Dorset planes

Airport advice overview

Bournemouth Airport is situated in Dorset, providing flights within the UK and to international destinations.

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 48hrs 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 pick up a lanyard from Airport Assistance Desks.

When planning your flight, you may want 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

Bournemouth Airport

www.bournemouthairport.com

Parking for Blue Badge holders

Disabled ‘drop off’ and parking spaces are located in Car Park 1 for any length of stay. Normal charges apply. An Assistance Point with a telephone, and seating area, are available.

If you require wheelchair assistance or help with your luggage from the disabled parking spaces, you should contact staff using the help point located in Car Park 1 or the help point located next to the Information Desk in the main terminal building.

Wheelchairs are available for use free of charge, but they are subject to availability.

Toilet facilities

There are fully equipped disabled toilets located in all areas of the terminal building.

Special assistance

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.
• Passengers requiring special assistance should aim to give their airline 48 hours’ notice.

At Bournemouth Airport, special assistance from trained staff can be made available for departing passengers from the point of arrival at the airport and from the inbound aircraft.

The Passenger Assistance Areas are easy to locate and can be found adjacent to the Information Desk, in the Departure Lounge and in the International and Domestic Arrivals Halls

You should discuss any assistance requirements with your airline prior to arrival at the airport, to ensure that the required assistance is available. Any requests for assistance should be made at least 48 hours in advance of travel.

Hidden Disability assistance

Bournemouth Airport offers assistance to passengers with Hidden Disabilities. 

Passengers with Hidden Disabilities can participate in the airport’s Sunflower Lanyard scheme which allows staff to identify passengers who may need additional services or awareness.

Passengers should attend the Airport Information Desk to register their requirements for a range of issues which include:

• Hearing impairment. Portable hearing loops are available upon request at the Information desk and in Security.
• Sight impairment
• Colostomy and Stoma. Security members of staff are trained to deal with this condition when there is a requirement to undertake search procedures. A private area is set aside for this purpose.
• Autism. Passengers on the Autistic Spectrum may book a familiarisation tour tailored to their needs prior to the flight.
• Dementia. Bournemouth Airport is dementia friendly. 

Travelling with mobility equipment

At the time of booking your flight or up to 48 hours in advance of travelling, you should contact your airline directly or via your travel agent to pre-book assistance.

You should also tell your airline if you intend to take your own mobility aid, such as a wheelchair or scooter. The airline will require the make and model of your mobility equipment along with the weight and dimensions.

When you arrive at Bournemouth Airport for your departure flight, proceed to one of the Help Points or Information Desk within the terminal. A member of staff will assess your needs and ensure that your electric mobility aid is safe for travel.

You can remain in your wheelchair or electric mobility aid right up to the aircraft door. However, staff may ask you to transfer to one of their wheelchairs at the gate. Your mobility equipment will then be taken to the aircraft side for loading and staff will assist you to board your flight.

On arrival back at Bournemouth Airport, you will be met by a member of staff who will collect your mobility equipment from the aircraft hold, and assist you through the arrivals process. If there is a problem with your mobility equipment on arrival, Bournemouth Airport will provide a courtesy wheelchair.

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 regarding travelling with an assistance dog, visit the dedicated webpage on the Gov.uk website.