♿ Wheelchair

Wheelchairs go through security every day and screeners are well-practised at handling them. Manual wheelchairs will be swabbed or hand-screened, and the passenger may be assisted through a separate lane. Electric wheelchairs require additional screening due to their batteries, but this is a routine process that airline and airport staff are trained to manage.

Rules for electric wheelchair batteries vary slightly between airlines and regions. Non-spillable sealed lead-acid and certain lithium batteries are permitted in the hold under IATA and ICAO rules, but specific wattage limits and packaging requirements apply. Australian and EU carriers may have slightly different documentation requirements than US airlines — always contact your airline in advance to confirm what is needed for your specific battery type.

Airlines are legally required to accept wheelchairs for transport and to handle them with care. In the US, the Air Carrier Access Act provides explicit protections. If your wheelchair is damaged in transit, report it immediately at the baggage claim desk before leaving the airport — do not wait until you get home — and ask for a written damage report. Airlines are required to repair or replace damaged mobility equipment.

Notify the airline at the time of booking — not just at check-in — so they can arrange appropriate equipment and staffing at both ends. Manual foldable wheelchairs are typically checked at the gate and returned jet-bridge side on arrival, which means you keep it until you board. Electric wheelchairs must be checked at the main baggage desk due to battery handling requirements.