The rights of air passengers with disabilities, reduced mobility, and additional needs explained
This advisory page will summarise your rights under various laws around the world, help you understand what assistance you can expect, and what you can do if you don't get it.
Please note that we can provide information only. We cannot help you request assistance or make a complaint, unless it concerns a delayed or cancelled flight.
What are my rights?
Passengers with a disability have the same right to access air travel as people without disabilities.
Although the specifics of the laws differ from country to country, they are intended to ensure as many people as possible can travel with ease and dignity.
Some laws set standards of accessibility for airports and airplanes, to ensure people with disabilities can use them, while other laws give you the right to the assistance that you require in order to travel.
How to request special assistance
Many laws give you the right to what’s referred to as special assistance. This is a service provided by airlines and airports to make sure air passengers with disabilities, reduced mobility, and additional needs have access to assistance they need to travel with dignity at every stage of their journey, from departure to arrival.
That could be airport wheelchair assistance or other forms of mobility help, but it can also be assistance for the elderly, or welcoming air passengers with service dogs.
There's no universal rule for requesting special assistance.
However, most laws specify that there should be an easily accessible way for you to request special assistance when you book your flight, whether that is via a tour operator or directly with the airline.
To get the best possible support, plan ahead.
In some countries the laws give specific limits. In the UK, passengers need to contact airlines and airports at least 48 hours before traveling, while in Brazil, 72 hours' notice is sometimes required. In the US, airlines may not ask for advance notice unless your request is likely to require a lot of planning.
Our advice is simple: plan as early as possible.
Regulations around the world
There are a number of laws around the world protecting your rights as a passenger with a disability, reduced mobility, or additional needs. We’ll explain some of the main ones.
Equality Act 2010 & the Civil Aviation Regulations 2014
Covers all passengers who are disabled, the elderly, and those with social communication and interaction difficulties
Applies on all flights to or from UK airports on UK- or EU-registered airlines, and flights from outside the UK or EU to the EU on UK carriers
In the UK, disabled passengers have the right to assistance suitable to their needs which must be provided free of charge at the airport and on board the aircraft.
The law states that disabilities don't need to be permanent or apparent in order to benefit from assistance.
The Air Carrier Access Act
Covers all passengers who are disabled, and traveling with service animals
Applies on all flights to, from, or within the US
The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) makes it illegal for airlines to discriminate against passengers with disabilities, and requires airlines to accommodate the needs of such passengers. The ACAA is enforced by the US Department of Transportation.
EC 1107/2006 Concerning the rights of disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility when traveling by air
Covers all passengers with disabilities or traveling with assistance dogs, and people with reduced mobility – including the elderly, pregnant women, and those traveling with small children
Applies on all flights within the European Union
EU regulation EC 1107/2006 states that disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility should be able to access and benefit from European air services comparable to that of other non-disabled citizens, and have the same right as all other citizens to free movement, freedom of choice, and non-discrimination.
These provisions ensure that passengers with disabilities can travel with dignity and comfort.
Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations (ATPDR)
Covers all passengers who are disabled, requiring assistive devices, or service animals
Applies on all flights to, from, or within Canada
The Canadian Transportation Agency protects the rights of people with disabilities to accessible transportation services with a set of rules called the ATPDR.
These regulations make sure that passengers with disabilities have barrier-free access to the Canadian transportation network.
They ensure that transportation service providers, such as airlines and airports, uphold the rights of air passengers and provide the range of services listed in the ATPDR.
ANAC Resolution 280/2013
Covers all passengers who are disabled, over 60, are pregnant or breastfeeding, have reduced mobility, or are traveling with young children
Applies on all flights departing or arriving in Brazil
In Brazil the law gives people the right to special assistance if they need it, to ensure that all passengers have equal access to travel.
Passengers who require special assistance are considered priority passengers at all stages of the journey. That means you must be given priority when boarding the plane, but also be helped first should anything go wrong. For example, if the flight is cancelled, you get priority when it comes to alternative flights and accommodation.
The Brazilian government has published a useful guide to passenger rights and mobility.
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Commonly asked questions
What's airport assistance?
Airport assistance, also known as special assistance, is a service designed to help passengers from the moment they arrive at the departure airport to the moment they leave the destination airport. It's typically free of charge and applies specifically to passengers with a disability, reduced mobility, additional needs, with service animals, the elderly, and in some cases, people who are pregnant.
How do I request special assistance/airport assistance/mobility assistance?
You can request it by contacting either the airport you're visiting or the airline you're flying with. Ask them what types of special assistance they can provide.
Can I take a service animal?
In many cases it is possible to travel with your guide dog. In fact, many airports and airlines must facilitate this. It's possible that the airline will need proof that your guide dog has received the appropriate training. Contact the airline to find out.
Can I get financial compensation if I've been mistreated or discriminated against?
It depends. The first thing to do is contact the airline or airport to complain. If their response is unsatisfactory, complaints can be escalated to national enforcement bodies.
What happens to my equipment when I fly?
In Brazil, Canada, the EU, the UK, and the US, your equipment, such as wheelchairs or other assistive devices, should be handled with care, and transported free of charge by the airline. Airlines should stow these items in the aircraft cabin when possible, but if not, they'll be stored in the cargo hold and returned to you at the aircraft door upon arrival.
In the US, there's additional protection under the Air Carrier Access Act, ensuring compensation if your equipment is damaged.
How do I get to my seat on the plane?
Airlines should provide assistance to help you reach your seat free of charge. If you require mobility assistance, this may include using a lift or an aisle wheelchair. For your peace of mind, we'd recommend checking that this assistance is available in your country or region at the time of booking.
Often, low cost airlines don’t use jet bridges (enclosed corridors from the terminal building to the aircraft). This can sometimes make accessing aircraft more complicated. Though you’re still entitled to the same standard of special assistance when flying with a low cost airline, we’d recommend contacting them as well as the departure and arrival airports to ensure that they know you’re travelling.
Additional resources, links, and further reading
Canada
Government of Canada accessibility plan progress report 2023
Government of Canada information website for travelling with disabilities
UK
Civil Aviation Authority news article on improvements in airport accessibility since the pandemic
Civil Aviation Authority performance report on UK airport accessibility 2023/2024
USA
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