WHEELCHAIR USERS GUIDE TO AIR TRAVEL:

Before I took my first flight as a wheelchair user, I spent hours searching the internet for answers to all of my questions – with little success. One of the main reasons I started this blog was to put all of those answers online, so that they would be easy for others to find. As a disabled traveler who has now taken more than 500 flights with my power wheelchair, I have dealt with just about every problem you could imagine. Still, I have a passion for airplanes and flight and I keep flying to open air travel to people with disabilities.

I have arranged this air travel guide to follow the timeline or “ribbon” of travel. It answers questions about the air travel process for wheelchair users, from booking to baggage claim. Read through each of the sections, and you’ll be properly prepared to begin your wheelchair travel journey on an airplane.

Before Travel
Planning & Booking

How to Book Your Flight and Who To Contact for Wheelchair Assistance at Major Airlines (100+ listed)


What levels and types of wheelchair assistance are available at the airport and on the airplane? What are SSR codes?


Summary of Disabled Passengers’ Rights and the Air Carrier Access Act


European Union Rights for Passengers with Disabilities in Air Travel


Can I store my manual wheelchair in the airplane cabin?


Will my power wheelchair or scooter fit on the airplane? What are the dimensions of the cargo compartment?

At the Airport
Onboard the Plane

Can I use my own wheelchair or scooter in the airport? Can I gate-check a wheelchair before boarding the airplane?


TSA Security Screenings for Travelers With Disabilities: How It Works


How to Reduce the Risk of an Airline Damaging Your Personal Wheelchair


How do wheelchair users board the airplane, and what is an aisle chair?


Do airplanes have accessible bathrooms? How do I use the airplane lavatory of I cannot walk?

Arrival
Baggage Claim

Wheelchair Damaged? Lost Baggage? Follow These Steps to Seek Resolution.


Were Your ACAA Rights Violated? Hold Airlines Responsible – File A Report With the U.S. Department of Transportation

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