Does anyone have experience with international travel with someone needing wheelchair assistance?

[Guest]

Wondering what the process is when having to wait in the line to go through customs coming back into the US. Does the attendant stand in the line with you? Are you left to manage it yourself? Or is there a different line for those in wheelchairs?

Trying to prepare for travel with my mother-in-law.

[Darlean]

If you are getting assistance with an airport wheelchair there is usually an employee that will take you from the plane through immigration to baggage claim and even out to transportation. I have used this service many times in a number of airports domestic and international.

Make sure you make the request through the airline in advance and check that it is in their system when you check in for your flights at the airport.

[Marian]

Book the wheelchair through your airline whether or not it’s international or within the US. They will meet you at the plane as you get off the plane and take you through a much shorter line customs and immigration and get your luggage.

Be sure to tip as they do work real hard. If you are leaving from an international airport some places have a central desk that you go to and get the wheelchair there.

We found that in a number of European airports and it was a really good system but still reserve it through your airline.

[Kristin]

Book wheelchair assistance on your ticket. Upon checkin and arrival they will have someone available to assist.

Just remind them! Depending on how busy it is it may be a bit of a wait or they may provide an electronic car to move multiple people.

They will push you through all the lines or make it clear you/the person cannot walk so they have to push you through customs/immigrations.

I have used the wheelchair assistance multiple times due to bilateral knee surgeries and that includes about 10 or so international returns.

[Stacey]

There is no wheelchair assistance coming back into the USA, you need to manage it yourself and you are in the same line with everyone else, you don’t skip the line.

I would suggest applying for Global Entry if you are looking to get through customs quickly otherwise you will need to manage it yourself. I bring my rollator with me but I have global entry so I zip right through.

[Sorracha]

When you book your flight either online or offline, there’s small section for a special request such as food or service.

Just tick on wheelchair. Once you arrive airport to check in you can inform the customer service again that you have requested wheelchair service.

Every airline has this service. I am working at United Airlines. If you need any other information, feel free to ask me.

[Charmain]

Four years ago, in Barcelona, my partner began not feeling well while we were in the lounge. We spoke with the desk assistant and they got us a wheelchair right away, which used immediately in the lounge and onto the gate to check in.

[Susan]

The wheelchair service in Houston (IAH) is awful. Very slow and the whole plane will have emptied before you get going. Other places it’s very good.

[Lisa]

That's not true Stacey.

You have to book wheelchair assistance and the attendant Mets you either at the door of the plane (last.ones to deplane) or at gate depending on the mobility you indicated when booking.

Often there is a electric vehicle to get you to customs and baggage pickup.

The attendant brings you to a special line or bumps you to the front of the line.

You must request special assistance via your booked airlines website using your reservation number to log in.