Disabled people have the right to fly. Air travel with a disability can be challenging, but laws protect your rights to accessible air travel. Knowing your rights—and how to enforce them—makes a difference.
This page centers disabled travelers' expertise on navigating air travel.
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Generally, disabled passengers have the right to:
- Fly without discrimination based on disability
- Request and receive assistance
- Bring mobility devices and medical equipment
- Travel with service animals (rules vary)
- Pre-board when needed
- Not be required to have an attendant (with some exceptions)
Disabled travelers frequently encounter:
- Damaged wheelchairs and mobility devices
- Inadequate assistance
- Inaccessible aircraft lavatories
- Lack of trained staff
- Being denied boarding
- Lost or delayed medical equipment
The Air Carrier Access Act (1986) prohibits discrimination against disabled passengers on flights to, from, or within the United States.
Boarding and assistance:
- Right to request assistance with boarding, deplaning, and connections
- Right to preboard for extra time to get seated
- Cannot be denied boarding solely because of disability
Mobility devices:
- Wheelchairs and mobility aids fly free (no charge)
- Can gate-check wheelchair and use it to the aircraft door
- Should receive wheelchair back at aircraft door upon arrival
- Airlines must accept wheelchairs, though there may be size/weight limits on very large devices
Medical equipment:
- Portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) allowed on most flights
- Other medical equipment allowed (CPAP, feeding pumps, etc.)
- May need advance notice for some equipment
- Airlines cannot charge for disability-related medical equipment
Service animals:
- Airlines must allow trained service dogs
- Emotional support animals no longer required (as of 2021)
- Airlines may require documentation and behavior requirements
- Psychiatric service dogs are still protected
Seating:
- Right to specific seats if needed for your disability (bulkhead, movable armrest, etc.)
- May need to request in advance
Companions:
- Airlines can require a safety assistant only in very limited circumstances
- If airline requires an assistant, they must provide one or give a free ticket
- Wheelchair assistance throughout airport
- Boarding chairs (aisle chairs) to reach your seat
- Help stowing and retrieving carry-on items
- Priority space for wheelchairs in cargo
- Information in accessible formats (upon request)
- Trained staff (Complaints Resolution Officials)
- Request assistance when booking: Note any assistance needed
- Call ahead: Confirm requests, especially for equipment or unusual needs
- Arrive early: Allow extra time
- Have documentation ready: For service animals, medical equipment
- Know the policies: Each airline has specific procedures
At the airport:
- Ask to speak with the airline's Complaints Resolution Official (CRO)—they must have one
- Document everything (names, times, what happened)
- Get written confirmation of complaints
After travel:
- File a complaint with the airline
- File a complaint with the Department of Transportation: transportation.gov/airconsumer or 202-366-2220
- DOT tracks complaints and can fine airlines
Airlines damage thousands of wheelchairs annually. If your wheelchair is damaged:
- Report it immediately before leaving the airport
- Document the damage (photos)
- Airlines are required to repair or replace
- You may be entitled to interim equipment
- File a DOT complaint if not resolved
The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) enforces accessibility requirements for air travel.
- Non-discrimination in air travel
- Assistance with boarding and during flight
- Transport of mobility aids at no charge
- Service dogs allowed
- Seating accommodations when needed
Canada has a "one-person-one-fare" policy:
- If you need an attendant or extra seat for a disability, you don't pay for it
- Applies on domestic flights
- Must have documentation of need
Contact the Canadian Transportation Agency:
EU regulations cover flights departing from or arriving in EU airports on EU carriers.
- Cannot be refused boarding due to disability (except for safety in limited cases)
- Free assistance at airports and on aircraft
- Mobility equipment transported free
- Right to travel with service dogs (varies by airline)
- Compensation for damaged mobility equipment
- Notify airline/airport at least 48 hours before travel (if possible)
- Designated points in airports for requesting assistance
- Assistance should be provided even without advance notice
- Complain to the airline first
- Contact national enforcement body in relevant EU country
- Can complain to European Commission if unresolved
UK has maintained similar accessibility requirements to the EU:
- Assistance at airports
- Free transport of mobility equipment
- Service dogs allowed
Civil Aviation Authority handles complaints about disabled passengers' rights.
- Similar rights to EU framework
- UK airlines and airports must comply
- Assistance should be requested in advance when possible
Airlines must not discriminate against disabled passengers and must make reasonable adjustments.
- Right to travel without discrimination
- Assistance available (request in advance)
- Mobility devices transported (some limits may apply)
- Companion animals regulated differently from US
- Australian Human Rights Commission
- Airline complaints processes
When traveling internationally:
- Laws of departure country apply at departure
- Laws of arrival country apply at arrival
- ICAO has general guidelines, but enforcement varies
- Research regulations for each country
- Contact airlines directly about their policies
- Allow extra time for connections
- Have documentation ready
- Carry essential equipment in carry-on when possible
- Consider travel insurance that covers equipment
- Research airline disability policies
- Check aircraft type for your route (some are more accessible)
- Consider direct flights to reduce complications
- Book early for better seat selection
- Request assistance at booking
- Note specific needs (aisle chair, wheelchair assistance, etc.)
- Request specific seating if needed
- Confirm mobility device dimensions with airline
- Call to confirm all arrangements 48+ hours before
- Print confirmation of assistance requests
- Prepare documentation for equipment/service animals
- Plan for accessible ground transportation
- Arrive early (earlier than typical)
- Immediately identify yourself to airline staff
- Confirm assistance arrangements
- Take photos of your wheelchair/equipment before checking
- Know where your equipment is stowed
- Don't be afraid to speak up about needs
- Request assistance with meals, lavatory if needed
- Stay hydrated (bathroom access is limited)
- Request your wheelchair at the aircraft door (not baggage)
- Inspect equipment immediately for damage
- Report any damage before leaving the airport
- Get documentation of any issues
- Medications in carry-on
- Documentation/prescriptions for medications and equipment
- Snacks (in case of delays)
- Phone charger
- Essential medical supplies
- Contact information for airline accessibility services
Airlines damage or lose thousands of mobility devices annually. This isn't minor inconvenience—it affects independence and safety.
- Remove loose parts if possible
- Attach written instructions for handling
- Use a rigid case if available
- Take photos before flight
- Request handling by trained staff
- Report before leaving airport
- Document thoroughly
- Airlines must repair or replace
- You may need interim equipment
- File regulatory complaint if unresolved
- Consider contacting disability rights organizations
Disabled travelers are pushing for:
- Better training for baggage handlers
- Changes to how wheelchairs are stowed
- Real accountability when equipment is damaged
- Legislation to improve protections
- Trained service dogs must be allowed
- Airlines can require documentation and behavior forms
- Emotional support animals no longer required
- Psychiatric service dogs are protected
Policies vary:
- Some countries only recognize dogs
- Some require specific documentation or veterinary certificates
- Quarantine requirements may apply for international travel
- Research requirements for each destination
Airlines can only require attendants in very limited safety situations. Ask for specific explanation of the requirement. If they require one, they must provide one or give a free ticket. File a complaint if inappropriately required.
Report immediately before leaving airport. Take photos. Demand repair or replacement. Request interim equipment if needed. File DOT complaint (US) or equivalent. Contact disability advocacy organizations for help.
This is often illegal. Document everything. Ask for written explanation. File complaint with DOT (US) or equivalent agency. Consider legal assistance for serious violations.
Airlines must deliver lost items. You're entitled to reasonable expenses while waiting. File complaints for delayed or lost equipment. Keep receipts for any costs incurred.
Have you navigated air travel with a disability? Have tips or experiences to share?
Share your knowledge: Contribution Form
We especially welcome:
- Specific airline experiences
- Tips for specific disabilities
- International travel advice
- Stories of successful advocacy
This page centers disabled travelers' expertise. Air travel is a right, not a privilege—disabled people deserve to fly safely and with dignity.
Last updated: November 2025