English edition · checked 2026-10-18

Accessible airport connections: plan assistance by segment

Request the assistance you need through the airline and airport, and verify the connection route, transfer time and mobility-equipment handling before travel.

Describe the assistance you need

Tell the airline or travel provider what support is useful: wheelchair help, guided wayfinding, boarding time, a mobility device, an accessible transfer or communication support. A label alone may not explain what is needed on a connection.

Plan every segment

Check the arrival and departure terminals, distance between gates, accessible lifts or buses, security and border control. Ask whether staff will meet you at the aircraft or at the gate, and who coordinates the onward transfer.

Confirm equipment and timing

Share mobility-equipment details and battery information with the airline in advance. Confirm check-in and handover procedures for each operating carrier, including codeshares and separate tickets. Keep the airline’s confirmation with your itinerary.

Use the rules for your jurisdiction

Accessibility rights and airline duties differ by country and route. The U.S. Department of Transportation and Heathrow publish useful examples for their own jurisdictions and airport; use the relevant local authority for your actual trip.

Official sources

• U.S. DOT wheelchair and guided assistance
• U.S. DOT Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights
• Heathrow assistance connections guide

Keep reading: Separate tickets and connections · Missed connections · Airport connection example