Special Items

Medical Supplies & Wheelchairs


Medical supplies or equipment are allowed on board as additional items at no extra charge. Some medical items can be carried on the plane, as an "additional carry-on item", as long as they meet the standard size and weight limits. If your supplies/equipment are included in a larger bag that contains other non-essential items, that bag will not be considered a free item, and will be subject to normal baggage fees. We suggest that you pack your medication, hearing aids and any other medical supplies that cannot be easily replaced if lost or damaged in your carry-on baggage. Visit Accessible Travel Services for more information.

BREATHING APPARATUS

A self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) used by emergency rescue services is allowed as checked baggage. Standard checked baggage rules apply. 

If the breathing apparatus has an attached compressed air cylinder, the regulator valve must be disconnected to allow for an internal visual inspection. Customers are not permitted to travel with personal oxygen canisters and/or cylinders, tanks or other receptacles containing compressed or liquid oxygen on board any flights. Information about onboard medical oxygen or types of permissable oxygen is found in our section on Accessible Travel Services

NEEDLES OR SYRINGES

Needles and syringes are permitted in carry-on baggage as long as they are accompanied with medication that have a professionally printed label identifying the medication, manufacturer’s name and/or pharmaceutical label.

PERSONAL WHEELCHAIRS

We transport all types of personal wheelchairs, including folding, collapsible, non-folding manual and electric/battery-powered wheelchairs, electric-powered carts and scooters, one additional wheelchair battery, crutches, braces or other prosthetic devices provided it is on the same flight with the passenger who is dependent on the device.  

We ask that you let us know about your wheelchair transportation needs at least forty-eight hours advance notice, and that you check in at the ticket counter at least one hour ahead of departure if you need to check any battery-powered equipment. We need this time to ensure your equipment meets all federal “dangerous goods” handling requirements.

PERSONAL WHEELCHAIR DETAILS

If possible though not required, we ask that you let us know about your wheelchair transportation needs up to 48-hours in advance and that you check in at the gate agent at least one hour ahead of departure if you need to check any battery-powered equipment. We need this time to ensure your equipment meets all federal dangerous goods handling requirements.

We can stow collapsible personal wheelchairs onboard if it meets the size and weight restrictions for the approved storage space on the aircraft (you can make a request prior to pre-boarding). The onboard stowage space is available for the first collapsible wheelchair that will fit in this space. This space is available on a first come-first serve basis.

You can check your wheelchair or mobility aid either at the ticket counter or at the gate. We have wheelchair equipment you can use after checking your personal wheelchair or mobility aid. When checking in your device, we recommend removing and carrying detachable items such as seat cushions and footrests with you into the cabin.

If you prefer, you can arrange to have us check your personal wheelchair or mobility aid at the departing gate and return it at the destination gate when you arrive, or at a connecting airport. Just let us know in advance. You should be aware that the time between connecting flights may be insufficient to provide this service during layover, especially if disassembly and re-assembly of your wheelchair or mobility aid is required. If time is a factor, we recommend that you take advantage of our wheelchair service instead.

If your mobility aid or wheelchair is destroyed or lost, we will repair or replace it with a comparable model. With respect to mobility aids and wheelchairs, we do not enforce the maximum liability amounts set out in the Montreal Convention, or its predecessor, the Warsaw Convention, as stated in Delta’s International General Rules Tariff or Canadian General Rules Tariff (whichever applies to your journey).

For more information about traveling with a wheelchair, whether it’s a personal chair or Delta-provided wheelchair service, visit Wheelchair Services.

BATTERY-POWERED WHEELCHAIRS

To transport your wheelchair or scooter without disconnecting the battery, your wheelchair or mobility aid must possess a defect-free battery in a rigid compartment that is integral to the device, as well as an effective method of preventing accidental activation during transport. This would include:

  • inserting charger (effectively disengages power to the battery)
  • turning key off, removing the key (note — the key may be required to transport the chair to the ramp for loading on the aircraft)
  • turning a kill switch
  • removing a power arm (if possible)
  • taping a switch in closed position (see owner's manual if available)

There are still circumstances that require the battery be disconnected. If that is the case, our employees may need instructions. Please attach assembly/disassembly instructions, and your wheelchair's battery type (if you know), to the wheelchair.

These are the different battery types:

If you have any questions, please contact Reservations and ask to be connected to the CRO Desk. Once you're at the airport, you can ask any Delta representative for assistance.

DELTA CONNECTION CARRIERS CARGO DIMENSIONS

Due to the size of the cargo compartment doors on regional jets and other smaller aircraft, operated by our Delta Connection partners, some wheelchairs may not fit into the cargo compartment. If you plan to travel on Endeavor and SkyWest with your wheelchair, please review the dimensions listed to see whether it will fit into these cargo compartments.

Please provide your wheelchair dimensions (height x width x depth) to Delta Reservations or your travel agent, in advance, for us to have in your travel record.

Removable parts such as footrests, headrests, cushions, removable armrests, etc. may be removed prior to measuring.

Delta Connection Carriers Cargo Dimensions
Carrier
Aircraft Type
Cargo Door Size
Endeavor

Canadair Regional Jet 200, 900

43” wide x 33” high
SkyWest
Canadair Regional Jet 200, 700 & 900
43” wide x 33” high