Essential guide: Going on a plane as a wheelchair user

Travelling abroad is one of the most exciting things you can do. As a wheelchair user, flying isn’t without its challenges, but there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy air travel – provided you’re prepared.

In this detailed guide, we’re going to take you through each step of the journey, providing information and advice to ensure you have a great trip. We’ve also included some expert tips from our globe-trotting Youth Board.

In this guide we’ll cover: 

• What disability aids you can travel with on an aeroplane
• Things to be aware of when booking a flight
• Where to sit on the plane
• What assistance is available at the airport for wheelchair users
• Top tips for air travel from the disability community

Before you travel

Facilities and allowances can vary depending on the airline and airport you use, so check out what they offer before making a decision.

Most airlines allow wheelchair users to take two pieces of mobility equipment at no additional cost. This shouldn’t be included as part of your baggage allowance, but it’s worth confirming with the airline (especially budget airlines!).

Check the weight of your wheelchair and ensure your battery meets the airline’s specifications. They may refuse boarding if it doesn’t.

If your journey requires a stopover with a connecting flight, make sure you allow enough time between flights to get from one place to another. 

Our community members suggest you’ll need at least 90 minutes to allow time to get to the next gate and use the toilet if you need to. The tie you’ll need depends on the size of the airport.

You should tell the airline at least 48 hours before departure about any wheelchair assistance needs. 

Tell the airline if you’re travelling with a companion so they can ensure you’re seated together.

Selecting the right seat

You should be able to choose your airplane seat. Many airlines will assume that the bulkhead seat (in the first row) is most convenient for wheelchair users, but it’s up to you.

You can’t move armrests in bulkhead seats, which means you will have to transfer or be lifted over one or more armrests to get into your seat. 

For this reason, the row behind the bulkhead, which has movable aisle armrests, may be more practical. For longer flights, you might want to choose a window seat, so that other travellers don’t have to cross over you to access the toilet, as that can be annoying.

It’s always best if you speak with the airline and work together to find the right seat for you and any travel companions.

Getting the support you need: SSR codes

When you request assistance as a wheelchair user, the airline will mark that on your ticket record using a special service request code (SSR). 

It’s important that your booking has the correct code(s) on it to make sure you get the right support.

This can be a bit complicated, so we’ve broken the process down below.

Once you’ve booked, check your reservation carefully to ensure it’s there and if you don’t see it, contact the airline to ensure they have the right code. 

The following codes are wheelchair specific:

These codes relate to other disability related assistance needs and may be used alongside those above:

If you spot an error or issue with the code, it’s important to speak to the airline as early as possible. Don’t leave it to the last minute!

At the airport

If you’re travelling to the airport by car, you can book accessible airport parking in advance. 

Blue Badge holders may be able to park at some UK airports free of charge, while others may give you some free time or discounted prices. You can check the airport’s website for its disabled parking policy for details. 

Airports have 24-hour assistance for getting to and from these parking spaces. Contact them before your flight if you need special assistance to ensure they’ll be ready and waiting for you.

Once you’re inside the terminal, it’s time to check-in. Look for a clearly marked special assistance desk or call point at the airport. 

When you check in, your wheelchair and any motorised attachments will be tagged separately. You can use your wheelchair and any mobility equipment all the way to the gate, at which point staff will take it from you to be stored in the hold. 

At security, there is usually a direct route for wheelchair users, so you won’t usually need to join the queue with other passengers. 

You may be asked if you’re able to walk and if so, you’ll be asked to pass through security scanners. If you have a walking stick, that will be scanned along with your carry-on luggage, so you may be given a wooden stick temporarily.

If you’re not walking, security staff may do a pat-down in your chair. They’ll ask first and check if there are any areas it may hurt to touch. 

Your shoes and chair may also be swabbed for traces of illegal substances. This isn’t anything to worry about and usually happens at the security checkpoint. 

You can request a private screening if you’re more comfortable with that. 

Boarding

Disabled passengers are usually called to board first to allow you extra time to get settled before others board. 

At the gate you’ll be given an aisle chair and support from a trained member of staff to transfer between chairs, and also to get from the aisle chair into your seat on the plane. 

While they will be trained in transfer techniques, if there are any areas of your body that are painful to touch, be sure to tell them. 

Most aisle chairs are secured using straps and buckles across your chest and legs for safety. We know that some people don’t find them that comfortable, but you should only be seated in it for a short time. You’ll also be able to use this aisle chair to access the toilet on the plane and when you disembark. 

When in the aisle chair, you’ll access the plane via an air bridge (this is a fixed elevated passage between the gate and the plane door) or an ambulift, which is a lifting cabin raised from ground level to the plane door. 

Ambulifts are used at airport gates that do not have air bridges, or when a passenger’s mobility needs cannot be met by the air bridge.

When you have landed, you’ll usually be the last to disembark, allowing you time to exit without being caught up in the rush of passengers leaving the plane. This can be a bit frustrating, but the delay shouldn’t be too long.

On the flight

Wheelchair accessible toilets are available on many planes, but not every aircraft has them. Airlines are required to provide onboard aisle chairs on planes with an accessible toilet. 

If you need support using the toilet on board, you can ring the call button and ask the cabin crew for assistance. 

They can support you from your seat to the aisle chair and help you get to the toilet. 

They’re not able to help with toilet transfers or personal care, so if you can’t manage unaided, you’ll need help from a travel companion. 

When you land

Your wheelchair should be returned to you at the air bridge or ambulift after landing. 

You’ll need to go through passport control, although airport staff may offer wheelchair users a direct route to the passport desk rather than waiting in the queue. 

Your luggage should be available to collect on the baggage carousel shortly after landing. If you’re travelling alone, you may need to ask for assistance retrieving your luggage. 

If you have a transfer booked and need support getting to it, find your airline’s desk and let them know.

What can go wrong?

We know, from stories that have been shared with us, that things don’t always go smoothly for wheelchair users while flying.

The most common issues that come up for wheelchair users include: 

• Pre-boarding: Wheelchair users should be able to board before others to give you time to get settled before everyone starts rushing to board, but this doesn’t always happen. If assistance staff aren’t at the gate in time, it makes pre-boarding impossible. If this occurs, there’s not a lot you can do about it other than make a complaint to the airline/airport afterwards. It is a good idea to notify the airline in advance and arrive early in any case. 
• Equipment: Airlines must return your wheelchair to you promptly on arrival, as close to the airport doors as possible. In some cases, gate staff have asked passengers to wait for their wheelchairs in the terminal to allow them to board the next set of passengers onto the plane. This isn’t ok and you’re perfectly within your rights to complain if they try to do this. 
• Damage to wheelchairs: Occasionally wheelchair users report that their equipment has come back damaged. Their recommendation is to take anything off and with you on the plane that may fall out, for example side plates, tip guards, etc. and clearly mark on the wheelchair with labels where to lift it, etc. if it’s not obvious.  

Expert tips from our Youth Board

Here are some tips from our Youth Board on how you can protect yourself and your chair on every flight.