British Airways Wheelchair Policy and Special Assistance Guide

Flying With Your Wheelchair on British Airways

British Airways recommends that you give a minimum of 48 hours notice when travelling with a wheelchair, in order to make your experience as smooth and stress-free as possible. The best step to take is to add your necessary assistance to your booking when you make the reservation. British Airways will require the following information as part of your reservation:

- Wheelchair type
- Dimensions
- Weight
- Battery type and number installed (if applicable)
- Instructions to prevent accidental activation or operation (if applicable) [AMZ asins='B07YNFD9LJ,B01L28ANI2,B074MW1MTW,B00RKJUPS6']

Be prepared to arrive three hours before departure for long-haul or international flights, and two hours before departure for short-haul journeys. British Airways is able to transport one manual, collapsible wheelchair in the cabin, provided there is space, which is available on a first come-first serve basis. 

It's up to you to decide when to give your wheelchair to the care of British Airways, be that at check in or at the gate. Either way you decide, please ensure your wheelchair has a tag with your name and contact information before you check it in.

If you are making a connection and would like to use your own wheelchair at the connecting airport, please let British Airways know a minimum of 48 hours before your flight and they will ensure your wheelchair is available to you when you deplane. 

Wheelchair Size Limits on British Airways

British Airways has three categories for size limis for wheelchairs – UK and European flights (except to and from London City); London City; and the Rest of the World.

For BA flights to and from the UK and Europe (Except London City), max wheelchair dimensions are as follows: 

140cm (55.1”) long by 85cm (33.5”) wide by 106cm (41.7”) tall.

For BA flights to and from London City max wheelchair dimensions are:

74cm (29.6”) long by 94cm (37.6”) wide by 73cm (29.2”) tall

For BA flights to and from the rest of the world, wheelchair dimensions are as follows:

140cm (55.1”) long by 85cm (33.5”) wide by 152cm (59.8”) tall.

For all three categories, if your wheelchair exceeds the height restriction due to a removable headrest, the device can still be accepted provided the headrest is removed and taken on board with you as cabin baggage. 

Battery Operated Mobility Aids on British Airways

British Airways accepts lithium-ion, dry-cell, non-spillable wet cell, and spillable batteries for transport. Each battery type has its own handling requirements, and you will be required to show that the battery is disconnected or isolated, and protected from accidental activation or short circuit. 

Lithium Ion Battery Regulations

If battery remains attached to wheelchair, there is no maximum watt-hour limit. The battery must be disconnected or isolated and cannot be accidentally activated.

If battery detaches from wheelchair, it must not exceed 300Wh (for a single battery) or 160Wh each (for two batteries). The lithium-ion battery(ies) must also:

- Be removed according to manufacturer instructions
- Be prevented from short circuit (covering, taping, or otherwise isolating exposed terminals)
- Be placed into a protective pouch(es) and taken onboard as cabin baggage

One spare battery up to 300Wh is permitted, or two spare batteries each up to 160Wh are permitted, provided they follow the above regulations

Dry Cell Battery Regulations

If the dry-cell battery remains attached to the wheelchair, it must be disconnected or isolated and prevented from accidental activation

If the dry-cell battery can be removed from the wheelchair, it must:

- Be protected from short circuit or accidental activation by isolating, covering, or taping over the exposed terminals
- Be stored in strong, rigid packaging in the cargo hold

One spare dry cell battery may be taken as checked baggage, provided it adheres to the above requirements

Non-Spillable Wet Cell Regulations

If the non-spillable wet cell battery remains attached to the wheelchair, it must be disconnected or isolated 

If the non-spillable wet cell battery is removable, it must be removed and:

- Be protected from short circuit
- Be transported in strong, rigid packaging in the cargo hold

One spare non-spillable wet cell battery may be taken as checked baggage, provided it adheres to the above requirements

Spillable Battery Regulations

If the spillable battery cannot be removed from the wheelchair, and the device can be stowed in an upright position, the battery can remain in the device. It must be deactivated and isolated to prevent accidental activation or short circuit. 

If the spillable battery is not securely attached, or the device cannot be transported in an upright position, it must:

- Be removed from the wheelchair
- Be protected from short circuit or accidental activation by covering, taping, or otherwise isolating the exposed terminals
- Be packaged in strong, rigid, leakproof, battery-fluid-proof packaging. It must also be surrounded by enough absorbent material to contain the entirety of the liquid contents of the battery.

The packaging must be marked as corrosive (CLASS 8) , with “THIS WAY UP” labels, and clearly state “BATTERY WET WITH WHEELCHAIR”.

Spare spillable batteries will not be permitted

Requesting Wheelchair Assistance at the Airport when Flying with British Airways

During or after the booking process, you can access your information through “Manage My Booking” and let British Airways know what kind of assistance you need. British Airways offers three levels of mobility service:

Service 1

You require assistance moving around the airport and to and from the aircraft, for all or part of your journey. British Airways will provide this assistance either by airport wheelchair or electric buggy.

Service 2

You require assistance moving around the airport and to and from the aircraft, which British Airways will provide either by airport wheelchair or electric buggy. You also require assistance going up or down stairs to the aircraft door (if aircraft is not directly attached to terminal building by jetbridge).

Service 3 

You require a full level of service to and from the aircraft, as well as the use of an aisle chair and transfer to your seat during boarding and deplaning. You also require assistance with moving to and from your seat during flight. Please note that if you cannot move yourself between the aisle chair and your seat, British Airways requires you to travel with a safety assistant. 

Contact Information for British Airways Wheelchair Assistance

You can contact British Airways by calling 0800-408-1100 Monday-Saturday, 8:00am-6:00pm UK time. 

If you have a hearing impairment, please call 0345-700-7706 Monday-Saturday, 6:00am-5:00pm UK time. 

For those requiring sign language, you can access the BSL Video Relay Service with SignLive, using the  SignLive app, Monday-Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm UK time. 

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