Air Travel Tips for People with Disabilities
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filed under:
Physical Disability
Adapted from Mobility International USA’s Building Bridges: A Manual on Including People with Disabilities in International Exchange
The U.S. Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) of 1986 prohibits discrimination in airline service on the basis of disability. Subsequent amendments to the ACAA set standards for topics including boarding assistance via lift devices for smaller aircraft, where level entry boarding is unavailable, seating accommodations for passengers with disabilities, reimbursement for loss of or damage to wheelchairs, terminal accessibility, and more. As a result, air travel for people with disabilities has become more accessible. In 2008, the Department of Transportation amended the Air Carrier Access Act rules to apply to foreign carriers operating flights to and from the United States. The final amendment also adds new provisions concerning passengers who use medical oxygen and passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing. These amendments to the ACAA became effective on May 13, 2009.
For the many thousands of disabled people who travel by air in the European Union, on July 26, 2007 a Europe-wide law requiring airports and airlines to meet the needs of disabled air passengers came into force. This is the second stage of a European Regulation (1107/2006) which focuses on the rights of disabled people and people with reduced mobility in air travel.
In addition to knowing one's rights under the various laws, there are a few things persons with disabilities should remember and prepare for when traveling by air.
Tips for Air Travel
Plan Ahead
- Whenever possible, plan and book flights well in advance and inform travel agents and airline representatives of the following:
- Type of disability and equipment aids such as canes, crutches or wheelchairs (manual or power).
- Special dietary requirements or need for assistance at meals (airline personnel are not permitted to assist with eating, but should assist with opening packages and identifying food items on a meal tray).
- 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.
- Air carriers must provide enplaning and deplaning assistance requested by passengers with disabilities, including assistance beyond the screener checkpoints, and between connecting gates, but have discretion in how this assistance is provided. You may also request that an unticketed individual assist you through security to your boarding gate, but individuals who wish to assist passengers with disabilities beyond the screener checkpoint will be required to present themselves at the airline’s check-in desk and receive a "pass" allowing them to go through the screener checkpoint without a ticket.
- Carry personal supplies such as medications (in original containers with prescription), eyeglasses, hearing aid equipment, or other such essentials in your carry-on bag
Be Assertive
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Be prepared to be flexible and ready to deal with difficult situations.
- Be familiar with the main provisions of the Air Carrier Access Act and airline policies.
- Knowledge is power and familiarity with airline policies can expedite the boarding process and save a lot of potential hassle.
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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.
Research Airlines
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Advance research and comparison-shopping are crucial to having a successful flight, as even airlines with the best records can be inconsistent.
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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.
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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. If you do not need to travel with a personal assistant, U.S. and Canadian rulings protect passengers with disabilities from being required to bring one, including on foreign flights to/from the United States. For more information, read this section of our personal assistant tip sheet.
Navigating Airport Security
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Individuals with disabilities must undergo the same security screening process as other passengers – be patient and cooperative, but know your rights.
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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.
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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.
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Assistive devices such as walking canes, once inspected to ensure prohibited items are not concealed, are permitted in the passenger cabin. Assistive devices such as augmentative communication devices and Braille note takers will go through the same sort of security screening process as that used for personal computers. However, passengers who have special equipment that cannot go through the x-ray machine should notify the screeners and request a physical/visual inspection of the equipment. A slate and stylus are permitted on board the aircraft after inspection; however, it may be necessary to advise the security screener of the purpose of the slate and stylus and that it facilitates the passenger's communications.
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Service animals, once inspected to ensure prohibited items are not concealed, are permitted on board an aircraft. Any equipment (including, but not limited to, harness, backpack, leash or collar) that is carried on the animal will be manually inspected. If necessary, remind the security screeners that the service animal's belongings should not be removed during the manual inspection.
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Syringes are permitted on board an aircraft once it is determined that the person has a documented medical need for the syringe. To show a documented medical need, a passenger must have in his or her possession medication that requires the use of a needle or syringe. The medication must have a professionally printed label identifying the medication or a manufacturer's name or a pharmaceutical label.
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Airport personnel in some countries may not be familiar with disability-related equipment such as insulin pumps and blood sugar meters, which can cause delays in clearing security. Carry documentation of all medical equipment to present to airport security during the screening process.
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The limit of one carry-on bag and one personal bag (purse or briefcase) does not apply to medical supplies and/or assistive devices (including service animals and their equipment). Passengers with disabilities generally may carry medical equipment, medications, and assistive devices on board the aircraft.
For Passengers with Mobility Disabilities
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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.
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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.
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Be prepared to instruct airline personnel on the best way to offer assistance during the boarding process.
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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.
- 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.
- Single-aisle airplanes do not have accessible restrooms, so alternative arrangements need to be made to compensate for inaccessible facilities. 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. Travelers may also wish to book flights on double-aisle planes.
- In some cases, international exchange participants who require assistance during travel may wish to request the assistance of a travel companion as a reasonable accommodation.
- 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.
- For more information about traveling with a service animal, please see the Guide Dogs and Service Animals tip sheet.
For Passengers with Vision and Hearing Disabilities
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Passengers with vision 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.
- Air carriers must ensure that qualified individuals with a disability, including those with vision or hearing disabilities, have timely access to information (such as new security measures) that the carriers provide to other passengers. For example, on flights to Reagan Washington National Airport, persons are verbally warned to use the restrooms more than half an hour before arrival since after that point in time passengers are required to remain in their seats. This can be accomplished through use of carrier personnel or alternative formats, such as visual messaging.
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For passengers with hearing disabilities, telescreens are provided in most airports and U.S. airlines offer captioned safety videos.
For Passengers with Non-Apparent Disabilities
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In order to get prompt and appropriate assistance, travelers with non-apparent disabilities may need to be particularly assertive and articulate.
- Airport escorts are sometimes available to guide individuals through the airport, which can be useful to people with autism, a brain injury or a developmental disability. In the United States an unticketed parent or personal assistant can receive a permit to pass through security at the originating airport. Some exchange programs may also arrange for participants to fly together as a group.
- Crossing time zones during air travel may present challenges related to taking medication or adjusting sleep schedules. Some travelers start to adjust their schedules gradually while in transit, while others change to a new schedule after adjusting to the new time zone. Consult with your physician and/or with experienced travelers with similar disabilities for guidance on making these adjustments.
- People who have difficulty handling unexpected situations or stress may wish to plan ahead for air travel by identifying coping mechanisms, such as listening to music on a portable electronic device, using ear plugs during flights, etc.
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
Real-time Airline Access Hotline
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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
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.
Exceptions to liquid carry-on restrictions for passengers with disabilities:
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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.
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.
