on luggage, both during check-in and when stowing or retrieving luggage on the aircraft. It is important to note that travellers needing constant care or unable to follow safety instructions must travel with a safety assistant, and a ticket may need to be purchased for this assistant.
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Frequently asked questions
No, you do not need to provide any documentation or a description for your need. However, you must self-identify as a passenger with a disability and request assistance.
You can request a wheelchair when you book your flight or by calling the airline's customer service line. Some airlines also have a specific assistance form on their website.
Yes, it is recommended that you arrive at the airport at least two hours before your flight. If you are travelling with a battery-powered wheelchair, you must arrive one hour before the normal check-in time.
Yes, you can request a wheelchair even if you can walk. However, please do not use this service if you do not need it, as you could be taking the wheelchair from someone who does.
Yes, you can take your own wheelchair on the plane. You will need to check it in and be available to board at least 30 minutes before departure for non-electric wheelchairs, and 45 minutes before departure for electric wheelchairs.
