Navigate airports worldwide with confidence using this comprehensive guide to accessible airport services, assistance programs, and facilities available to travelers with disabilities.
Understanding Airport Accessibility Services
Charles De Gaulle Airport Cdg
Airports worldwide offer various accessibility services to help travelers with disabilities navigate their facilities safely and comfortably.
Core Accessibility Services
- Wheelchair assistance - Manual and electric wheelchair assistance services
- Mobility aid transport - Transport of wheelchairs, scooters, and other mobility aids
- Personal assistance - Personal assistance for travelers with disabilities
- Accessible transportation - Accessible transportation within airport terminals
- Accessible facilities - Accessible restrooms, seating, and other facilities
- Communication assistance - Communication assistance for travelers with hearing or speech disabilities
Service Request Methods
- Pre-booking - Request services when booking your flight
- Airline websites - Request services through airline websites
- Phone reservations - Request services through phone reservations
- Airport information desks - Request services at airport information desks
- Mobile apps - Request services through airline mobile apps
North American Airport Services
North American airports offer comprehensive accessibility services under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Major US Airports
Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport Atl
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
- Wheelchair assistance - Comprehensive wheelchair assistance services
- Accessible transportation - Accessible transportation within terminals
- Accessible facilities - Accessible restrooms, seating, and other facilities
- Communication assistance - Communication assistance services
- Accessible parking - Accessible parking spaces near terminals
- Accessible dining - Accessible dining options throughout terminals
Los Angeles International Airport Lax
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Wheelchair assistance - Comprehensive wheelchair assistance services
- Accessible transportation - Accessible transportation within terminals
- Accessible facilities - Accessible restrooms, seating, and other facilities
- Communication assistance - Communication assistance services
- Accessible parking - Accessible parking spaces near terminals
- Accessible dining - Accessible dining options throughout terminals
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
- Wheelchair assistance - Comprehensive wheelchair assistance services
- Accessible transportation - Accessible transportation within terminals
- Accessible facilities - Accessible restrooms, seating, and other facilities
- Communication assistance - Communication assistance services
- Accessible parking - Accessible parking spaces near terminals
- Accessible dining - Accessible dining options throughout terminals
Canadian Airports
Toronto Pearson International Airport Yyz
Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
- Wheelchair assistance - Comprehensive wheelchair assistance services
- Accessible transportation - Accessible transportation within terminals
- Accessible facilities - Accessible restrooms, seating, and other facilities
- Communication assistance - Communication assistance services
- Accessible parking - Accessible parking spaces near terminals
- Accessible dining - Accessible dining options throughout terminals
Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
- Wheelchair assistance - Comprehensive wheelchair assistance services
- Accessible transportation - Accessible transportation within terminals
- Accessible facilities - Accessible restrooms, seating, and other facilities
- Communication assistance - Communication assistance services
- Accessible parking - Accessible parking spaces near terminals
- Accessible dining - Accessible dining options throughout terminals
European Airport Services
European airports offer accessibility services under EU Regulation 1107/2006 and national accessibility laws.
Major European Airports
Heathrow Airport Lhr
Heathrow Airport (LHR)
- Wheelchair assistance - Comprehensive wheelchair assistance services
- Accessible transportation - Accessible transportation within terminals
- Accessible facilities - Accessible restrooms, seating, and other facilities
- Communication assistance - Communication assistance services
- Accessible parking - Accessible parking spaces near terminals
- Accessible dining - Accessible dining options throughout terminals
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
- Wheelchair assistance - Comprehensive wheelchair assistance services
- Accessible transportation - Accessible transportation within terminals
- Accessible facilities - Accessible restrooms, seating, and other facilities
- Communication assistance - Communication assistance services
- Accessible parking - Accessible parking spaces near terminals
- Accessible dining - Accessible dining options throughout terminals
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
- Wheelchair assistance - Comprehensive wheelchair assistance services
- Accessible transportation - Accessible transportation within terminals
- Accessible facilities - Accessible restrooms, seating, and other facilities
- Communication assistance - Communication assistance services
- Accessible parking - Accessible parking spaces near terminals
- Accessible dining - Accessible dining options throughout terminals
Asian Airport Services
Asian airports offer varying levels of accessibility services depending on local regulations and infrastructure.
Major Asian Airports
Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)
- Wheelchair assistance - Comprehensive wheelchair assistance services
- Accessible transportation - Accessible transportation within terminals
- Accessible facilities - Accessible restrooms, seating, and other facilities
- Communication assistance - Communication assistance services
- Accessible parking - Accessible parking spaces near terminals
- Accessible dining - Accessible dining options throughout terminals
Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)
- Wheelchair assistance - Comprehensive wheelchair assistance services
- Accessible transportation - Accessible transportation within terminals
- Accessible facilities - Accessible restrooms, seating, and other facilities
- Communication assistance - Communication assistance services
- Accessible parking - Accessible parking spaces near terminals
- Accessible dining - Accessible dining options throughout terminals
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
- Wheelchair assistance - Comprehensive wheelchair assistance services
- Accessible transportation - Accessible transportation within terminals
- Accessible facilities - Accessible restrooms, seating, and other facilities
- Communication assistance - Communication assistance services
- Accessible parking - Accessible parking spaces near terminals
- Accessible dining - Accessible dining options throughout terminals
Requesting Airport Assistance
Knowing how to request airport assistance is crucial for a smooth travel experience.
Pre-Flight Requests
- Book early - Request assistance when booking your flight
- Contact airline - Contact your airline directly about assistance needs
- Use airline websites - Use airline websites to request assistance
- Call reservations - Call airline reservations to request assistance
- Use mobile apps - Use airline mobile apps to request assistance
At-Airport Requests
- Information desks - Request assistance at airport information desks
- Airline counters - Request assistance at airline check-in counters
- Gate agents - Request assistance from gate agents
- Airport staff - Request assistance from airport staff
- Emergency assistance - Request emergency assistance if needed
Security Screening for Travelers with Disabilities
Understanding security screening procedures can help you prepare for a smooth experience.
TSA Procedures (US)
- TSA PreCheck - TSA PreCheck for expedited screening
- Accessible screening - Accessible screening procedures
- Wheelchair screening - Wheelchair screening procedures
- Assistance devices - Screening of assistance devices
- Medical devices - Screening of medical devices
International Security Procedures
- EU procedures - EU security screening procedures
- Canadian procedures - Canadian security screening procedures
- Asian procedures - Asian security screening procedures
- Other countries - Country-specific security procedures
Accessible Airport Facilities
Understanding available accessible facilities can help you plan your airport experience.
Essential Facilities
- Accessible restrooms - Accessible restrooms throughout terminals
- Accessible seating - Accessible seating areas
- Accessible dining - Accessible dining options
- Accessible shopping - Accessible shopping areas
- Accessible information - Accessible information displays
Additional Facilities
- Accessible lounges - Accessible airline lounges
- Accessible spas - Accessible spa and wellness facilities
- Accessible entertainment - Accessible entertainment areas
- Accessible prayer rooms - Accessible prayer and meditation rooms
- Accessible charging stations - Accessible charging stations for devices
Communication Assistance
Many airports offer communication assistance for travelers with hearing or speech disabilities.
Hearing Assistance
- Hearing loops - Hearing loop systems in key areas
- Visual announcements - Visual announcements and displays
- Sign language interpreters - Sign language interpreter services
- Assistive listening devices - Assistive listening devices available
- Text messaging - Text messaging services for announcements
Speech Assistance
- Communication boards - Communication boards available
- Speech-to-text - Speech-to-text services
- Alternative communication - Alternative communication methods
- Staff training - Staff trained in communication assistance
Emergency Procedures
Understanding emergency procedures is important for travelers with disabilities.
Emergency Evacuation
- Evacuation procedures - Emergency evacuation procedures for travelers with disabilities
- Assistance during emergencies - Assistance during emergency situations
- Emergency communication - Emergency communication methods
- Emergency equipment - Emergency equipment and devices
Emergency Contacts
- Airport emergency services - Airport emergency services contacts
- Airline emergency contacts - Airline emergency contact information
- Medical emergency contacts - Medical emergency contact information
- Consular assistance - Consular assistance for international travelers
Additional Resources
For more information about accessible travel: