Assistive Device - Stowage, Damage, and Delay
Welcome to the Assistive Device Stowage, Damage, and Delay Interactive Guide.
Your guide to relevant, important information to help ensure customers with disabilities have a pleasant travel experience.
Summary
Qualified individuals with a disability are permitted to bring their assistive devices onboard the aircraft.
An assistive device does not count towards the airline’s baggage limit; however, if the bag also contains personal items, the airline can count the bag toward a baggage limit and it may be subject to a baggage fee.
When an assistive device cannot be stowed in the passenger cabin as a carry-on baggage, it can be stowed as cargo at no extra cost.
Airlines must check and return an assistive device in the same condition as it was received; the device must be returned to the passenger in a timely manner as close as possible to the door of the aircraft, unless the passenger asks to pick it up in baggage claim.
Damaged/Inadequately Secured Batteries
A damaged or leaking battery should not be transported.
You must remove and package separately any battery that is inadequately secured to a wheelchair.
Non-spillable Batteries
You must allow non-spillable batteries labeled as ‘non-spillable’ by a manufacturer to remain installed on a device when stowed onboard the aircraft; and you must not require separate packaging.
Spillable Batteries
If a battery-powered wheelchair with a spillable battery can be loaded, stored, secured, and unloaded in an upright position, you must not require the battery to be removed and separately packaged.
You must remove a spillable battery that is contained in a wheelchair that cannot be loaded, stowed, secured, and unloaded in an upright position.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Machines (CPAP) machines are permitted on flights. However, CPAPs must have a manufacturer’s label that indicates the device meets FAA requirements. In addition, in order to use a CPAP onboard the aircraft your airline may require a passenger to:
- Provide a minimum of 48-hours advance notification to use a CPAP machine onboard
- Provide a medical certificate for the use of a CPAP machine onboard, if the airline has reasonable doubt that the passenger can complete the flight safely without requiring extraordinary medical assistance during the flight.
- Bring a supply of fully charged batteries to power the device for no less than 150% of the duration of the flight
- Check-in one hour before the regular check-in time for the flight
Please note: All battery-powered devices must contain non-spillable batteries to be brought onboard. The battery must be clearly marked ‘Non-spillable’ or completely enclosed in a case.
Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) are permitted on flights.
Covered U.S. and Foreign air carriers must permit the following POC models whether or not they are labeled:
- AirSep Focus;
- AirSep FreeStyle;
- AirSep FreeStyle 5;
- AirSep LifeStyle;
- Delphi RS-00400;
- DeVilbiss Healthcare iGo;
- Inogen One;
- Inogen One G2;
- Inogen One G3;
- Inova Labs LifeChoice;
- Inova Labs LifeChoice Activox;
- International Biophysics LifeChoice;
- Invacare Solo2;
- Invacare XPO2;
- Oxlife Independence Oxygen Concentrator;
- Oxus RS-00400;
- Precision Medical EasyPulse;
- Respironics EverGo;
- Respironics SimplyGo;
- SeQual Eclipse;
- SeQual eQuinox Oxygen System (model 4000);
- SeQual Oxywell Oxygen System (model 4000);
- SeQual SAROS; and
- VBox Trooper Oxygen Concentrator.
Any other POC must have a manufacturer’s label that indicates the device meets FAA requirements. In addition, in order to use a POC onboard the aircraft your airline may require a passenger to:
- Provide a minimum of 48-hours advance notification to use a POC machine onboard
- Provide a medical certificate for the use of a POC machine onboard
- Bring a supply of fully charged batteries to power the device for no less than 150% of the duration of the flight
- Check-in one hour before the regular check-in time for the flight
Please note: All battery-powered devices must contain non-spillable batteries to be brought onboard. The battery must be clearly marked ‘Non-spillable’ or completely enclosed in a case.
Individuals with a collapsible or break-down wheelchair may stow their device in overhead compartments, under seats, or in the designated wheelchair stowage area if the device fits and is in accordance with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety regulations.
Airlines may not require advance notice that a person with a manual wheelchair is traveling.
Aircraft with 100 or more seats must have priority space for storing a passenger’s folding wheelchair in the cabin. This space is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Airlines are allowed to choose between stowing wheelchairs in a closet or other priority space in the cabin compartment and strapping them to a row of seats. If the airline chooses to use the seat-strapping method to stow a wheelchair, it must transport two wheelchairs in the cabin if requested unless the second wheelchair would displace other passengers.
Collapsible wheelchairs and other assistive devices have priority for in-cabin storage space (including in closets) over other passengers’ items brought onboard at the same airport, if the passenger with a disability chooses to pre-board.
Airlines must accept battery-powered wheelchairs, including the batteries. All battery-powered wheelchairs must contain non-spillable batteries to be brought onboard. The battery must be clearly marked ‘Non-spillable’ or completely enclosed in a case.
Airlines may require 48 hours advance notice if a passenger plans to transport an electric wheelchair on aircraft with fewer than 60 seats. Wheelchairs and other assistive devices have priority over other items for stowage in the baggage compartment.