East Sussex planes

Airport advice overview  

Gatwick and Heathrow are the nearest international airports for residents of East Sussex. 

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  

• 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.   
• Pre-arrange assistance for outbound and return journeys so the necessary arrangements can be made to give you the assistance you require.  
• If you arrive at the airport and have not booked assistance in advance, all reasonable efforts will be made to assist you. 
• Check medication rules before you fly to see what can and cannot be carried in hand baggage and what to do if you are travelling with mobility equipment. The UK Civil Aviation Authority provide further information.  

Nearest airports  

Heathrow Airport  

https://www.heathrow.com

You can find information regarding special assistance on the Heathrow Airport website.  

Gatwick Airport  

https://www.gatwickairport.com/

You can find information about special assistance on the Gatwick Airport website.

Special assistance 

 If you require special assistance whilst at an 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 require assistance on arrival at the airport, you should locate the nearest call point to request assistance and you will be supported to your chosen method of check-in.   

You can find information about travelling with reduced mobility and arranging assistance on the Heathrow Airport website.   

You can find information about travelling with reduced mobility and arranging assistance, on the Gatwick Airport website. 

Heathrow Airport parking for Blue Badge holders  

Blue Badge parking is available in all Heathrow car parks but cannot be booked. For assistance when you arrive at the car park, contact:  

020 8757 2700 (Terminal 2, 3 & 4) and 020 8283 6415 (Terminal 5).  

There is no dedicated Blue Badge drop-off at Heathrow. A £5 charge now applies every time.  

Gatwick Airport parking for Blue Badge holders 

If you are a Blue Badge holder being dropped off at Gatwick Airport, you are exempt from drop-off charges. A number plate must be registered in advance.  

For more information, visit the Gatwick Airport website. 

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.  

If you cannot manage the steps to the aircraft, ambulift vehicles can be provided to help you board. This must be organised in advance. 

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, please visit the dedicated webpage on the GOV.UK website.