Wheelchair Information

Let us assist you with your wheelchair needs throughout your travels. You may choose to travel with your own personal wheelchair or scooter  or utilize one of the wheelchair services we offer.

Please note that stairways are sometimes used for boarding and deplaning instead of loading bridges. If you are unable to ascend or descend steps, let us know and we will provide an alternative boarding method.

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Delta-Provided Wheelchair Services

Prior to your trip, you can request any Delta-provided wheelchair service within My Trips

AIRPORT WHEELCHAIRS/WHEELCHAIR ASSISTANCE

From the moment you arrive, you can utilize an airport wheelchair. We offer wheelchair assistants who will guide you through the terminal, security and to your gate. Once at the gate, our wheelchair assistants will bring you near one of our gate agents for assistance in boarding. You can request this wheelchair service in My Trips after you have booked your flight, or by calling us  at 404-209-3434, opens in a new window (dial 711 for relay services). When you arrive at the airport, notify a Delta representative that you require wheelchair service to your departure gate.

AISLE CHAIRS

Specially designed aisle wheelchairs are used to assist you in getting to and from your seat when boarding and deplaning our aircraft by our wheelchair attendants. Please know that aisle wheelchairs are not self-operable. If you need this service, please request it online in My Trips after you have booked your flight, or by calling us at 404-209-3434, opens in a new window so we can have the aisle chair available at your departure gate.

ONBOARD WHEELCHAIRS

Most of our aircraft have an onboard wheelchair specially designed to fit within the aisle of the aircraft and for use to and from the lavatory. These onboard wheelchairs can only be used with flight attendant assistance and may not fit within the onboard lavatory. Flight attendants are trained in the operation of this wheelchair and will assist you with its use. They are not, however, required to lift or carry you. Aircraft with less than 50 seats are not equipped with an onboard wheelchair. To check on aisle chair availability, please call us at 404-209-3434.

Delta Connection Carrier aircraft may not be equipped with this service. Please contact us to ensure you receive the service you need.

Personal Wheelchair Service

We transport all types of personal wheelchairs, including manual and battery-powered wheelchairs, carts, scooters, any accompanying prosthetic devices and other assistive devices used to manage a disability.

For easy travel with a wheelchair or scooter, we recommend doing the following:

  1. Fill out the Mobility Device Handling Form to accompany your wheelchair or scooter
  2. Print form and place it in a plastic sleeve or laminate it for repeated use
  3. Place sealed form on the seat of the wheelchair or scooter or attach it to the back of the chair when traveling
  4. Check your wheelchair or scooter at the gate or ticket counter. Customer’s choosing to check their wheelchair or scooter at the ticket counter may elect to travel within the airport  using Delta provided wheelchair equipment, Go to footer note.

To assist us in preparing for your departure, please contact us at least 48 hours in advance if possible, to share with us details of your wheelchair or scooter. Please call 404-209-3434, opens in a new window to help us create a seamless experience for you.

If you have a battery-powered wheelchair, a 48 hour advance notice  is required if you will be traveling on an aircraft that has 60 seats or less. 

Some wheelchairs may not fit into the cargo compartment or may be loaded on their side. If your wheelchair does not fit in the cargo compartment, we will work with you to find the best solution to safely transport your personal wheelchair. Be sure to check-in at the gate ahead of your departure if you need to check any battery-powered wheelchairs or scooters. At the gate, you will be able to direct a Delta  representative on how to disassemble and reassemble your wheelchair or you may provide printed instructions. Please be prepared to carry on board any removable items such as joystick, seat cushion, headrest, armrests and footrests with you. 

WHEN YOU CHECK YOUR WHEELCHAIR OR SCOOTER:

  • Due to the size of the aircraft cargo compartment doors on aircraft operated by Delta and our Delta Connection Carriers, some wheelchairs may not fit into the cargo compartment or may be required to be loaded on the side
  • Customers traveling with wheelchairs are encouraged to review the aircraft dimensions to determine whether their wheelchair will fit upright into the cargo compartment and to provide their wheelchair dimensions (height x width x depth) and weight to Delta Reservations, in advance, for inclusion in their travel record
  • To determine whether a wheelchair is within these specifications, removable items such as joystick, seat cushion, headrest, armrests and footrests may be removed prior to measuring and would need to be stored in the cabin  
  • If your battery-powered wheelchair or scooter can fit upright through the aircraft cargo compartment door or can be stowed upright in the cargo compartment, we will not need to disassemble it and will leave the batteries attached
  • If you have battery-powered equipment that may require disassembly, please check it at the gate so we may arrange for proper handling
  • Removable items such as joystick, seat cushion, headrest, armrests and footrests are highly recommended to be carried onboard
  • To assist in the disassembly of your wheelchair safely, our employees may need your instructions. Please attach /disassembly/reassembly instructions, along with your wheelchair's specific battery type, to the wheelchair or fill out the Mobility Device Handling form. and present this form to the gate agent prior to boarding  
  • If your travel includes airlines other than Delta or our Delta Connection Carriers, please contact that airline directly to verify cargo dimensions and transportation options

If your wheelchair or assistive device (walker/rollator) meets the size and weight restrictions for the approved storage space on the aircraft, you may have your collapsible personal wheelchair stowed on your flight. Wheelchairs stowed on board take priority over other carry-on items.  

To stow your wheelchair, it needs to meet the dimensions 13”x 36”x 42”, though that can vary by aircraft. Please check with the gate agent prior to boarding. If you check your personal wheelchair at the gate, it will be returned to you at the gate for use at your destination or in a connecting airport.

You can help us by identifying your wheelchair batteries as either lithium ion, spillable or non-spillable so that we can follow the correct U.S. federal Dangerous Goods handling procedures.

Lithium Ion Batteries

There are currently no restrictions on self-contained lithium ion batteries in a mobility device.

Wet-cell “Spillable” Batteries

Wet-cell batteries are considered spillable and require special preparations to be transported by air. This includes disconnecting the battery and protecting the terminals against electrical shorting. If we cannot fit your wheelchair equipment upright through the aircraft cargo compartment door, we must remove the battery and transport it in Delta's battery box to meet all U.S. federal Dangerous Goods handling requirements. We cannot transport damaged or leaking batteries by air. Please contact us at 404-209-3434, opens in a new window to make arrangements for transportation of a spillable battery.

Dry-cell and Gel-cell "Non-spillable" Batteries

Dry-cell and gel-cell batteries are considered “non-spillable" and have fewer requirements for handling. Powered wheelchair batteries may remain attached when the wheelchair fits upright through the aircraft cargo compartment door. Due to the size of the aircraft cargo compartment doors on aircraft operated by Delta and our Delta Connection Carriers, some wheelchairs may be loaded on their side. Please check with the manufacturer that the battery is safe when being loaded or traveling on its side. 

Delta representatives will need to know that your device can be stowed in the aircraft without accidental activation. If this information cannot be provided, we will be required to disconnect the battery post connectors and wrap each post connector with tape to prevent electrical shorts during travel. Please attach disassembly/reassembly instructions along with your wheelchair's specific battery type to the wheelchair or fill out the Wheelchair Handling form and present that to the gate agent.

While we do our best to ensure no damage occurs, if you find your personal assistive device has been damaged during transport, please reach out to any Delta agent while at the airport. If you have already departed the airport, contact us at 404-209-3434, opens in a new window. Please have your contact information and flight details readily available when calling.

Accessibility on the Airplane

When you’re traveling with Delta, we want to ensure your comfort for the whole trip. Explore the different ways we provide accessible features or assistance during your flight.

Boarding the Plane

Depending on the aircraft, we provide movable aisle armrest seats so you can more easily transfer into your seat when an aisle chair is used to board the aircraft. The number and locations of movable aisle armrest seats may vary by aircraft type. If you should find that your seat doesn't have a movable aisle armrest, a gate agent or flight attendant will be happy to determine if another seat with a movable aisle armrest is available on that specific aircraft.

Please note that stairways are sometimes used for boarding and deplaning instead of loading bridges. If you are unable to ascend or descend steps, let us know and we will provide an alternative boarding method.

Accessible Lavatories

Many of our larger aircraft have an onboard wheelchair-accessible lavatory. This feature depends on the age, size and configuration of the airplane. Please contact us at 404-209-3434, opens in a new window  if you have any questions about accessible lavatories.

In-Flight Assistance

Our flight crew wants to ensure your safety and comfort. They can assist you with using an onboard wheelchair, stowing or retrieving carry-on items, identifying food on your meal tray or opening packages.

As a reminder, flight attendants are not required to assist in feeding or lavatory functions. They cannot lift or carry you and cannot provide medical services such as dispensing medicine or giving injections. You may consider purchasing a ticket for a care attendant or travel companion if you will need any of the above services not provided. Please review the available options  for bringing a companion for ticketed or unticketed assistance.