The U.S. Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) of 1986 prohibits airlines from discriminating on the basis of disability and affects accessibility features in terminals and aboard aircraft operated by U.S. and foreign airlines operating to, from, and in the United States.  As a result, air travel for people with disabilities has become more accessible.  However, there are a few things persons with disabilities should remember and prepare for when traveling by air.

Tips for Air Travel

1. Plan Ahead

2. Be Assertive

3. Research Airlines

4. Navigating Airport Security

5. For Passengers with Mobility Disabilities

6. For Passengers with Visual and Hearing Disabilities

7. For Passengers with Non-Apparent Disabilities

8. Real-Time Airline Access Hotline

9. Airplane Liquid Carry-on Luggage Rules for People with Disabilities

Plan Ahead

• Whenever possible, plan and book flights well in advance and inform travel agents and airline representatives of the following:

1. Type of disability and equipment aids such as canes, crutches or wheelchairs (manual or power).
2. Special dietary requirements or need for assistance at meals (airline personnel are not required to help with eating, but should assist with opening packages and identifying food).
3. Whether another person will accompany the disabled traveler.

• Call the airline directly to ensure that all disability-related needs will be met.  Ask for the name and position of each person you speak with and record this information.
• Make arrangements for travel to and from airports. Many U.S. companies like taxis and airport shuttles offer this service free of charge.  Make these arrangements well in advance along with your flight arrangements to avoid frustration upon arrival and departure.
• Arrive at the airport one-hour earlier than normally advised.  This will allow time for accommodations to be made and avoid delays.
• You may want to consider varying the lengths of your flights depending on disability-related needs.  Long flights may be uncomfortable, especially for people who cannot use inaccessible airplane toilets.  Shorter connecting flights may be a better alternative.
• Allow at least 90 minutes between connecting flights (or longer if required to pass through immigration and customs during a layover) in order to ensure enough time to transfer between gates.
• You may request an escort through security to your boarding gate as this can speed up the security screening process and help you travel through the airport more quickly, but the escort may be required to obtain a pass to go through screening check-points without a ticket.  An escort may also be requested between transfer gates as this can help when there is a tight connection to be made.
• Carry personal supplies such as medications (in original containers with prescription), eyeglasses, hearing aid equipment, or other such essentials in your carry-on bag

Return to Tips for Air Travel

Be Assertive

• Be prepared to be flexible and ready to deal with difficult situations.
• Know the policies of an airline before arriving at the airport.  Knowledge is power and knowing ahead of time what policies are can expedite the boarding process and save a lot of potential hassle. 
• Be assertive about your needs and insist upon the services necessary to complete a flight.
• When possible, carry copies of the specific airline policy to support requests in interactions with airline staff.  Contact the Customer or “Special Services” department of each airline to request copies of policies on the rights of passengers with disabilities.

Return to Tips for Air Travel

Research Airlines

• Advance research and comparison-shopping are crucial to having a successful flight, as even airlines with the best records can be inconsistent.
• It should be noted that airlines in other countries have significantly different policies regarding service for people with disabilities.  Some European airlines have excellent reputations for being very cooperative and helpful to people with disabilities.  Others may have virtually no experience with people with disabilities.
• Some foreign air carriers may require a medical certificate for all independent air travel by people with disabilities or may even require a personal assistant. For more information, read this section of our personal assistant tip sheet.

Return to Tips for Air Travel

Navigating Airport Security

• Individuals with disabilities must undergo the same security screening process as other passengers – be patient and cooperative, but know your rights.
• If an assistive device can be passed through the security screener without setting it off, it need not be subject to further screening.  However, if it does set it off or looks like it could contain a prohibited device or substance, then it will be subject to further screening.
• If any person requests a private screening, that screening must be accommodated.  If it is requested in a timely manner, airport personnel must complete the screening in time for the passenger to board his/her plane.
• The limit of one carry-on bag and one personal bag (purse or briefcase) does not apply to medical supplies and/or assistive devices.

Return to Tips for Air Travel

For Passengers with Mobility Disabilities

• For travel on U.S. airlines, people who do not own a wheelchair, but need to use one at the airport, can request one and assistance from airline personnel.
• Airline personnel will assist passengers who cannot walk to transfer from a wheelchair to an aisle chair (narrow wheelchair) in order to reach their seats.
• Be prepared to instruct airline personnel on the best way to offer assistance during the boarding process.
• Travelers using a manual wheelchair can request that their own personal wheelchair be checked at the gate of the aircraft and be brought to the gate upon landing.  It will be stored in the cabin if there is room or in the luggage compartment if not.
• Single-aisle airplanes do not have accessible restrooms, so alternative arrangements need to be made or book flights on double-aisle planes. For those who may need frequent access to toilet facilities, toilets are available at all points at the airport once through passport control and at the boarding gates, so booking shorter segment flights may help.
• Stowage of a folding wheelchair has priority over the carry-on luggage of other passengers, but does not require removal of carry-on baggage of passengers who boarded at an earlier stop.
• Passengers using a power wheelchair should see the Guide to Electrical Adapters, Converters and Transformers for International Travel with Power Wheelchairs and Other Electrical Devices tip sheet.
• Passengers traveling with a service animal should see the Guide Dogs and Service Animals tipsheet

Return to Tips for Air Travel

For Passengers with Visual and Hearing Disabilities

• Passengers with visual disabilities may ask at check-in to have the assistance of a sighted guide to airport gates or can ask that a gate agent be alerted to their arrival and arrange assistance as needed.
• For passengers with hearing disabilities, telescreens are provided in most airports and U.S. airlines offer captioned safety videos. 

Return to Tips for Air Travel

For Passengers with Non-Apparent Disabilities

• In order to get prompt and appropriate assistance, travelers with non-apparent disabilities need to be particularly assertive and articulate.

For All Passengers with Disabilities - Step by Step Guide

If you will be using British airlines, you may want to read up on incidents that took place in 2006 in the United Kingdom, in violation of the U.S. Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), and the decisions in which they resulted: U.S. D.O.T.: British Airways Violations 

Return to Tips for Air Travel

Real-time Airline Access Hotline  

• A toll-free hotline is available seven days a week, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. EST, to provide assistance on the spot or for upcoming trips and can be a great resource if and when difficulties arise. 

    Voice (800) 778-4838
    TTY   (800) 455-9880

Return to Tips for Air Travel

Airplane Liquid Carry-on Luggage Rules for People with Disabilities

The TSA has partially lifted its ban instituted in August 2006 regarding liquids, gels and items of similar consistency on planes, and there are many exceptions for people with disabilities who travel with gels, eye drops and prosthetic equipment that is gel-filled.

Security, liquid carry on restrictions and air travel for people with disabilities exceptions:

• Liquid prescription medicine with a name that matches the passenger’s ticket. Passengers needing over the counter items such as lubricants for catheterizing, liquid nutritional supplements and similar items while in flight should obtain a doctor's note. Also, be prepared to have all such items thoroughly inspected and to answers question regarding their use.  
• Up to 5 oz. (148ml) of liquid or gel low blood sugar treatment
• Up to 4 oz. of essential non-prescription liquid medications including saline solution, eye care products and KY jelly.
• Gel-filled bras and similar prostethics
• Gel-filled wheelchair cushions
• Life support and life sustaining liquids such as bone marrow, blood products, and transplant organs carried for medical reasons.
• Toiletries such as shampoo, lotion, toothpaste etc. must be in 3 oz. containers (i.e. travel size) and  packed in a one quart plastic baggie. All other liquids will continue to be confiscated at security check points. For more information click here.
• Small amounts of baby formula and breast milk if a baby or small child is traveling. While baby formula and breast milk will be permitted past the screening checkpoint and on board, please be aware that these items will be subject to physical inspection. You will not be required to taste these liquids in the presence of a security officer. 

For more security screening information specific to passengers with disabilities please see, Travelers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions.

To review other items not permitted onboard and aircraft please see Prohibited Items.

Passengers should expect delays getting through security and allow plenty of extra time by arriving at the airport well before flight times.

Return to Tips for Air Travel

_{Although efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, MIUSA/NCDE cannot be held liable for inaccuracy, misinterpretation or complaints arising from these listings. Mention of an organization, company, service or resource should not be construed as an endorsement by MIUSA/NCDE. Please advise NCDE of any inaccuracies you may find.}