Section 8—Travelling with disability

On this page

• Planning your flight
• At the airport
• Boarding, in-flight and arrival
• Mobility aids and equipment
• Assistance animals

Air travel can be challenging for people who require additional assistance. Physical, medical, sensory and communication barriers, unfamiliar environments and time pressures can make travel stressful without appropriate planning and support.

You may need help at different stages of your journey, including booking, getting to and through the airport, boarding, during the flight, disembarking and transferring between flights.

People with disability have the right to travel safely and with dignity, including access to services, facilities and reasonable adjustments, regardless of the type or visibility of disability. Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, discrimination in air travel is unlawful and includes being denied reasonable access to airline or airport services.

Planning your flight

Check accessibility options

Airports and airlines offer a range of supports to improve accessibility, safety and independence. Before booking, check that services meet your needs, including:

• airport accessibility and available assistance
• boarding arrangements, for example, aerobridges or alternative assistance
• seating options, such as moveable armrests or aisle seats
• aircraft type and onboard facilities
• travelling with mobility aids.

Accessibility planners, airport maps and apps can help you plan your journey, including routes, facilities, parking, sensory maps and quiet spaces. A trial run may also help assess suitability.

Rare Voices Australia has co-designed a Rare Disease Disability Toolkit alongside people living with rare disease disability. The guide to Navigating Air Travel with Rare Disease Disability is an excellent resource for those travelling with a disability and the information in this Section draws heavily from this resource. It contains useful information, checklists and fact sheets, some of which are highlighted in this guide.

Confirm your booking

After booking, confirm key details and request written confirmation if needed, including:

• requested assistance services
• flight details, check-in time and seat allocation
• onboard services and stopovers.

Notify your airline

Tell your airline about your needs as early as possible (ideally at least 48 hours before travel) so arrangements can be made. This is particularly important if travelling with mobility aids, medical equipment or assistance animals.

If travelling internationally, ask about support available at your destination.

At the airport

Getting around

Airports can be complex to navigate. Plan ahead and arrive early. Assistance may not be available before check-in, but airlines can usually assist from check-in through to boarding if notified in advance.

Airport maps, accessible parking, drop-off zones, apps and quiet rooms may help reduce stress, particularly for neurodivergent travellers.

Check-in and assistance

Airlines may offer priority check-in and can assist with kiosks, baggage and mobility aids. You can:

• request seating that meets your needs (fees may apply)
• ask for wheelchair assistance through the airport
• receive help boarding and disembarking.

Assistance may be limited after arrival, so consider travelling with a support person or carer if needed.

Security screening

All passengers must undergo security screening, but alternative methods may be used where appropriate to ensure respectful and dignified treatment.

• Inform screening officers if you need assistance.
• You may need supporting documentation for alternative screening.
• Communication tools, such as notification cards or boards, may be available.
• If you are separated from belongings during screening, you can request staff to supervise them.
• Assistive items may be retained where possible or screened separately.

Boarding, in-flight and arrival

With sufficient notice, you can receive assistance to the gate, onto the aircraft and into your seat. You may also be helped with hand luggage and transfers between flights.

Cabin crew can assist with tasks such as:

• moving around the cabin
• accessing meals and information
• using onboard equipment.

Cabin crew cannot assist with eating, toileting or medical care.

Mobility aids and equipment

If travelling with a wheelchair or mobility aid:

• check airline and CASA guidance before you travel
• take photos of your equipment before check-in
• report any damage immediately on arrival.

Assistance animals

Australian airlines allow accredited assistance animals, such as guide and hearing dogs, to travel in the cabin with their handler. These animals must be appropriately trained, certified and well-behaved and passengers should notify the airline in advance. While airlines must accommodate assistance animals under disability laws, carriage is still subject to aviation safety requirements and animals that don’t meet those requirements may be refused.

Previous Index Next