Travelling around the UK – Airports

Different airlines and airports have different facilities for disabled people. If you have a sensory, physical or learning disability that affects your mobility, you have the right to help at  various points around the airport, including; check ins, moving around the site and boarding the plane. You also have the right to help because of your age or for temporary illness or injury. Mobility aids also do not count towards your luggage allowance. 

Guests using planes for domestic or international flights have the right to travel with an assistant dog and airlines will also allow you to travel with a companion should you need extra help. 

Travelling and your rights

Special assistance is a legally entitled right, it means that airports and airlines must provide help and assistance free of charge. Special assistance is available to a variety of people, including the elderly, those with physical disabilities, wheelchair users, autistic people and travellers with dementia.

You will need to check with the individual airports and airlines for details and to book any assistance. 

Your right to assistance applies when you fly on any airline from a UK airport, you fly on an EU or UK airline to a UK airport, you fly from outside the UK or EU to the EU on a UK carrier. Passengers should give at least 48 hour’s notice if they require assistance, many travel operators and travel agents will book this for you at the time of making your reservations.

What help is available

Help is available from the moment you arrive in an airport and can cover:

Your journey through your departure airport
Boarding the aircraft and during the flight
Disembarkation
Transfers between flights
Travelling through your destination airport

Assisted boarding and Special Assistance

When you arrive at the airport, you should go to the assistance point, which will be signposted. Staff at these points will then accompany you through the airport, helping with check in, security and getting on the plane. You will be met at the other end by another staff member, who will get you through the arrivals and bag collection points. Companions are also allowed to board with you and accompany you through security, arrivals and departures.

Travelling with mobility aids

If you are travelling with a mobility aid, including electric scooters and wheelchairs, you will need to make the airline aware before travel. Check before you book if the airline has restrictions relating to your equipment, which may vary depending on the plane.

Before travelling, tell your airline the make, model, weight and size of your wheelchair and let them know of any instructions. You should also tell them if your mobility aid is collapsible and provide details on how to assemble and disassemble it. You can carry up to two mobility items free of charge and this applies for the trip, rather than just the flight. Large quantities of medication or certain equipment will require a medical certificate before travel.

Travelling with an assistance dog

Airlines must accept all assistance dogs for air travel without charge. Dogs will normally sit in the space on the floor in front of the seat, with many airlines seating passengers with guide dogs in the front row where there is more space. If it is not possible for the dog to sit there, or it is a larger breed, you may be charged for a second seat to allow the dog enough room.

A safety harness should be taken to enable the dog to be secured during take off and landing and airlines may require confirmation that your dog has been trained to travel by air. Assistance dogs will also need to comply with the rules of pet travel and you will have to check before travel the rules of your destination.

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