Getting help at the airport may seem impossible. In fact, you can ask the airline crew of the carrier to assist you. But wheelchair assistance may not be provided on the spur of the moment. You will have to book it at the time of booking the ticket or request it after booking. The process is online on most airlines. But there are a few exceptions also. Here is how airlines offer wheelchair assistance in airport.
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Call the airline at least 48 hours before departure.
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Use the live chat of the airline.
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Fill up a form for assistance on the airline’s website.
It is always a good idea to give details of the assistance you would need. Airlines need it to ensure they have the right resources at the airport. In this Air1Network blog we will be describing all the ways to seek wheelchair assistance in airport.
How much does it Cost to take a Wheelchair on a Plane?
None of the airlines has so far imposed a cost on taking a wheelchair. Because in many countries including US and UK, airlines are supposed to make air travel accessible for passengers. Since this is part of the passenger’s rights.
A wheelchair is not considered checked baggage. Which is why you do not have to pay a cost for checking it. But this is not to say that airlines will allow wheelchairs unconditionally. Here are a few things which may restrict your ability from getting airline wheelchair assistance.
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Size of the wheelchair - The cargo hold of a few aircraft has limitations on accommodating large wheelchairs.
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The kind of wheelchair you have - Battery-powered wheelchairs will require special precautions.
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Attachments to the wheelchair - If they add to the size of wheelchair, you may have to detach them and carry them along with you.
When booking a flight ticket wheelchair may be requested simultaneously. For assistance or details, you can contact Air1Network.
How to Request Wheelchair at Airport?
You have to request a wheelchair at the time of booking your ticket. If you need airport handicap assistance urgently you may retrieve the booking on the airline website or app and submit your request. A few airlines have online forms for seeking special assistance. You may fill up the form and submit it online. The form has columns for specifying the kind of assistance you would need. Here are a few tips if you are looking for airline disability assistance.
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Arrive at least 3 hours before departure - Extra time is needed to prepare the wheelchair for checking.
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Carry with you the manufacturer’s manual - The airline crew may need it for preparing the wheelchair for safe checking.
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Take the battery of wheelchair along with you - If it is a detachable Lithium-Ion battery, you will have to keep it in the carry-on.
How does Wheelchair Assistance work at airports?
Wheelchair assistance is a type of special assistance. In addition to other airline assistance, wheelchair assistance will require your prior intimation. Most airlines want you to give a prior notice up to 48 hours before departure. Airlines do not guarantee carriage of your personal wheelchair if you inform within 48 hours of departure. Here are a few things you should know about how wheelchair assistance works at airports.
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Inform the airline crew on reaching airport - The wheelchair attendant will transfer you from the drop-off point to check-in desk.
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Checking of the wheelchair - Wheelchairs may be checked without paying airport wheelchair assistance cost. A wheelchair is not counted as part of the checked baggage allowance.
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Online check-in for the flight is not allowed - Passengers with special assistance will not be able to check-in online.
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On arrival at destination - An attendant may assist you with disembarking and transfer you to the baggage hall. You will find your wheelchair waiting for you.
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Customer-resolution officers (CROs) - A few airlines have CROs to assist those who need special assistance.
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At connecting airports - If you have connections, you may find wheelchair attendants at the connecting airport.
We agree that airports are busy places. But you can always call the airline’s customer service. A few airlines have dedicated numbers for disabled. You may find these numbers on airline’s website. For details or assistance you may visit or contact Air1Network.