Facilities for disabled people at UK airports and airlines
Since new EU regulations came into force in 2008 responsibility for looking after disabled passengers has shifted from individual airlines to the airports themselves. But to guarantee a seamless journey people with reduced mobility inevitably have to rely on both service providers for assistance.
Wheelchair users and other special needs travellers must notify airlines or travel agents of their requirements no later than 48 hours before departure. This will allow time for your operator to liaise with the airport and make all the necessary arrangements. In certain cases – for example if you are unable to reach an emergency exit unaided – the carrier may insist that you travel with a companion who can provide assistance.
The tables below give details of the various special needs facilities and services offered by some of Britain’s main airports and airlines. For further guidance you should also have a read through Cheapflights’ handy Disabled Travel tip.
| Contact | Special-assistance facilities | |
| London Heathrow Airport | 0844 335 1801 feedback@heathrow.com |
Special assistance areas are located throughout the terminals. T1 before security: Check-in Zone B and K in departures. T1 after security: Behind WHSmith – near Flight Connections Centre. T2 before security: at check-in zone C next to security and Travelex Bureau de change. T2 after security: on gate level next to World Duty Free. T3 before security: on the first floor, opposite Internet Café, above zones A and B in departures. T3 after security: at the back of World Duty Free in the additional seating area. T4 before security: at check-in zone B next to Excess Baggage in departures. T4 after security: the Serenity Lounge to the rear of World Duty Free and to the left of Costa Coffee. T5 before security: at check-in zone G in departures. T5 after security: the Lichfield Suite, which is located opposite Gate 20. T5B after security: before the entrance to gates 18 – 24, and next to the lifts opposite Café Apostrophe. Blue and orange badge parking in all short stay car parks. Induction loops throughout all terminals. |
| London Gatwick Airport | 0844 892 0322 select option 5 |
Special assistance points are found throughout the airport. Induction loops and reserved seating areas are available. Disabled (blue badge) parking is found in the short-stay car parks at both terminals. Accessible routes into the terminals are signposted. |
| London Stansted Airport | 0844 335 1803 01279 663 725 (minicom) STN.PRM@airservcorp.com |
Short Stay Car Park – Blue Badge parking is located in both short stay car parks. Mid Stay Car Park – Blue Badge parking is in zone L, close to the bus pick-up shelter. Long Stay Car Park – Blue Badge parking is in zone Q The special assistance help desk is at the front of the terminal building, between Check-in Zones D and E (24/7 service). Induction loops are fitted in certain areas of the terminal and satellites. Transit system is wheelchair accessible. |
| Manchester Airport | 0871 271 0711 (OCS Staff) | Designated assistance points with telephones, intercoms and drop-down seats located throughout car parks and the airport. Disabled parking spaces charges apply (£2.90 for up to 30 minutes). |
| Birmingham Airport | 0121 767 7878 bhx.prm@ocs.co.uk |
Staff with sign language can be contacted via the Special Assistance Reception Desk. Induction Loop System (and mini-loop systems) are installed around the terminals. Blue Badge holders may park free of charge for up to one hour in the Drop & Go area (must have a Blue Badge and car parking ticket from the NCP Customer Services desk in the terminal building). |
| Edinburgh Airport | 0844 448 8833 | Induction loops (look for the “sympathetic ear” symbol) are dotted throughout the terminal. Payphones and credit-card telephones are adapted for hearing aids and directional signs are in high-contrast black and yellow. Help points and reserved seating are available. Vehicles carrying passengers with blue badges are given 30 minutes’ free access. |
| Glasgow Airport | 0141 842 7700 | Blue Badge parking is available on the ground floor of car park 1 and all floors of car park 2. The help point in car park 2 is on the ground floor. There are reserved seating areas, help points, induction loops, satellite phones and text phones for the hearing impaired throughout the airport. |
| Guide dogs 2 | Braille safety cards | Medical oxygen supplied | Mobility aids carried | Disabled toilets | |
| British Airways | Yes | Individual safety briefings | Free | Free | Majority of aircraft, contact airline for more details |
| easyJet | Yes | No | No 3 | Free | No |
| Monarch | Yes | No | £100 3 | Free | No |
| Ryanair | Certain routes only – yes on EU flights | No | £50 | Free | No |
| Thomson Flights | Yes on Thomson Airways | No | Free | Free | Boeing 787 |
| Virgin Atlantic | Certain routes only | Yes | Free (give 72 hr notice) | Free | Airbus – one fully wheelchair-accessible toilet. Boeing 747-400 – partially accessible toilets |
| 2 Guide dogs that are accompanying visually impaired travellers must be complaint with the DEFRA Pet Travel Scheme (commonly known as Pet’s Passport). For more details see our Flying with Pets guide. | |||||
| 3 Monarch and easyJet both allow passengers to carry their own portable oxygen cylinders free of charge. Cylinders are restricted in size to 0.5 metres long and 250 mm in diameter, and appropriate medical documentation must be presented during check-in. | |||||
(Featured image: Hiroyuki Takeda)
