Berkshire planes

Airport advice overview

Berkshire is close to several international airports, including Heathrow and Gatwick.

Passengers with a disability or reduced mobility are legally entitled to support, commonly known as ‘Special Assistance’. Airports and airlines must provide help and assistance, which is free of charge and helps ensure you have a less stressful journey.

Special assistance is available to passengers who may need help to travel, such as older people, those with a physical disability, including wheelchair users, and those who experience difficulty with social interaction and communication, such as people with autism or dementia.

Key tips

• Research the individual airline and their accessibility provision, or call your local Hub Mobility Advice Service so they can assist you with this.
• Make sure you give the airport 48 hours’ notice of any help you need.
• Arrive early, as it can take more time to get to your gate. 
• Ensure you inform your airline of any mobility equipment you need to take on the plane.
• Wearing a sunflower lanyard enables staff to recognise that you have a hidden disability without you needing to declare it. This allows you to travel independently through the airport whilst knowing that if you need any additional support during your journey, staff can provide this. You can collect a lanyard from Airport Assistance Desks.

When planning your flight, you may wish to consider:

• What equipment and mobility aids or support you may need upon arrival at the airport and during the flight.
• Arranging special assistance at the time of booking your flight.
• Whether you need to complete a Medical Device Awareness Card if you are travelling with a hidden medical device.
• What arrangements you may need to make for onward travel once you have landed at your destination.

Nearest airports

Heathrow Airport

www.heathrow.com

Short Stay car park

Clearly signed Blue Badge parking is available in all Short Stay car parks, close to terminal access routes.

Help points located nearby can be used to arrange mobility assistance or help with luggage, free of charge. Or you can call: 020 8757 2700 (Terminal 2, 3 & 4) and 020 8283 6415 (Terminal 5). 

If you wish to park in a Blue Badge space but take your badge abroad, you must show your badge to the car park operator. Contact the operator via the help button on the car park entry machine or a help point telephone.

Business and Long Stay car parks

Blue Badge spaces in Business and Long Stay Parking are close to bus stops or admin offices. You are advised to contact the appropriate car park in advance if you require assistance with transfer to the terminals.

Help Points

Assistance help points for all those travelling with a disability or mobility difficulties are located in various locations, including terminal forecourts, car parks and Heathrow Express and London Underground stations. 

Host areas

Heathrow terminals have assistance host areas with seating and flight information screens, where you can find assistance from staff. Further information can be found via this link.

Hidden disabilities

For a hidden disability such as autism, dementia or anxiety, help is at hand at the airport. If you would like to book assistance, just let your airline know 48 hours in advance and specially-trained staff will take care of you.

Gatwick Airport

www.gatwickairport.com

Dedicated drop-off point on arrival

If you are a Blue Badge holder being dropped off at the airport by friends or by taxi, you are exempt from drop-off charges, as long as you register your number plate in advance.

You can register anytime from three months before your flight up to the day before you travel, each time you fly. The vehicle owner can also register their number plate on behalf of the Blue Badge holder being dropped off, as long as they provide evidence of a Blue Badge.

In the terminal

If you need assistance at Gatwick Airport, go to one of the special assistance reception areas located at the side of the Drop-Off Zone or at the side of the entrance to Security in both terminals.

Assistance at Security

Dedicated assistance lanes are provided through Security where staff are specially trained to take care of passengers who have additional needs.

To access this service, visit the special assistance reception desk in the terminals. You can also use the assistance lane on you own and make your way to the special assistance desk in the departure lounge, to arrange help to your gate if required.

Medications and medical equipment

Check the rules before you fly regarding what you can and cannot carry in your hand baggage and what to do if you are travelling with medication or equipment.  

Medical items required during your flight can be carried in your hand baggage but everything else should be packed in your checked-in baggage. 

If you need to use injectable medication before your flight, go to one of the special assistance desks where a member of staff will find you a quiet room. 

Boarding your flight

Usually, passengers using special assistance board their flight first; however, this depends on the airline.

Once on board, special assistance staff can use aisle chairs to assist you to your seat if you need help with this. 

If you cannot manage the steps up to the aircraft, Ambi-lift vehicles can be provided to help you board. The Ambi-lift is secure and can assist several passengers to the aircraft. Companions will need to use the steps along with other passengers.

If you need some more assistance to board the aircraft, an Eagle Hoist can be arranged. This service needs to be booked 24 hours in advance by emailing: lgweaglehoist@wilsonjames.co.uk with your name, contact information, flight details, height and weight and if you have used the service before. Once your booking is confirmed, you will receive email notification.

Southampton Airport

www.southamptonairport.com

If you have any queries about reduced mobility assistance at Southampton Airport, call OCS on 07458 129739

Parking for Blue Badge holders

Blue Badge parking is available in the short stay car park, on the ground floor close to the terminal and in the long stay car park adjacent to bus stops A and B. 

Assistance at the Airport

If you require assistance on arrival at the airport, locate the nearest call point to request assistance to your chosen method of check-in.

Special assistance

If you require special assistance while at the airport you should inform your airline, tour operator or travel agent at least 48 hours before you fly. It is best to give as much notice as possible, both for your outbound and return journeys, so the necessary arrangements can be made to give you the assistance you require.

Your airline will pass on your special assistance booking prior to your arrival at the airport. If you arrive at the airport and have not booked in advance, all reasonable efforts will be made to assist you.

If you have a sensory, physical or learning disability which affects your mobility when using transport at UK airports, you have the right to assistance in the following areas:

• specific arrival points, such as terminal entrances, transport interchanges, car parks
• reaching and registration at check-in
• moving through the airport if you need it, including to toilets
• boarding and disembarking the plane
• transferring between flights
• You also have the right to help because of your age or a temporary illness or injury. For example, if you have broken your leg and it is in a cast.

Travelling with mobility equipment

For passengers taking a mobility aid, such as a scooter or wheelchair, onto the aircraft, your airline must be advised in advance preferably at the time of booking. 

You should provide details to your airline, tour operator or travel agent which outline the dimension, weight, make and model of the mobility aid.

You will be able to travel with your mobility aid from arrival at the airport up until the point of boarding the aircraft. 

The ground handling team will ensure your mobility aid is made safe for carriage on the plane and you or a person in your travelling party may be required to liaise with the team to ensure the mobility aid is immobilised. It helps keep delays to a minimum if you know how your device works in advance.

To help minimise damage or loss to your mobility scooter or wheelchair, remove any detachable parts so these can be kept separately for safe keeping. Your airline will make sure they are stowed away safely until you arrive at your destination airport. 

You will be reunited with your mobility aid at the aircraft side after disembarking. In the unlikely event there is any damage to your mobility equipment, the Special Assistance team will make every effort to provide you with a temporary replacement.

Assistance dogs

You may take your assistance dog into the terminal with you. It is important to remember that guide dogs can only travel if they are registered with the Pet Travel Scheme and if allowed by your airline and holiday destination. 

For further information on travelling with an assistance dog, visit the dedicated webpage on the Gov.uk website.