Shropshire planes

Airport advice overview

Travelling by plane can 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 not later than 48 hours before you are due to depart.

You can read the official UK Government advice for disabled air travellers on their website.

Key Tips

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 service for travellers with reduced mobility and may charge for these services.

Contact your airline well in advance to discuss your requirements. 

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.

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

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

Nearest Airports

Birmingham Airport

https://www.birminghamairport.co.uk

Birmingham Airport accessibility webpage.

East Midlands Airport

https://www.eastmidlandsairport.com

East Midlands Airport accessibility webpage.

Manchester Airport

https://www.manchesterairport.co.uk

Manchester 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. East Midlands and Manchester airports have contact details for airlines that fly from there.

East Midlands Airport

Requesting special assistance

Manchester Airport

Requesting special assistance

Birmingham Airport

You will need to contact your airline when you book.

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.

Birmingham and East Midlands airports have Blue Badge spaces, but charges vary. Manchester offers 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 any assistance dog, a minimum of 48 hours prior to travel.

Within the EU, airlines cannot refuse a booking on 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 appropriate paperwork to travel. Guidelines can be found via this link.

Although airports cannot charge for assistance, there are rules around what mobility equipment can be carried on board an aircraft. It is important to 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.