Navigating an airport can be overwhelming—especially when you’re travelling with a child who has additional needs. The good news? Special assistance at Glasgow Airport is genuinely well-organised and can make a huge difference to your experience.
Whether your child is autistic, has a hidden disability, or you simply need extra support getting through the airport, this guide will walk you through exactly what to expect—and how to make it work for your family.
Quick wins for using special assistance at Glasgow Airport:
- Book special assistance at least 48 hours before your flight (earlier is always better)
- Use the DPNA code if your child is autistic or has a hidden disability
- Ask for pre-boarding so you can avoid the busy boarding rush
- Request a Sunflower Lanyard if hidden disability support would help
- Arrive a little earlier to reduce stress and allow time for support
- Let staff know exactly what helps your child—quiet spaces, less waiting, step-by-step guidance, or extra time
- Pack familiar snacks, headphones, comfort items, and anything that helps with regulation
- Remember: airport special assistance is completely free—you do not need a Blue Badge or proof of disability
What is special assistance?
Special assistance is a free service designed to support passengers who may need help navigating the airport. My guide to getting help at the airport breaks down exactly the types of help you can expect when you request special assistance at Glasgow Airport.
At Glasgow Airport, this can include:
- Help from check-in to the gate
- Fast-track through security
- Assistance with boarding the aircraft
- Help with luggage and mobility
- Support for hidden disabilities, including autism
This isn’t just for physical disabilities—it’s there for anyone who needs it.
Airlines and airports use a lot of different codes (you can learn about all of the types they use in my airport and airline codes guide) and when it comes to disabilities, they will assign passengers with service needs a four letter code that represents the type of help they need. There are a range of these codes, and each one tells the staff in the airport or on the plane what type of help the passenger needs so it is important to understand these codes and make sure the correct one is assigned to your booking. My guide breaks down the disability codes airports and airlines use and what they mean so you can determine which one fits your situation best. Unless your autistic child also has other disabilities (likely mobility related) the DPNA code is the most likely code you will use. If this code is new to you, my guide to the DPNA code explains what it is and who should use it.
Who can use it?
You can request special assistance if:
- Your child struggles with queues, noise, or crowds
- They are autistic, ADHD, or have sensory processing differences
- You have mobility needs or a medical condition
- You feel you need extra support—no diagnosis required
If you’re debating whether to ask—ask. It’s there to make travel accessible, not harder.
How to book special assistance
You should request assistance at least 48 hours before your flight.
You can do this by:
- Adding it when booking your flight
- Logging into your airline booking afterwards
- Contacting your airline directly
- Using the PRM Assist app
Look for codes like:
- DPNA (intellectual/developmental disability)
- WCHR/WCHS/WCHC (mobility assistance levels)
That DPNA code is especially useful – it quietly signals your needs without you having to explain everything repeatedly. My guide to these disability codes used by airlines and airports breaks down what each one is and who it is for.
Arriving at the airport
The first thing you’ll need to do at Glasgow Airport is either park of be dropped off. My guide to the disabled facilities at Glasgow Airport breaks down where those with a Blue Badge can park or be dropped off and all of the other help and amenities for those with a disability flying from Glasgow Airport.
When you arrive at Glasgow Airport and have parked or been dropped off:
- Head to the special assistance desk or your airline check-in
- Let staff know you’ve booked assistance
- You’ll usually be assigned a staff member or given instructions on where to wait
You can visit any Help Point at Glasgow Airport to contact the special assistance team for help.
Help Point locations at Glasgow Airport
- Drop off point (x3)
- Coach drop off point (x2)
- Within car parks 1,2 and 3
- Central forecourt bus stands
- Long stay car park 4 beside bus shelter
Through security
This is where special assistance really helps.
You’ll usually:
- Skip long queues
- Go through a quieter or priority lane
- Be guided step-by-step by staff
- Are able to ask for a private screening area for body searches
For autistic children, this can massively reduce overwhelm. No long waits, no pressure, and someone there who understands.
Learn beforehand what the hand luggage rules are at UK airports so you can minimise time spent at security in the airport.
Waiting for your flight
After security:
- Staff may take you directly to your gate
- Or help you find a quieter place to sit
Glasgow Airport doesn’t have a widely advertised sensory room, but staff are generally helpful in finding calmer spaces if you ask.
Boarding the plane
You’ll usually be offered:
- Pre-boarding (getting on before everyone else)
- Extra time to settle your child
- Support getting down the aircraft steps or jet bridge
This is one of the most valuable parts of assistance – no rushing, no crowds.
The Sunflower Lanyard
Glasgow Airport supports the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme. If you are new to this, then my guide to the Sunflower Lanyard scheme breaks down what it is and how it can support those with hidden disabilities.
Wearing a sunflower lanyard:
- Signals that you or your child may need extra understanding
- Helps staff approach you with patience and support
- Reduces the need to explain your situation repeatedly
You can often request one at the airport or bring your own. At the airport, the lanyard will be free and may include airport branding alongside the standard sunflower pattern.
Real talk
Yes. Every single time.
Special assistance turns:
- Long, stressful queues → manageable transitions
- Sensory overload → supported movement through the airport
- Anxiety → a clear, guided process
And the biggest shift? You stop feeling like you’re doing it all alone.
Contacting Glasgow Airport special assistance service provider
If you have any questions about the special assistance service at Glasgow Airport, you can contact their service provider for more answers.
Telephone:
0141 842 7700
Email:
The telephone number for assisted travel at Glasgow Airport is open 24 hours a day. The email is not monitored 24/7 so for urgent queries, use the telephone number.
Tips for a smoother experience
- Request assistance early (don’t leave it until the airport)
- Use the DPNA code for hidden disabilities
- Bring familiar items (snacks, headphones, comfort items)
- Tell staff what your child needs—they can adapt
- Don’t be afraid to accept help
Glasgow Airport special assistance FAQ
What qualifies for special assistance at the airport?
Special assistance is available for anyone who needs extra help getting through the airport or boarding their flight. This includes visible disabilities, hidden disabilities, medical conditions, mobility issues, autism, ADHD, sensory processing difficulties, anxiety related to travel, hearing or visual impairments, and temporary injuries such as a broken leg. You do not need to be a wheelchair user to qualify. If queues, crowds, walking long distances, or the airport environment make travel difficult, you can request support.
Where is special assistance at Glasgow Airport?
At Glasgow Airport, special assistance is usually arranged through your airline first, then provided within the terminal by the airport assistance team. When you arrive, you should go to your airline check-in desk or the designated special assistance help point in the terminal. Staff will confirm your booking and guide you from there. If you are arriving by car, there are also assistance help points in the car parks where you can request support to the terminal.
Do you have to pay for airport assistance?
No, airport special assistance is completely free. It is a legal requirement for airports and airlines in the UK and across Europe to provide assistance for disabled passengers and those with reduced mobility at no extra cost. You should never be charged for help with check-in, security, boarding, or moving through the airport.
Do airlines ask for proof of disability?
Usually, no. Most airlines do not ask for formal proof of disability when you request airport assistance, especially for hidden disabilities such as autism or ADHD. They simply need enough information to understand what support you need. However, if you are travelling with certain medical equipment, oxygen, or require approval to fly for medical reasons, the airline may ask for a doctor’s letter or medical clearance.
Do you need a Blue Badge for airport assistance?
No, you do not need a Blue Badge to request airport special assistance. A Blue Badge is for parking and road access, not for airport support. Many people who use airport assistance do not have one, especially those with hidden disabilities or non-visible conditions. Airport assistance is based on your travel needs, not whether you hold a Blue Badge.
When should you book airport assistance?
You should book airport assistance as early as possible, ideally when you book your flight. Most airlines recommend giving at least 48 hours’ notice before departure so the airport team can arrange the right support. Last-minute requests can sometimes still be helped, but advance booking gives you the best chance of a smooth and stress-free experience.
Airports don’t have to be something you avoid.
With the right support in place, Glasgow Airport becomes far more accessible—and far less overwhelming—for families with additional needs.
You’re not asking for special treatment. You’re asking for equal access.
And this is how you get it.
If you’re planning more than just an airport layover, I also have a full guide to visiting Scotland with autistic children, including family-friendly places to stay, accessible days out, transport tips, and ways to make travelling around Scotland much less stressful.