Summary
- Airlines like Qantas, Virgin Atlantic, and Delta offer specialized services for wheelchair users, ensuring a comfortable and supported travel experience.
- Support includes meet and assist services, early boarding, special seating arrangements, and real-time resolution at the airport for immediate assistance.
- Communication is key – wheelchair users should request special assistance online, informing the airline of their needs and ensuring a positive travel experience.
When planning trips, wheelchair users have specific needs, especially regarding their assistive devices and how their wheelchairs are handled.
A significant part of their journey involves transferring from their personal wheelchairs to airplane seats, which requires airlines to offer more than just basic accommodations – comfort is key. Certain airlines offer services that cater to these needs, ensuring a more comfortable and enjoyable travel experience for wheelchair users.
They assist people with mobility challenges from check-in to boarding the flight and finding seats. Support services are available for passengers with a carer, needing oxygen, bringing a service dog, using mobility aids, or having an invisible disability. Early boarding and special seating arrangements are offered to improve accessibility and comfort.
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Qantas
Qantas aims to be the top choice for customers with special needs by ensuring a smooth and comfortable journey.
Photo: Qantas
Meet and assist services
When booking, ask for the meet and assist service. Qantas will help you with an airport wheelchair or people mover from check-in to your departure gate and from your arrival gate to baggage claim. They’ll also help with your mobility aid at the departure and arrival gates.
Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic believes everyone can take on the world. So, if you have accessibility or medical requirements or need additional support, they will help with a wide range of assistance to ensure you enjoy their fabulous service at every step of your journey.
Delta Air Lines
Delta believes travel is for everyone. They prioritize delivering the best service and ensuring accessibility for all Delta customers. Delta gate agents and attendants will be available to assist before boarding, in the air, at your destination, and anywhere in between.
Multisensory Rooms
Multisensory rooms are designed to support passengers who need to take a break from the sights and sounds of a busy airport. Some rooms include calming colors, sounds, and a small aircraft mock-up to give passengers an opportunity to familiarize themselves with air travel before their flight. To receive multisensory room access, please look for and notify a Delta Red Coat.
Photo: Delta Airlines
Real-Time Resolution at the airport
If you need assistance at the airport, ask a Delta customer service personnel. They can assist or direct you to a Complaint Resolution Official (CRO). CROs have been specially trained to resolve issues related to Department of Transportation (DOT) disability regulations and Delta policies on disability. CROs are available at all airport locations and will gladly answer your concerns.
British Airways
British Airways believes our unique service should be accessible to everyone. We are committed to making flights as easy as possible for customers traveling with disabilities. The airline continually improves service and aims to become the airline of choice for customers with visible and non-visible disabilities.
United Airlines
United strives to accommodate customers of all abilities and needs. The airline has a series of policies and information available to help make travel more accessible.
Photo: United Airlines
American Airlines
American Airlines is dedicated to providing a positive travel experience for all customers. Request special assistance when making or managing your reservation online, or call if you have special requests. A coordinator will contact you before your trip to ensure everything’s ready.
Request special assistance online
When you book or manage your trip online, choose ‘Add special assistance’ on the passenger details page. There you can:
- Request wheelchair service
- State if you’re traveling with your own mobility device
- Request individual assistance if you have a hearing, vision, cognitive, or developmental disability
- State if you’re traveling with a service animal. Notice and approval are required at least 48 hours before your flight.
Wheelchair Travel
In 2023, John Morris, founder of Wheelchair Travel, ranked the best US airlines for wheelchair users based on the following criteria: Mishandled Wheelchairs, Disability Complaints, Mishandled Baggage, Passenger Complaints, and more.
Following a life-changing car accident in 2012, John, with a passion for travel, embarked on a new journey. As a wheelchair user, he started sharing his unique experiences and guiding insights, inspiring others to navigate their journeys.
Photo: Wheelchair Travel
“Delta Air Lines earned the top honors and the 2022 title of best US airline for wheelchair users, with Southwest and United rounding out the top three. Proper handling of personal mobility equipment continues to be the greatest opportunity for improvement, even among carriers that are performing above average.
“Delta’s average rate of damaged and delayed wheelchairs is low at 0.83%, but that still amounted to more than 1,600 mobility devices impacted during the 12-month period covered by this analysis. The disabled passengers who were left to pick up the pieces of their damaged, delayed or destroyed wheelchairs deserve better.”
When planning trips, wheelchair users have specific accommodations to consider, particularly in transferring between personal wheelchairs and airplane seats, seeking comfort and assistance.
Airlines like Qantas, Virgin Atlantic, Delta Air Lines, British Airways, United Airlines, and American Airlines offer specialized services to cater to these needs. These services include meet and assist options, early boarding, special seating arrangements, and assistance from check-in through to the flight and baggage claim.
They aim to support travelers with mobility challenges, those requiring oxygen, service dogs, mobility aids, or those with invisible disabilities. Additional assistance involves real-time resolution at the airport, with specially trained Delta Complaint Resolution Officials (CROs) for immediate help.
These airlines are committed to making travel accessible and enjoyable for all customers, emphasizing the importance of pre-travel arrangements and communication for a smooth experience.