How To Request Wheelchair Assistance At The Airport: Step-By-Step Guide For Travelers

Why Travelers Need Wheelchair Assistance

Travelers who have either medical issues or mobility issues and cannot walk on their own will need wheelchair assistance at the airport. This assistance comes directly from the airline with which the passenger has bought the flight ticket, or it is made available at the airport by the staff itself.

Who Qualifies for Wheelchair Support

Travelers who have either medical issues or mobility issues and cannot walk on their own will need wheelchair assistance at the airport.

How to Request Wheelchair Assistance During Booking

Most domestic and international airlines offer wheelchair assistance at the airports absolutely free. However, the passenger has to make the request for either wheel chair or cart during the time of booking the flight ticket online. If there is no such assistance available online, the passenger can directly call the respective airline and apprise the staff for wheelchair assistance. This will prevent the passengers from the last-minute inconveniences.  

How to Add Wheelchair Assistance After Booking

Just in case the passenger has forgotten to add the preference of wheelchair assistance at the time of booking his or her flight, s/he can do it afterwards in the following manner:

• Make a Log-in to the online booking and add request for the special assistance

• Call the customer service of your airline

• Contact directly with the assistance desk of the respective airport

The desired passengers should submit their need for wheelchair assistance at the airport at least 48 hours before the flight.  

Major Airlines Wheelchair Assistance Policy

What to Expect at the Airport on Travel Day

• Arrive earlier than usual. Generally, it is 2 hours before the scheduled flight in domestic travel and at least 3 hours in case of international travel. 
• Apprise your health condition as soon as you arrive at the airport to ensure quick and hassle-free wheelchair assistance. 
• Upon arrival at the airport, you can let the airport personnel apprise about the need for wheelchair assistance. In case you have already made a reservation for the wheelchair, the check-in desk of the respective airline will have the wheelchair ready.  The assistant will then get you through the security checkpoints and the terminal and finally to the boarding gate.  

Boarding and Deplaning with Wheelchair Help

The carrier should provide assistance, which is either requested by or on behalf of passengers having either partial or full disability. Such assistance is usually offered by carrier or airport operator personnel and willingly acceptable to the passengers having disability, during the time of enplaning or boarding and deplaning or deboarding. This assistance is for instant availability of ground wheelchairs, motorized carts, boarding wheelchairs, and/or on-board wheelchairs.

Tips for a Hassle-Free Wheelchair Assistance Experience

• Opt for the special service request at the time of booking for wheelchair assistance at the airport.
• Get in touch with the airline after the flight booking and confirm your request for wheelchair assistance.
• Give the details with respect to the type of wheelchair, its dimension, weight and the battery type in case it is a powered wheel chair.
• Arrive earlier than usual. Generally, it is 2 hours before the scheduled flight in domestic travel and at least 3 hours in case of international travel. 
• Apprise your health condition as soon as you arrive at the airport to ensure quick and hassle-free wheelchair assistance. 

Conclusion

Make sure that you look for the protocols of gaining hassle free wheelchair assistance at the airport. The sooner you book a wheelchair at the airport, the better the mobility. Finally, do not make any undue delays or else this delay is going to hit you hard. 

Faqs

Q: How do I request wheelchair assistance at the airport?
A: Wheelchair assistance is undoubtedly a complimentary service offered by airlines apart from the contracted airport service providers. You can request wheelchair assistance by using the App for the Check-in on the respective airline’s portal.  

Q: Is wheelchair assistance at airports free?
A: Most domestic and international airlines offer wheelchair assistance at the airports absolutely free. However, the passenger has to make the request for either wheel chair or cart during the time of booking.  This will prevent the passengers from the last-minute inconveniences.  

Q: Can I get help from check-in to the gate?
A: Upon arrival at the airport, you can let the airport personnel apprise about the need for wheelchair assistance. In case you have already made a reservation for the wheelchair, the check-in desk of the respective airline will have the wheelchair ready.  The assistant will then get you through the security checkpoints and the terminal and finally to the boarding gate.  

Q: Do I need medical documents for wheelchair help?
A: There is no need to produce medical documents for wheelchair assistance at the airport. The assistance is free of cost provided at the airport.  In fact, the US has enforced wheelchair assistance under the Air Carrier Access Act. 

Q: Will someone help me during boarding?

A: There are airline’s personnels besides specialized individuals on the airport who will provide guidance to the passengers requiring wheelchair assistance. 

Q: Can I request wheelchair assistance at the last minute?
A: You will have wheelchair assistance from the respective airline but for that you will have to apprise the airline 48 hours to at least a week before the airplane boarding.   

Q: Will my personal wheelchair be transported?
A: According to the Air Carrier Access Act, which is in effect in the USA, it is easy to travel with your wheelchair, irrespective of the fact that it runs on the manual or powered mode. The airline has no authorization to ignore the transportation of your private wheelchair irrespective of the size or weight.