West Midlands planes

County advice overview

West Midlands county is served by Birmingham Airport.  

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

Always allow plenty of time to plan your journey. It may be worth considering:  

• If you will need help whilst in the airport and on the plane. Will you be travelling with mobility equipment? 
• Booking Passenger Assistance in advance through your airline or tour operator. Make sure you provide at least 48 hours’ notice of any help you need. 
• When booking assistance, you should be able to provide the size of your mobility equipment, including the total weight with or without the user. 
• What local transport do you need once you arrive at your destination? Can you pre-book an accessible taxi? 

Remember, your local Central England and Greater Manchester Hubs Mobility Advice Service can provide helpful advice and information.

Nearest airports

Birmingham Airport 

www.birminghamairport.co.uk

Special assistance

If you require special assistance whilst at Birmingham Airport, you should inform your airline, tour operator or travel agent at least 48 hours before your flight.

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.

Assistance

As well as pre-booking, if you require assistance at Birmingham Airport, you should visit the Assisted Travel Help Desk no later than 3 hours before the scheduled departure time. The Assisted Travel Help Desk is located on the ground floor of the terminal building, next to check-in zone B. 

Help Points are available for you to request assistance in car parks and outside the terminal.

Hidden disabilities

If you or someone you are travelling with have a hidden disability, Birmingham Airport support the Sunflower Lanyard scheme. This will discreetly inform Airport staff that you may require additional support.

Lanyards can be collected from the Assisted Travel Help Desk on the ground floor of the Terminal Building.

Birmingham Airport have worked with Autism West Midlands to produce a video detailing each step of the journey. This can help a passenger with autism to experience the sights and sounds of the Airport before they travel.

You can watch the video and find out about more about assisted travel on the Birmingham Airport website.

Parking for Blue Badge holders

Blue Badge holders are entitled to up to 30 minutes free parking at the Premium Set Down car park, providing they show their Blue Badge and car parking ticket at the NCP Customer Service Desk. Charges apply after 30 minutes. You can also pick up disabled customers from this car park. 

Car Parks 1, 2, 3, 5, and the free drop-off and set-down area also provide disabled parking. Normal charges apply.

For assistance with car park bookings, contact:

0345 0507080 or email bookingenquiries@ncp.co.uk

Travelling with mobility equipment

For those 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.

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.

Birmingham Airport offers the use of a courtesy electric mobility scooter whilst passengers are on the airport site. Scooters can be requested on arrival at the Assisted Travel Help Desk, located on the ground floor of the Terminal. Scooters cannot be booked in advance and availability is limited. You can use the scooter up until your boarding gate.

Support and assistance in other countries may differ, so it is best to check in advance.

Transfer equipment

Hoists and additional seating support are generally available, but you will need to check with specific airlines. You can lease equipment for the flight as well but check with your airline to make sure it can be used. 

Batteries on aircrafts

The batteries used in power wheelchairs and mobility aids are considered dangerous goods when carried by air. They are permitted for carriage by passengers provided certain safety requirements are met. 

Passengers may only travel with a battery-powered mobility aid with the airline’s approval. Powered chairs must have the Airsafe Power Inhibitor for safety. 

Medications

You are allowed to carry essential medications including medicinal liquids over 100ml in your hand luggage and any medical equipment if it is essential for your journey. You will need a letter from your doctor to travel with the medicine to prove this is prescribed.

Assistance dogs

If you are travelling with a recognised assistance animal, you should inform your airline or tour operator in advance. 

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.