Air Travel Tips 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. It's 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

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Be Assertive

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Be prepared to be flexible and ready to deal with difficult situations.
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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.
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Be assertive about your needs and insist upon the services necessary to complete a flight.
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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.

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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. For more information, read this section of our personal assistant tip sheet.

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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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The limit of one carry-on bag and one personal bag (purse or briefcase) does not apply to medical supplies and/or assistive devices.

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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Passengers traveling with a service animal should see the Guide Dogs and Service Animals tipsheet

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For Passengers with Visual and Hearing Disabilities

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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.
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For passengers with hearing disabilities, telescreens are provided in most airports and U.S. airlines offer captioned safety videos.

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