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Alaska Airlines Wheelchair Policy and Special Assistance Guide
Wheelchairs in the Cabin on Alaska Airlines
You can request to have your folding, collapsible, or breakdown wheelchair stowed onboard the aircraft at time of pre-boarding on Alaska Airlines flights 1-999. The number of personal wheelchairs is limited to one personal wheelchair in cabin per flight and this space is provided on a first-come, first-serve basis.
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The wheelchair must meet the size and weight restrictions for the approved storage space on the aircraft.
Wheelchairs stowed onboard have priority over other carry-on items.
If your wheelchair will not fit safely in the approved stowage closet, we will be glad to transport it in the cargo compartment at no additional charge.
Assistance Boarding the Aircraft
If you need assistance getting onto the aircraft, Alaska Airlines offers the following options:
- Lift/Ramp - a boarding and deplaning method for those who are unable to climb or walk down stairs.
- Aisle chair/Slide board - specially designed wheelchairs/slings available for non-ambulatory travelers to get in and out of their seats.
If you need these services we ask that you arrive at the gate for boarding 45 minutes prior to your departure to allow us time to safely board you and your baggage.
Assitance During Flight
All Alaska Airlines aircraft are equipped with onboard wheelchairs for customers who need assistance to and from the lavatory. Additionally, Alaska Airlines are happy to offer the following services:
- Individual safety briefing to any traveler whose disability prevents him or her from receiving information presented in the general briefing
- Assistance with loading and retrieving carry-on items
- Assistance with opening packages
- Assistance with identifying food
Inflight crews are not able to:
- Provide medical services or administer medication
- Assist with eating
- Assist within the lavatory
- Lift or carry customers
Battery-Powered Mobility Aids on Alaska Airlines
Mobility aids and assistive devices that are powered by lithium or lithium ion batteries must be carried in protective packaging and with precautions taken against accidental activation.
Bringing Your Own Wheelchair with Alaska Airlines
A personal wheelchair can be checked at the ticket counter or the gate free of charge. Passengers can use Alaska Airlines's wheelchair equipment after checking a personal wheelchair; a brief waiting period may be necessary for the escort to arrive with the proper equipment.
Detachable items such as seat cushions and footrests can be carried onboard or checked with the wheelchair and stowed in the cargo compartment.
Alternately, arrangements can be made to have your personal wheelchair checked at the departure gate. The wheelchair will be returned at the destination gate upon arrival or at a connecting airport.
If you prefer to use your personal wheelchair at the connecting airport, please advise your customer service agent at the ticket counter or boarding gate in advance. Time between connecting flights may be insufficient to provide this service if disassembly and re-assembly of a personal wheelchair is required. If time is a factor, we recommend taking advantage of our wheelchair service for transport between connecting flights.
If your device uses a lithium ion battery, the battery will be removed and packaged in a protective covering and stowed in the cabin during travel. The battery cannot exceed 25 grams (300 watt hours). If you are transporting electric/battery-powered wheelchairs, carts, or scooters we ask that you be checked in two hours prior to departure and be available to board at least 45 minutes before posted departure for all flights.
If you are transporting any other type of non-electric/non-battery-powered wheelchairs, carts, or scooters, you must be checked in and you must be available to board at least 30 minutes before posted departure for all flights.
The maximum dimensions for a wheelchair on Alaska Airlines are 33 inches high by 34 inches wide. This applies to the following aircraft:
- Boeing 737 series
- Bombardier Q400
- Embraer E175
- Airbus A319, A320, and A321
The maximum weight for a wheelchair on Alaska Airlines is:
- Boeing 737 - 500 pounds
- Bombardier Q400 - 500 pounds
- Embraer E175 - 400 pounds
- Airbus A319, A320, and A321 - 500 pounds
Advance Notice with Wheelchairs with Alaska Airlines
In some cases you may be required to provide Advance Notice when travelling with battery-powered wheelchairs on Air Canada. You will need to notify the airline at least 48 hours before your flight, and arrive at the airport 60 minutes ahead of the recocmmended check-in time.
Requesting Assistance at the Airport
Alaska Airlines offers assistance to anyone using a wheelchair or other mobility devices. Wheelchairs and wheelchair escorts are available at every airport for customer use. Some airports have electric carts available for customer use.
If you need wheelchair assistance, we ask that you arrive at the airport at least 2 hours prior to scheduled departure and then go directly to one of our customer service representatives. There may be a brief waiting period before your wheelchair escort arrives. Inform your customer service agent at the airport of all services required, including transfer assistance and/or deplaning at a connecting/arrival location. We will need to arrange for wheelchair assistance at each location.
Please note that while customer service agents and/or wheelchair escorts can assist you to the baggage claim, in-terminal rental car counter, or curbside, they cannot wait with you or provide help with ground transportation.
We transport all types of personal wheelchairs including, folding, collapsible, non-folding manual wheelchairs, electric/battery-powered wheelchairs, and electric-powered carts or scooters.
Alaska Airlines Medical Assitance Desk Contact Info
Make reservations as early as possible and request services while booking online, or call Alaska Airlines's dedicated accessible services line at 1-800-503-0101 (dial 711 for relay services).
Let us know about any special requirements - at check-in, in the boarding area, and on the aircraft.
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