One of the most common questions I receive from disabled travellers, autistic travellers and parents of disabled children is: “What support is available at [insert city name here] airport?”
The good news is that airports around the world now offer a wide range of assistance services. These can include wheelchair assistance, help navigating terminals, support through security and immigration, sensory-friendly facilities, assistance for hidden disabilities and dedicated services for passengers travelling with medical equipment.
However, every airport is different. Some have excellent hidden disability programmes, sensory rooms and dedicated assistance teams, while others provide more basic support. This guide brings together all of my airport assistance and disabled facilities guides in one place so you can quickly find information for the airport, country or region you are travelling to.
Whether you are travelling with autism, ADHD, a mobility impairment, a chronic illness, a visual impairment or any other disability, these guides can help you prepare for a smoother journey.
Below you will find guides to all the special assistance and disabled facilities guides I have covered for different countries and cities. I am also working on creating a list with links to special assistance departments of airports in each country. If there is no pink link showing, it is because the post is coming soon and is not live yet – stay tuned! I have also put together some guides with links to special assistance departments in countries where I have visited by cruise ship so do not already have airport assistance or disabled facilities guides. I hope these can still be useful because they were created with the intention to save others time and headaches searching for the information that can be hard to locate.
Understanding Travelling With a Disability
The main topics I cover on this website when it comes to travelling with a disability are:
- Travelling with autism/travelling with autistic children
- Travelling with ADHD
- Travelling with (mainly food) allergies
- Travelling with reduced mobility (and using disability pushchairs)
- Travelling with fibromyalgia and chronic pain
Each of these is a separate guide, which links out to more specific topics that you can delve into depending on what information you need.
Understanding Airport Assistance Before You Travel
Before exploring airport-specific guides, you may find these resources helpful:
Bathrooms:
Airports and Flying:
- Getting help at the airport as a disabled person
- What is the DPNA code?
- Airport and airline disability codes
- Airline meal codes and what they mean
- The Sunflower Lanyard
- Flying with medical luggage
- Medical luggage policies for Europe’s top 25 airlines
- Medical luggage policies for the worlds top 25 airlines
- The AENA hidden disability badge (Spain)
- Compression socks for flying
- How to book Ryanair and easyJet special assistance
- What is PRM assist?
Medical and healthcare:
- What is the GHIC card?
- Flying with medical luggage
- Medical luggage policies for Europe’s top 25 airlines
- Medical luggage policies for the worlds top 25 airlines
Disability cards:
Miscellaneous:
- The importance of learning phrases related to your disability when you travel
- How to set up Google maps accessibility feature
- How to prevent shower slips in hotels
Understanding Airport Assistance Codes
When booking flights you may come across various assistance codes. Understanding these codes can help ensure you receive the correct support.
You may wish to read:
- What the DPNA code means
- Airport and airline disability assistance codes explained
- The Sunflower Lanyard scheme
- Medical luggage allowances and policies
- Medical luggage policies for the world’s top 25 airlines
- Medical luggage policies for Europe’s top 25 airlines
United Kingdom Airport Assistance Guides
The United Kingdom has some of the most developed airport assistance programmes in Europe. Many airports participate in hidden disability schemes and offer support for autistic and neurodivergent travellers.
United Kingdom
England
Heathrow:
- Heathrow airport special assistance
- Disabled facilities at Heathrow airport
Scotland
Edinburgh:
Glasgow:
Northern Ireland
- Belfast airport special assistance
- Disabled facilities at Belfast airport
Europe Airport Assistance Guides
Belgium
Brussels:
- Brussels Charleroi airport special assistance
- Disabled facilities at Brussels Charleroi airport
Denmark
Copenhagen:
- Copenhagen airport special assistance
- Disabled facilities at Copenhagen airport
Finland
Helsinki:
- Helsinki airport special assistance
- Disabled facilities at Helsinki airport
France
Paris:
- Paris CDG airport special assistance
- Disabled facilities at Paris CDG airport
- Paris Orly airport special assistance
- Disabled facilities at Paris Orly airport
Germany
Hamburg:
- Hamburg airport special assistance
- Disabled facilities at Hamburg airport
Greece
Ireland
Dublin:
- Dublin airport special assistance
- Disabled facilities at Dublin airport
Italy
Venice:
- Venice Marco Polo airport special assistance
- Disabled facilities at Venice Marco Polo airport
Bologna:
- Bologna airport special assistance
- Disabled facilities at Bologna airport
Lithuania
Kaunas:
- Kaunas airport special assistance
- Disabled facilities at Kaunas airport
Malta
Malta:
- Malta airport special assistance
- Disabled facilities at Malta airport
Netherlands
Norway
Oslo:
- Oslo airport special assistance
- Disabled facilities at Oslo airport
Poland
Katowice:
- Katowice airport special assistance
- Disabled facilities at Katowice airport
Spain
Spain has extensive airport assistance services through AENA airports. Many Spanish airports also participate in hidden disability initiatives and provide support for autistic passengers. My guide to the AENA hidden disability badge is a great place to start planning your trip via a Spanish airport.
Barcelona:
- Barcelona El Prat airport special assistance
- Disabled facilities at Barcelona El Prat airport
Sweden
Gothenburg:
- Gothenburg airport special assistance
- Disabled facilities at Gothenburg airport
Switzerland
Basel:
- Basel airport special assistance
- Disabled facilities at Basel airport
Geneva:
- Geneva airport special assistance
- Disabled facilities at Geneva airport
Zurich:
- Zurich airport special assistance
- Disabled facilities at Zurich airport
Turkey
Istanbul:
- Istanbul IST airport special assistance
- Disabled facilities at Istanbul IST airport
Asia Airport Assistance Guides
China
China’s major airports increasingly provide wheelchair services, assistance teams and accessible facilities for disabled passengers.
Beijing:
Hong Kong
Hong Kong International Airport is one of Asia’s most accessible airports, with extensive facilities for disabled travellers and passengers requiring special assistance.
Hong Kong:
- Hong Kong International airport special assistance
- Disabled facilities at Hong Kong International airport
Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur:
- Kuala Lumpur airport special assistance
- Disabled facilities at Kuala Lumpur airport
Philippines
Manila:
- Manila airport special assistance
- Disabled facilities at Manila airport
Cebu:
- Cebu airport special assistance
- Disabled facilities at Cebu airport
Singapore
Singapore is widely regarded as one of the easiest airports in the world for disabled travellers. Changi Airport offers excellent accessibility features, assistance services and facilities for passengers with hidden disabilities.
Singapore:
- Singapore Changi airport special assistance
- Disabled facilities at Singapore Changi airport
Taiwan
Taiwan’s major airports offer comprehensive assistance services, accessible transport connections and facilities for disabled passengers.
- Special assistance links for all of Taiwan’s airports
Taipei-Taoyuan:
- Taipei Taoyuan TPE airport special assistance
- Disabled facilities at Taipei Taoyuan TPE airport
Thailand
Thailand’s largest airports provide wheelchair assistance, buggy services and support for passengers requiring additional help. However, facilities can vary significantly between airports.
Bangkok:
- Bangkok Suvarnabhumi BKK airport special assistance
- Disabled facilities at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi BKK airport
- Don Muang DMK airport special assistance
- Disabled facilities at Don Muang DMK airport
Surat Thani:
- Surat Thani airport special assistance
- Disabled facilities at Surat Thani airport
Chiang Mai:
- Chiang Mai airport special assistance
- Disabled facilities at Chiang Mai airport
Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City:
- Ho Chi Minh City airport special assistance
- Disabled facilities at Ho Chi Minh City airport
Qatar
Qatar’s airports offer extensive accessibility services and dedicated support teams for disabled travellers.
Doha:
- Doha airport special assistance
- Disabled facilities at Doha airport
United Arab Emirates
The UAE has invested heavily in accessibility, particularly at major international airports.
Dubai:
- Dubai International DXB airport special assistance
- Disabled facilities at Dubai International DXB airport
South America Airport Assistance Guides
Argentina
Buenos Aires:
- Buenos Aires EZE airport special assistance
- Disabled facilities at Buenos Aires EZE airport
Brazil
Rio de Janeiro:
- Rio De Janeiro GIG airport special assistance
- Disabled facilities at Rio De Janeiro GIG airport
Guadeloupe
Add your Guadeloupe airport assistance articles here.
Africa Airport Assistance Guides
Egypt
Hurghada:
- Hurghada airport special assistance
- Disabled facilities at Hurghada airport
Ethiopia
Addis Ababa:
- Addis Ababa airport special assistance
- Disabled facilities at Addis Ababa airport
Morocco
Agadir:
- Agadir airport special assistance
- Disabled facilities at Agadir airport
Tunisia
Enfidha:
- Enfidha airport special assistance
- Disabled facilities at Enfidha airport
What Facilities Can Disabled Travellers Expect At Airports?
While facilities vary between airports, many major airports now offer:
- Wheelchair assistance
- Accessible toilets
- Changing Places facilities at selected airports
- Assistance through security and immigration
- Priority boarding support
- Mobility aid handling services
- Sensory rooms
- Quiet rooms
- Hidden disability programmes
- Sunflower Lanyard participation
- Assistance for visually impaired travellers
- Assistance for deaf and hard-of-hearing travellers
- Medical rooms and first aid facilities
- Accessible parking
- Accessible public transport links
Not every airport provides all of these facilities, which is why researching before you travel is so important.
Airport assistance can transform the travel experience for disabled travellers, autistic passengers and families travelling with additional support needs. Knowing what services are available before you arrive can reduce stress, improve confidence and help make your journey much smoother.
As I continue to visit airports around the world, I will keep adding new airport assistance guides, hidden disability schemes and disabled facilities reviews to this page. Bookmark it and check back regularly for new destinations and updated information.
Frequently Asked Questions About Airport Assistance
Who Can Use Airport Special Assistance?
Airport special assistance is available to anyone who needs additional support to travel through the airport. This includes wheelchair users, people with mobility difficulties, blind or visually impaired travellers, deaf passengers, autistic travellers, people with ADHD, learning disabilities, chronic illnesses, mental health conditions and many other hidden disabilities. You do not usually need to be a wheelchair user to qualify for assistance.
Do I Need Proof Of My Disability To Get Airport Assistance?
In most cases, no. Airports and airlines generally do not require passengers to provide medical evidence when requesting assistance. However, some countries, airlines or specific services may occasionally request additional information, particularly if you are travelling with medical equipment or require specialised support. It is always best to check the airline’s policy before travelling.
How Far In Advance Should I Book Airport Assistance?
Most airlines recommend requesting airport assistance at least 48 hours before departure. This allows the airport and airline time to arrange the necessary support. If you forget to book in advance, airports will usually still try to help, but you may experience longer waiting times and assistance cannot always be guaranteed.
What Is The DPNA Code?
DPNA stands for Disabled Passenger With Intellectual Or Developmental Disability Needing Assistance. It is an airline assistance code commonly used for autistic passengers and travellers with developmental disabilities. Adding the DPNA code to your booking can help airport and airline staff understand that additional support may be needed during the journey.
Can I Get Help If I Have A Hidden Disability?
Yes. Many airports now recognise hidden disabilities and offer dedicated support schemes. This may include hidden disability lanyards, sensory rooms, quiet spaces, priority queues and staff trained to assist passengers with autism, ADHD, anxiety, dementia and other non-visible conditions. Support varies between airports, so it is worth checking what is available before you travel.
What Happens When I Arrive At The Airport With Assistance Booked?
The exact process varies by airport, but typically you will check in as normal before meeting an assistance representative at a designated assistance point. They can help you navigate the airport, accompany you through security and immigration, assist with boarding and, if required, provide support after landing. Some airports also offer electric buggy transport or wheelchair assistance for longer distances within the terminal.
Continue Planning Your Trip With Autistic Children
- Find out about the help available if you are travelling through an airport
- Discover whether a cruise with an autistic child would work for your family
- Find out how to make travelling with ADHD manageable
- Learn more about the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard
- Check out guides to all of the different destinations we have travelled to with autistic children
- Learn step-by-step how to set up the accessibility feature on Google maps
- Learn more about our favourite sensory toys for travelling
- Discover an app that helps you locate a playground anywhere in the world
- Always alerted at the last minute that the little one needs a toilet? Find a toilet anywhere with this app
Continue Planning Your Trip With an Allergy
- Learn about airline meal codes and what they stand for so you can be sure your meal is allergen free
- Find out what I pack in my babies allergy travel bag for travelling abroad
- Find out about flying with medical luggage and what you can and cannot travel with
- Print out some free allergy translation cards before you travel abroad
- Download the free eBook and learn some important phrases related to your allergy before you travel to another country
- Find out what to include on a doctors travel letter for flying with medication such as EpiPens
Continue Planning Your Trip as a Traveller With ADHD
- First, check out my travel guide for ADHD travellers for practical planning advice
- Learn what to include on a doctors letter for travelling with medication so you get your letter right the first time
- Find out more about flying with medical luggage and equipment and what extras you can bring for free
- Check out why you should learn important phrases related to your disability before you travel and download the free eBook with accessible travel translations from my guide
- Find out about the different codes airports and airlines use, especially disability codes
- Learn more about the DPNA code and what it means for travellers with hidden disabilities
- Find out more about the Sunflower Lanyard and how it can support ADHD travellers
- Learn more about getting help at the airport as someone with ADHD and how it can support your travel plans
- Find out how to use the PRM Assist app to book special assistance at the airport
Continue Planning Your Accessible Trip With My Guides
You can click on each image to go directly to the guide for that topic.
