Travel Support for Cognitive & Invisible Disabilities


Our priority is to ensure your travel experience is accessible and enjoyable, every step of the way. Support includes:

  • Communicating with airline employees
  • Navigating the airport from check-in to arrival at your destination
  • Boarding your flight
  • Getting off your plane
  • Connecting to other flights

Request Assistance


You can request help any time on your day of travel – please let a Delta agent know you need assistance.

You can also request assistance before you get to the airport in two ways:

  • Message us or call the Delta Disability Line at 404-209-3434 (dial 711 for relay services)
  • Online: Complete the Accessibility Service Request form in My Trips. Select the "Meet & Assist at Airport" Request or use the “Other” option to tell us what type of assistance you need.

Understand Traveling with a Cognitive or Invisible Disability


Please let a Delta agent know when you need help at each stage of your trip (check-in, security, boarding, connections, arrival) – this helps us give you the best support.

Download the Fly Delta app for flight updates straight to your mobile device.

 

Upon arriving at the airport, you can ask a Delta agent for assistance. We can help with:

  • Navigating the airport from check-in to arrival at your destination
  • Handling your gate-checked or carry-on bags
  • Checking the status of connecting flights

 Important note about companions:

Some airports permit companions or personal care assistants without tickets to come with you past security to your gate. Unticketed individuals need to check in at the ticket counter first to get a gate pass that lets them through security without a ticket.

  • Please visit tsa.gov for information about state-issued REAL ID-compliant identification necessary to pass through the security checkpoint.
  • A valid physical form of ID is needed to issue a gate pass. Digital ID is not accepted.
  • We recommend allowing extra time before departure to complete the gate pass process.

Additional Security Assistance

If you or someone you're traveling with has a disability, medical condition or other circumstance and would like additional assistance, please visit TSA Cares for more information and to request help prior to your trip.

Multi-Sensory Rooms

Need a quiet space to recharge? Multi-sensory rooms are available at Atlanta (ATL), Detroit (DTW) and New York City (LGA only). These rooms offer a calming environment away from the busy terminal.

What's in these rooms:

  • Calming colors and sounds
  • Some also have an aircraft mock-up to help you get familiar with air travel before your flight
  • Quiet space to prepare for your flight 

How to get access: 

A Delta agent can provide access to multi-sensory rooms at the above-mentioned locations. If you're at a different airport, a Delta agent can let you know if a similar space is available.

 

To board early, please let a gate agent know you’d like extra time to board.

Our flight crew can help you with:

  • Putting away or getting your carry-on items (including mobility aids and other assistive devices stored in the cabin)
  • Telling you what food is on your meal tray, if applicable
  • Opening food packages

 Flight attendants do not help with:

  • Feeding or bathroom functions
  • Lifting or carrying customers
  • Providing non-emergency medical services such as giving medicine or injections

 Need this type of help? Please consider buying a ticket for a personal caregiver or travel companion if you need these services during your flight.

 

If you require assistance with deplaning or connecting to your next flight, visit the Accessibility Service Request section in My Trips on delta.com. You can message us or call 404-209-2424 for help.

Upon arrival, we can help you with:

  • Getting off the plane safely
  • Navigating to ground transportation, baggage claim or a connecting flight
  • Connecting with accessibility services at your destination

Frequently Asked Questions


 

You’ll need to purchase a ticket for a companion or personal care assistant to travel with you. For safety reasons, you will need to travel with a safety assistant in these situations:

  • You're unable to understand or respond to safety instructions
  • You have both hearing and vision disabilities that prevent communication with our crew during safety briefings
  • You have mobility limitations that would prevent you from evacuating independently in an emergency

If your companion or personal care assistant doesn't have a ticket, some airports may permit them to accompany you to the gate. They'll need to get a security gate pass at the ticket counter during check-in – a valid form of government ID is required , and we recommend allowing extra time before departure to complete the gate pass process.

 

Wings for All events offer airport “rehearsals” to help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families feel more confident about air travel. Participants check in, go through TSA screening, wait at the gate and board an aircraft without taking off.

To find an upcoming event:

Events are free and open to families, caregivers and aviation professionals.