A Guide To Requesting American Airlines Wheelchair Assistance 

Last Updated on Feb 1st, 2024 by Renu Dahiya, 1 comments

You’re embarking on a journey with American Airlines, filled with excitement and anticipation. But you have a unique need – wheelchair assistance. No need to worry! American Airlines understands your requirements and is dedicated to providing a seamless and comfortable travel experience for passengers with disabilities. Here, in this interactive guide, we will take you on a journey through the steps of requesting American Airlines wheelchair assistance, ensuring your trip is as smooth as can be. So, let’s get started!

How To Get Wheelchair Assistance With American Airlines?

American Airlines is fully dedicated to providing support to individuals with disabilities or severe injuries, ensuring their travel experience is as comfortable as possible. It is worth noting that wheelchair assistance is not limited to individuals with disabilities alone; pregnant passengers or anyone in need of mobility support can also avail themselves of American Airlines wheelchair assistance. 

Here are some specifications and guidelines one needs to know who is looking to get a wheelchair for traveling. 

• Depending on the type of assistance required, different types of wheelchairs may be necessary. Passengers can specify their requirements when requesting special assistance.
• AA has a transparent policy regarding disability and special assistance. One aspect of this policy is the requirement to inform the airline during the booking process whether passengers will be bringing their own wheelchairs or if they would like one provided by the airline.
• To ensure compliance with their policy, the airline requires documentation validating the need for a wheelchair. These documents should not be more than one year old from the date of the flight. Passengers must present the documents at least 48 hours prior to the flight. Approval of the documents must be obtained one hour before the scheduled check-in time.
• In each cabin, American Airlines has a designated space for storing one wheelchair. However, this storage space operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, booking flights in advance is highly recommended to secure availability.
• It is important to note that American Airlines does not charge any fees for the use of wheelchairs. This service is provided to passengers free of charge as part of the airline’s commitment to accessibility and inclusivity.

Bringing A Wheelchair As A Carry-On With American Airlines

If the wheelchair or mobility device is collapsible and meets the size and weight restrictions specified by the airline, passengers can stow it in the overhead compartment or underneath the seat during the flight. This allows passengers to have immediate access to their personal mobility aid throughout the journey. 

However, if the wheelchair or mobility device is non-collapsible, it will need to be checked in at the luggage counter, and a collapsible wheelchair will be provided for use during the flight. Also, please know that passengers using battery-powered wheelchairs are required to have them checked at least one hour before the check-in time. 

If your wheelchair exceeds the dimensions of 25 inches in height and 40 inches in width (or 25 inches by 38 inches for smaller storage areas), it is advisable to reach out to the airline for further assistance.

Requesting A Wheelchair From American Airlines While Booking A Flight

• Visit the official website of American Airlines. 
• Start the procedure of booking your flight tickets (for instance, Chicago to Delhi flights).
• While booking your flight tickets, you will find an option “Add Special Assistance’, click on it. 
• Select ‘Wheelchair Assistance’ from the given options and proceed. 
• After this, you can complete your flight booking process with any additional information that needs to be provided and proceed to the payment page to confirm your booking. 

Note – On the day of your flight, approach one of the knowledgeable ground support representatives and inform them that you have requested wheelchair assistance. 

Requesting A Wheelchair From American Airlines After Booking Your Flight

• Open your web browser and visit the American Airlines website.
• Go to the bottom section of the homepage and click on the ‘Contact American’ under the Help category.
• On the following page, click on the option ‘Special Assistance’.
• Then, scroll to the bottom of the page until you locate ‘Submit a disability assistance request’ and click on the same.
• Upon accessing the form, select the appropriate options by choosing ‘Disability Assistance’ as the topic and ‘Request disability assistance’ as the subject.
• Click the ‘Next’ button.
• Fill in your contact details, mark the checkbox for wheelchair assistance under the type of assistance needed, provide your flight information, and compose a succinct message. Aim to keep your message concise and to the point.
• After carefully reviewing the form, give it one final glance before clicking the ‘Submit’ button to dispatch your request.

Another avenue to request a wheelchair is by reaching out to American Airlines’ customer service, specifically their specialized departments for special assistance and disability assistance. Connect with their dedicated team to ensure your wheelchair request is handled with utmost care and attention.

American Airlines Wheelchair Assistance Phone Number

The customer support team of American Airlines is committed to creating a positive and inclusive travel experience for every customer.  If you have any questions or want to make special travel arrangements, you can reach out to the airline’s team directly at 800-433-7300. Here is some additional contact information for more help – 

• To make accessibility arrangements, call at – 800-237-7976
• For hearing or speech-impaired assistance – 800-735-2988
• Dial 711 to be connected through the National Relay Service

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does American Airlines have wheelchair assistance?

A: Yes, Wheelchair assistance is available to help passengers with long distances at the airport. 

Q: Are there any charges for wifi services?

A: Yes, American Airlines’ in-flight wifi services are paid for both domestic and international flights.

Q: Do I have to pay to take a wheelchair on American Airlines flights?

A: No, there is no American Airlines wheelchair assistance cost. The service is entirely free of cost. If your wheelchair is not compatible with the particular plane you’re getting on; the airline will likely give you a wheelchair for free to use. However, you can tip the guy who is assisting you and taking you to different places eventually. 

Q: Are there any student discounts on American Airlines flights?

A: Yes, American Airlines provides attractive student discounts on its flight tickets. Hence, if you are eligible, you can avail of the offer.

That’s almost everything you need to know about American Airlines wheelchair assistance. Found this blog interesting? Discover more helpful blogs and travel tips on our portal MyTicketsToIndia to make your travel experiences even more comfortable and enjoyable. 

With more than 14 years of experience in the travel industry, we are a well-established air-ticketing agency that deals in offering unbeatable offers on cheap USA to India flights (and back) without compromising on quality. Our dedicated 24/7 customer support team is always ready to assist you, ensuring a seamless booking experience from start to finish. So, the next time you plan to travel to India, just talk to our experts. They will help you reserve the cheapest air tickets. 

About Renu Dahiya | View Posts

Renu Dahiya is a passionate writer who worships her profession. Her love for writing has encouraged her to pursue her career as a writer. Her friends call her a “travel worm” and always come to her to know some interesting traveling tips and destinations. Renu is a repository of knowledge about traveling who knows which place should be visited in which season. Oh yes, she is insanely in love with dancing too. Writer, traveler and dancer, a perfect combination! Without a doubt, she is a complete package.