How Do I Make a Special Request for My United Airlines Flight?

Air travel can be quite demanding physically and emotionally, especially if you require special assistance to move in and out of the aircraft or from one point to another within the airport. You may need help due to a surgical procedure or because of a medical condition that makes walking impossible.

Fortunately, the Air Carrier Access Act of 1986 requires all US-based airlines to provide wheelchair assistance to and from the terminal gates. This provision also applies to foreign airline companies.

Here's how you can request wheelchair access for your United Airlines flight.

How do I request wheelchair access for my United Airlines flight?

• You can request wheelchair assistance when booking your flight on united.com.

However, this option is not available for passengers with economy class tickets. Therefore, economy class passengers can follow the guidelines below to receive wheelchair assistance:

• They can contact United Airlines' 24-hour accessibility desk.
• After the call has gone through, select "Reservations."
• Their request will be integrated into the flight reservation details as a special service request.
• Once they arrive at the airport, they should find a United Airlines representative and inform them that they require wheelchair assistance to move to the departure gate.

United Airlines provides a wheelchair attendant to help you navigate within the airport. Also, the attendant allows passengers to access the lavatory but no further assistance once they're inside the plane.

The airline assigns you an independent wheelchair where the attendant's services are not needed, but you'll have to leave your driver's license behind until you return the wheelchair. If you have your wheelchair, below are guidelines on how you can use it on your United Airlines flight.

How to use your wheelchair when traveling with United Airlines

When flying with United Airlines, you can use your wheelchair or any other assistive devices at no cost.

They accept all forms of wheelchairs and scooters, including manual and powered, folding and non-folding, and collapsible ones.

Collapsible wheelchairs are kept inside the aircraft's cabin space, but other models will have to be held in the cargo area.

Passengers must check their baggage and wheelchair at the counter or traveling gate before they can receive a United Airlines wheelchair to help them during their flight.

To make the checking process faster and more secure, fill in the wheelchair information card online by following the steps outlined below:

• Visit united.com and select "Travel Information."
• Go to "Special Travel Needs" and click on "Customers with disabilities."
• Click on a link that reads "Customer Wheelchair Information."
• Fill in your name.
• Provide your chair's serial number.
• Choose the type of chair is it "Manual" or "Powered."
• Select whether it uses "Spillable," "Non-spillable," or "Lithium" batteries.
• Indicate the weight of your chair.
• Select "Yes" or "No" to show whether it's key-operated.
• If "Yes," describe where the ignition is located.
• Describe how the brakes are locked or released.
• Describe any parts that can be folded or collapsed.
• Mention any removable parts.
• If you are carrying any of these parts to the cabin, indicate that too.
• Provide information on whether any tools are required.
• Add any additional instructions.
• Print, laminate, and paste this card in your wheelchair before you get checked.

The wheelchair information card allows you to claim damages faster when your wheelchair is damaged while in the cargo space. Remember to inform United Airlines of these plans at least 24 hours before your scheduled flight, if you plan on using your wheelchair.

Alternatively

Passengers having trouble when requesting wheelchair access for their United Airlines flight can reach out to United's Conflict Resolution Officers in the airport or call United Airlines 24-hour accessibility desk for further assistance.