Cheshire and Wirral planes

Airport Overview

The nearest main airports are Manchester and Liverpool.

Travelling by plane can sometimes be daunting for older and disabled travellers. However, with careful planning in advance, your journey can go smoothly.

You must provide information about your needs to your airline or travel agent as soon as you can and no later than 48 hours before you are due to depart.

There is detailed, official advice for disabled air travellers via this link.

Key Tips

Contact your airline well in advance to discuss your requirements. 

Arrive in good time – passengers with reduced mobility are likely to be boarded first.

Know your rights – 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.

Do thorough research on your chosen airline and destination before you book. Bear in mind that destinations outside the EU may not provide the same levels of assistance for travellers with reduced mobility and may charge for these services.

Shop around for the cheapest air fares. Package deals may not always offer the best value.

Nearest Airports

Manchester Airport

https://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/

Manchester Airport accessibility webpage

Liverpool Airport

https://www.liverpoolairport.com/

Liverpool Airport accessibility webpage

Special Assistance

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.

All assistance, both in the airport and on the plane, is booked via your airline. This must be done at least 48 hours before you travel. Manchester and Liverpool airports can provide contact details for your airline.

Manchester Airport

Rrequesting special assistance

Liverpool Airport

Requesting specialist assistance

Once you reach the airport, go to the Assistance Reception desk (in each terminal) to register. The support you require will then be provided in a manner which meets your needs.

Both Manchester and Liverpool airports offer free-of-charge Blue Badge parking, although this may need to be pre-booked.

Travelling with Mobility Equipment

You must contact your airline to discuss your mobility equipment, medication and an assistance dog, a minimum of 48 hours prior to travel.

Within the EU, airlines cannot refuse a booking on the grounds of your mobility equipment. (Unless there are practical safety or logistical reasons for doing so. For example, the aircraft doors are too small for your wheelchair to fit through.)

Assistance dogs must be carried free of charge. They will still need the appropriate paperwork to travel. Guidelines can be found in this link.

Although airports cannot charge for assistance, there are rules regarding what mobility equipment can be carried on board an aircraft. It is important to always check in advance with your airline. There will likely be restrictions on oxygen and wet cell batteries.

If possible, it is wise to pack any mobility equipment yourself, that will be stowed in the hold, to avoid risks of damage.