When it comes to traveling with mobility devices, ensuring a smooth and comfortable journey requires planning and understanding the policies of the airline you’re flying with. Each major U.S. airline offers various types of support for passengers with mobility challenges, from pre-boarding assistance to the handling of electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters. While the details may differ, all airlines share one thing in common: the need for advance notice and communication. To make your travel experience as seamless as possible, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the requirements for bringing a mobility device, including battery-operated scooters, and to reach out to the airline’s Special Assistance department well in advance. In this guide, we’ll break down the specific policies of leading U.S. airlines, helping you navigate the details so you can focus on enjoying your trip.

American Airlines takes wonderful care of their patrons with mobility challenges. They offer pre-boarding and deplaning assistance as well as help navigating the airport to ensuring your travel is as comfortable as it can be. With that being said, when it comes brining your battery operated mobility scooter you must contact American Airlines' Special Assistance department. When one the phone with them you will confirm the if your battery type is approved for travel. We encourage you to reach out to them well in advance of your flight date.

These tips come directly from the American Airlines website:

• Clearly label your mobility scooter with your name, address and phone number just like you would your luggage.
• Take note of the make, model, and serial number. Document the normal wear and tear before travel as well.
• Include any safe-handling and disassembly steps and attach to your mobility scooter.
• Arrive at your departure gate 1 hour before your departure.
• Speak with the gate agent to pick up a gate delivery tag. Proceed to attach it to your mobility scooter before boarding.
• Upon arrival at your destination visually inspect your mobility scooter equipment to confirm it is in working condition before leaving the airport.
• Contact a gate agent or the airlines baggage service office if you find that your mobility scooter was damaged.

Click here for the American Airlines Mobility and medical devices page for more information.

To submit your special assistance request with American Airlines online click here.

To Contact American Airlines directly: Contact American Airlines

Delta Air allows its patrons to bring all types of mobility devices along on on their trip. This includes mobility scooters, manual wheelchairs, and power wheelchairs. Patrons are allowed to bring along  one additional FAA battery. Like every airline, Delta does require an advanced notice that you will be bringing any sort of electric wheelchair or mobility scooter with you. You should provide Delta a minimum 48 hours in advance, but letting them know even further in advance doesn't hurt.

Delta also requests that you check in at the counter a minimum one hour ahead of departure time if you plan to check any battery-powered equipment like a mobility scooter. This gives both the airline and yourself enough time to confirm your mobility device meets all federal dangerous goods requirements.

Click here for more information from their travel information page.

To request special assistance online: Submit here.

Delta's Phone Number: 404-209-3434

United Airlines requires 48 hours advance notice if you plan to bring a powered mobility device onto one of their flights. United also requires you to check a minimum of an hour early of  your scheduled departure time. This ensures that they  will have plenty of time to review your mobility scooter or power wheelchair to confirm that it is indeed cleared to fly. United Airlines accepts all types of electric wheelchairs and  mobility scooters. This includes folding, non-folding, manual, and electric. 

While airlines are not allowed to charge extra for your mobility device, you may see fees like oversized and/or overweight baggage charges if you check a device that is used for recreational purposes only.

United's travel information page can be found here.

United Airline's phone number: 1-800-228-2744

Southwest Airlines airplanes usually have a  in-cabin wheelchair stowage equipped to handle one standard-size collapsible wheelchair. You must remember that this space is filled on a first-come, first served basis.  If this stowage space is full your device cannot fit then it will be stowed safely with the other luggage. Remember, if you want to bring any extra batteries with you on your trip, you must check your spares as checked baggage.

Southwest's travel information can be found here.

To request special assistance online: Submit here.

Southwest's Phone Number: 1-800-435-9792

Like basically every other airline, Alaska Airlines requests that you alert them ahead of time about you bringing your electric wheelchair or mobility scooter along on your trip. If you haven’t yet booked your flight, remember that you can request extra wheelchair assistance during the booking process. If you forget to do this during booking you can always give them a call and their customer service will help you out.

When you choose to fly Alaska Airlines, you have the option to take advantage of their self-service wheelchair program. This means whoever is with you (they do not have to be traveling with you) can borrow a wheelchair to take you from the ticket counter to your boarding gate. This means you won't have to rely on an airport wheelchair escort.

This service is only available at these airports:

• Albuquerque (ABQ)
• Anchorage (ANC)
• Boston (BOS)
• Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
• Kahului/Maui (OGG)
• Kona (KOA)
• Lihue (LIH)
• Las Vegas (LAS)
• Orlando (MCO)
• San Jose, CA (SJC)
• Seattle (SEA)
• Washington – Dulles (IAD)

Alaska Airline's travel information can be found here.

Alaska Airline's Phone Number: 1-800-503-0101

JetBlue Airways is known to go above and beyond with their mobility assistance services. Assistance is provided from the ticket counter to the plane. JetBlue will also assist you with your connecting flight, at baggage claim, and with curbside pickup. Like all other bigger airlines, JetBlue requires a minimum 48 hours notice you plan to take advance of their wheelchair assistance.

With a lot of aircraft having just one storage space in the passenger cabin it’s almost always a first come, first serve situation when it comes to stowing a mobility device. For all other additional mobility scooters or electric wheelchairs, they will then be stored in the luggage hold.

When booking your JetBlue flight you have the option to speed up the process by selecting the “wheelchair (special) service request” option while purchasing your flight tickets.

JetBlue Airways travel information page.

JetBlue Airways Phone Number: 1-800-JETBLUE (538-2583)

If at all possible Spirit Airlines will load and stow your mobility scooter or electric wheelchair in an upright position during the trip. However, this all depends on the overall  size of your power wheelchair or mobility scooter.

If you’re plan to travel with a battery-powered electric wheelchair or other mobility device then you should plan on arriving a minimum of two hours prior to your scheduled departure time. This ensures the proper handling of your mobility device will take place especially if you’re traveling during a busy period or holiday season.

Spirit Airlines wants you to fill out their Mobility Aid Information form to provide your local airport representatives with the proper assembly/disassembly instructions if needed. Please provide any other helpful information about your device and including its battery size and type. This link is posted below.

Spirit Airlines travel information page.

Spirit Airlines special assistance department.

Spirit Airlines' phone number: 855-728-3555

Frontier Airlines will allow almost all electric wheelchairs and mobility devices as checked baggage to be stowed in the cargo compartment of the aircraft. These items are not counted as part of a passenger's baggage allowance and baggage charges do not apply. 

They also have a designated priority space in the passenger cabin of their Airbus planes for storage of one wheelchair or mobility device. Just like every other airline with this space, it is delegated on a first come, first serve basis only. Federal regulations also require batteries to be disconnected from their device unless your chair has an effective design to prevent accidental activation.

Frontier Airlines travel information page.

For special assistance.

Frontier Airlines Phone Number: 801-401-9004

Here’s a summary of the mobility assistance policies for several major U.S. airlines:

1. American Airlines: Offers pre-boarding and deplaning assistance, but requires you to contact their Special Assistance department for approval of battery-operated mobility scooters. You must label your scooter and arrive at the gate at least an hour early for assistance. Report any damage to the scooter upon arrival.

2. Delta Airlines: Allows all types of mobility devices, including electric wheelchairs and scooters, with a minimum 48-hour advance notice. You must check in an hour before departure to confirm compliance with safety requirements.

3. United Airlines: Requires 48-hour notice for electric mobility devices. Devices must be checked an hour before departure. Oversized/overweight charges may apply if the device is recreational.

4. Southwest Airlines: Provides in-cabin stowage for one standard wheelchair. If the space is full, the device is stored with luggage. Extra batteries must be checked as baggage.

5. Alaska Airlines: Requires advance notice for electric devices. They offer a self-service wheelchair program at certain airports for traveling companions to assist you.

6. JetBlue Airways: Requires 48 hours’ notice for wheelchair assistance. Due to limited cabin space, devices may be stored in the luggage hold if necessary. You can request wheelchair service when booking tickets.

7. Spirit Airlines: Stows mobility devices upright when possible. Arrive two hours early for check-in. Complete a Mobility Aid Information form for proper handling.

8. Frontier Airlines: Allows mobility devices as checked baggage, with no extra charge. There is limited in-cabin storage available on a first-come, first-served basis. Batteries must be disconnected unless the design prevents accidental activation.

Each airline requires advance notice (48-72 hours) for electric mobility devices, and passengers should check the specific airline’s policies for further details or special requests.