Flying with a disability or additional needs can feel overwhelming—but Glasgow Airport is one of the better UK airports when it comes to support. Whether you need mobility assistance, help navigating security, or a quieter space to regulate, there are a range of facilities designed to make your journey smoother and less stressful.
Special Assistance at Glasgow Airport
You can request special assistance when booking your flight or at least 48 hours before departure. My guide to getting help at the airport covers exactly what you need to do to secure the exact type of help you need to travel. Your airline should discuss your needs, or your child’s needs, with you and apply a disability code to the passenger booking. Learn from my post about what airport and airline codes are and which airport disability codes exist so you know which one should be applied to your travel booking. You can also use the PRM Assist app to pre-book special assistance.
On arrival, head to one of the clearly marked assistance points or the special assistance desk inside the terminal.
Support can include:
- Help from check-in through to boarding
- Assistance with security and passport control
- Buggy or wheelchair transport through the airport
- Help with boarding and disembarking the aircraft
If you arrive without pre-booking, staff will still do their best to assist you – but you may need to wait longer, so don’t leave this to chance if you can avoid it.
Accessibility Inside The Terminal
The terminal is relatively compact, which works in your favour if walking long distances is difficult.
Facilities include:
- Step-free access throughout the terminal
- Lifts and ramps between all levels
- Clearly marked accessible routes
- Assistance-friendly security lanes
Seating is available throughout, though it can get busy at peak times – so if you need a quieter or less crowded space, it’s worth asking staff for guidance. You can also use Glasgow Airport’s accessibility booklet to see distances between certain points of the airport and all of the Help Points are marked on the map page too.
You can check out the map of Glasgow Airport to pre-plan your routes and find accessible options.
Changing Places & Accessible Toilets
There are accessible toilets located throughout the airport, as well as a Changing Places facility, which is essential for travellers with more complex needs.
These include:
- Hoists
- Adult-sized changing benches
- More space for carers
- Accessible sinks and toilets
If you need access to the Changing Places room, speak to a member of staff or look for the signage which will direct you to the Changing Places room. It is located between the WHSmith and Luggage Point stores in the main check-in hall, but just ask for help if you are struggling to find it in the moment.
I have a seperate guide which shows you how to find a toilet anywhere.
Hidden Disabilities Support
Glasgow Airport supports passengers with non-visible disabilities through the Sunflower Lanyard scheme.
Wearing a lanyard discreetly signals to staff that you may need:
- More time
- Clearer communication
- Additional support
You can request a lanyard at the airport or arrange one in advance. Learn more about the Glasgow Airport Sunflower Lanyard.
Security & Boarding
Security can be one of the most stressful parts of the airport experience – but staff are trained to support passengers with additional needs.
You can request:
- A more guided, slower security process
- Private search areas if required
- Help with trays, bags, and equipment
Boarding is usually arranged with priority access for those needing assistance, giving you extra time and space to get settled.
Sensory Considerations
While Glasgow Airport doesn’t have a fully dedicated sensory room like some larger airports, there are still ways to make the experience manageable:
- Quieter seating areas away from busy gates
- A parent and baby room which is much quieter than the main waiting areas
- Staff who understand sensory needs
- The ability to request early boarding to avoid crowds
Top tip: bring familiar comfort items, headphones, or snacks—especially if your child struggles with noise or waiting.
Glasgow airport state specifically on their website airport services page that if you have autism you should “when making a flight reservation and ensure that you book as “DPNA assistance” when asked what help you need. You should also ask the airline or travel agent to add a comment including the word Autism.” This helps ensure you get the support you need.
Getting To And From The Airport
Accessible parking is available close to the terminal, including Blue Badge spaces.
Blue Badge Parking Spaces at Glasgow Airport
Car Park 1:
Car Park 1 has 4 spaces on the ground floor of the multi-storey part. There is no call point. The nearest call point is in the area near the pelican crossing.
Car Park 2:
Car park 2 has 10 spaces on the ground floor plus a help point. All other floors have 12 spaces but no help points. All floors have access to 4 accessible lifts.
All blue badge holders are entitled to 30 minutes free parking by presenting their blue badge at the kiosk in any of our car parks.
Glasgow Airport pick-up for Blue Badge holders:
There is a dedicated pickup area for those who have a Blue Badge on the ground floor of Car Park 2 which is across from the terminal building. There are marked blue badge spaces within this area.
Other options include:
- Accessible taxis
- Assistance on public transport routes
- Drop-off areas close to the entrance
If you need help from the car park to the terminal, you can request assistance in advance and you can use my guide to accessible transport in Scotland to plan your journey to and from the airport.
Glasgow Airport does a solid job of making air travel more accessible, and you can use their airport assistance services guide to learn about accessibility in much more detail – but the biggest difference comes from planning ahead and asking for what you need.
Don’t try to “just manage.” Use the assistance available, advocate for your child (or yourself), and take the pressure off where you can. Travel is still absolutely possible – you just need the right support in place.
Continue Planning Your Trip to Scotland With Kids
- Start at the beginning with my guide to visiting Scotland with kids
- Learn more about travelling Scotland with a baby
- Starting in the capital? Learn more about visiting Edinburgh with kids
- Heading South? Read up on the Scottish Borders, Dumfries and Galloway and tackle my Scottish Borders bucketlist
- Heading North? Read up on Dunoon and the Isle of Lewis and Harris
Continue Planning Your Accessible Trip to The UK
- Ready to start planning your British adventure? Head to my UK with autistic children guide to find airport advice, transport options and so much more
- Planning a Scottish adventure? Read my guide for practical tips for visiting the Scottish Borders with neurodivergent kids.
- Heading south? My England with autistic children guide covers family-friendly destinations, sensory considerations and travel tips across England.
- Exploring Northern Ireland with kids? Find ideas for family days out, travel logistics and accessible travel planning.
- Confused by British money? Learn the difference between English and Scottish bank notes before your trip to the UK.
- Bringing prescription medication to Britain? Read my guide to bringing medication into the UK, including controlled medicines and travel documentation.
Continue Planning Your Europe Travel Itinerary With Children
- Start with planning your overall Europe family trip, including flights, transport, pacing and choosing destinations that suit your child’s needs
- Looking for an easier first-time Europe destination? Consider visiting Denmark with kids for organised cities, reliable transport and family-friendly attractions
- Prefer beaches and slower-paced travel? Find out more about Greece with children for island stays, outdoor dining and flexible family days out
- Planning big city adventures? Discover what to expect in Paris with autistic children, including transport, attractions and sensory considerations
- Want scenic train journeys and nature? Learn more about Switzerland with autistic children for mountain views, calm towns and predictable travel routines
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 Accessible Trip With My Guides
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