If you have seen the WCHS airline code on a flight booking or while arranging airport assistance, it is a wheelchair-related Special Service Request (SSR) code.
WCHS is used for a passenger who cannot go up or down aircraft steps but can make their own way to and from their seat inside the aircraft. The passenger also needs a wheelchair, or equivalent assistance, for longer distances through the airport and to or from the aircraft.
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It is one of three wheelchair assistance codes you will commonly see when booking a flight: WCHR, WCHS and WCHC. Choosing the right one matters because each code describes a different level of mobility assistance.
What Does the WCHS Airline Code Stand For?
WCHS means Wheelchair – Steps. The “S” refers to steps.
According to IATA guidance, WCHS applies when a passenger cannot ascend or descend steps but can make their own way to and from the cabin seat. They need wheelchair assistance for the distance between the terminal and aircraft, and assistance is required if boarding or leaving the aircraft involves stairs.
The code is added to the passenger’s booking so the airline and airport assistance provider know what level of help has been requested.
You can find WCHS alongside many other accessibility codes in my guide to airline and airport disability codes.
Who Is WCHS Assistance For?
WCHS may be suitable for a traveller who can walk short distances and move around the aircraft cabin but cannot safely use stairs.
For example, it may be appropriate for someone who:
- can walk from the aircraft door to their seat;
- can sit down and stand up without being physically transferred into the cabin seat;
- can move within the aircraft cabin;
- needs a wheelchair for longer distances through the terminal; and
- cannot safely climb or descend aircraft steps.
The reason a passenger cannot manage stairs can vary. WCHS is based on the assistance required rather than a particular diagnosis.
What Help Does Using the WCHS Code Usually Include?
The exact service can vary between airports, but the WCHS airline code generally tells the assistance team that the passenger needs mobility support through the airport and cannot use aircraft stairs.
Depending on the airport and how the aircraft is parked, assistance may include:
- a wheelchair or other mobility assistance through the terminal;
- help travelling between check-in, security and the departure gate;
- assistance between the gate and aircraft;
- an accessible boarding method if the aircraft is reached by stairs;
- help when leaving the aircraft at the destination; and
- assistance through the arrivals area where provided.
The equipment used to avoid stairs depends on the airport. It may involve an ambulift, lift-equipped vehicle, boarding bridge or another accessible boarding method. You can learn more about airport special assistance in my guide which breaks down what you can ask for and what to expect on the day.
The WCHS airline code does not normally mean the passenger needs to be physically transferred into their aircraft seat. A passenger who needs assistance all the way to or from the cabin seat may require the WCHC code instead.
What Is the Difference Between WCHR, WCHS and WCHC?
The three codes describe progressively different mobility needs. The key distinction is whether the passenger can use steps and whether they can make their own way to the cabin seat.
- WCHR – Wheelchair, Ramp: the passenger needs a wheelchair for longer distances but can use aircraft steps and can make their own way to and from the cabin seat.
- WCHS – Wheelchair, Steps: the passenger cannot use aircraft steps but can make their own way to and from the cabin seat.
- WCHC – Wheelchair, Cabin Seat: the passenger requires the highest level of wheelchair assistance and needs help to or from the cabin seat as well as with steps and airport distances.
If you are unsure which code applies, describe to the airline exactly what you can and cannot do rather than choosing a code based only on its name. Airline staff should then be able to record the appropriate assistance request.
Does the WCHS Code Mean You Have to Use a Wheelchair?
Not necessarily in everyday life. A person can request the WCHS airline code even if they do not normally use a wheelchair away from the airport. Airports can involve long walking distances, queues, slopes and time pressure. Someone who can walk independently in other settings may still need mobility assistance for an airport journey.
The important question is what assistance is required for the flight journey, not whether the traveller owns or routinely uses a wheelchair.
Can You Request WCHS if You Have Your Own Wheelchair?
Yes. The WCHS code describes the level of assistance a passenger needs. Separate SSR codes may be used to record information about a passenger’s own wheelchair or mobility aid.
If you travel with your own wheelchair, tell the airline about it when arranging assistance. Airlines may need details such as whether the chair is manual or powered, its dimensions and weight, and the type of battery fitted to a powered mobility aid.
Do not assume that requesting the WCHS SSR code automatically gives the airline all the information it needs about your personal wheelchair.
How Do You Add the WCHS Code to a Flight Booking?
The process depends on the airline. Some airlines let you select special assistance while booking or through the manage-booking section of their website. Others ask you to contact a dedicated accessibility or special assistance team.
When requesting help, explain that the passenger:
- needs wheelchair assistance through the airport;
- cannot climb or descend aircraft stairs; and
- can walk from the aircraft door to their seat without a physical transfer.
This description helps staff identify when to use WCHS even if you do not know the code yourself.
Arrange assistance as early as practical and follow the airline’s instructions about advance notice. Requirements can differ between airlines and routes.
You can also use the PRM Assist app to book assistance, but I recommend calling your airline with more details either way.
What Happens at the Airport With WCHS Assistance?
When you arrive, follow the airport or airline instructions for reporting for special assistance. This may mean going to an assistance reception point, check-in desk or designated call point. The assistance provider will usually confirm the help you need and arrange support through the airport. At some airports, passengers receiving assistance wait in a dedicated area before being taken to the gate or aircraft.
How boarding works depends on the airport stand. If the aircraft is connected to the terminal by an airbridge, stairs may not be involved. If the aircraft is parked remotely, staff need to provide an appropriate way for a WCHS passenger to board without climbing the aircraft steps.
It is worth confirming your needs again with assistance staff on the day, particularly if walking distances or stairs would create a safety problem.
Does the WCHS Code Include Help Inside the Aircraft?
The WCHS airline code indicates that the passenger can make their own way to and from the cabin seat. It therefore does not describe the same level of in-cabin mobility assistance as WCHC.
If you cannot walk from the aircraft door to your seat, cannot transfer into the seat without physical assistance, or need an aisle chair to reach the seat, tell the airline. WCHC may be more appropriate.
If you need an onboard wheelchair during the flight, mention that separately too. IATA uses the WCOB code for an onboard wheelchair request, and airlines may require advance notice.
Is WCHS the Same at Every Airport?
The meaning of the code is standardised, but the practical service can look different from one airport to another. Airport layouts, boarding arrangements and available equipment vary. One airport may use an airbridge, while another may use buses and aircraft steps. Assistance may therefore be delivered differently even though the booking carries the same WCHS code.
This is one reason it is useful to look at airport-specific accessibility information before travelling.
WCHS and PRM Assistance
You may also see the term PRM when arranging wheelchair assistance. PRM means Person with Reduced Mobility.
PRM is a broader accessibility term, while WCHS is a specific airline booking code describing the level of wheelchair assistance requested.
A passenger can therefore be described as a PRM and have WCHS recorded on their booking. My guide to what PRM means for disabled travellers explains the terminology in more detail.
What if Your Mobility Needs Change Before the Flight?
Contact the airline if the level of assistance you need changes after booking.
For example, someone originally booked as WCHR may later find that they cannot safely manage stairs. In that situation, WCHS may be more appropriate. If they can no longer make their own way to the cabin seat, WCHC may be needed instead.
Updating the request before travel gives the airline and airport assistance provider a better chance of arranging suitable equipment and staffing.
FAQ About the WCHS Airline Code
What does the WCHS airline code mean on a boarding pass?
WCHS is a wheelchair Special Service Request code. It means the passenger cannot use aircraft steps but can make their own way to and from the cabin seat and needs wheelchair assistance for airport distances.
What does the S in the WCHS airline code mean?
The S in the WCHS airline code refers to steps. WCHS identifies a passenger who cannot ascend or descend aircraft steps.
Is WCHS more assistance than WCHR?
Yes, in relation to stairs. A WCHR airline code passenger can manage steps independently, while a WCHS airline code passenger cannot. Both can make their own way to and from the cabin seat.
Is WCHS less assistance than WCHC?
Generally, yes. A WCHS passenger can move to and from the cabin seat independently. A WCHC passenger needs assistance to or from the cabin seat as well as with airport distances and steps.
Do I need medical evidence to request to use the WCHS airline code?
Requirements vary by airline, route and circumstances. Wheelchair assistance is normally arranged according to the passenger’s functional needs, but you should check the operating airline’s current rules if you are unsure what information it requires.
Can I request WCHS without owning a wheelchair?
Yes. WCHS describes the assistance needed during the airport and boarding journey. You do not have to be a permanent wheelchair user or own a wheelchair to require this support.
The simplest way to remember what the WCHS airline code means is that the passenger needs wheelchair assistance and cannot manage steps, but can get to and from the aircraft seat independently.
If that does not accurately describe your mobility, tell the airline what you can and cannot do. The correct SSR code should reflect the help you actually need rather than forcing your requirements to fit a particular label.
Continue Learning About Airline Codes
Understanding these SSR codes can make it easier to check that the right assistance has been added to your booking. You can explore my guides to airline SSR disability codes to learn what the different codes mean, when they are used and what support you may need to arrange before you fly.
- Airline and airport codes and what they mean
- Download a copy of all of the airline SSR disability codes for free
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- Download a list of all of the airline meal codes for free
- Learn which airline meal codes are for travellers with allergies
- What does DPNA mean?
- Download a free, printable checklist for MEDA passengers to complete before they fly
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