Mobility and medical devices

Traveling with mobility and medical devices

If you’re traveling with any medical device, a wheelchair or other mobility device we’re here to help – we offer pre-boarding, deplaning and airport assistance.

For battery operated mobility devices, contact Special Assistance to make sure the battery type is approved for travel and for any other special assistance travel requests.

Contact Special Assistance

If you’re connecting to another airline or traveling on a codeshare flight, contact the operating carrier or other airline for their rules on traveling with mobility and medical devices.

Tips and suggestions This content can be expanded

Carry-on devices

Mobility and medical devices don’t count toward carry-on limits. If space is limited, the device doesn’t fit in the cabin or if it isn’t required during the flight, it may need to be checked. These include:

  • Canes, walkers, continuous positive airway pressure machines (CPAP) and other assistive devices that can be collapsed to fit into overhead and under-seat storage
  • Items used for comfort such as seat cushions, arm or footrests

Wheelchairs

Please let a gate or Reservation agent know if you need onboard wheelchair assistance during your trip. Flight attendants can provide assistance in transfers between your seat and an onboard wheelchair, and in moving the onboard wheelchair to and from the lavatory door.

When traveling outside the U.S., we highly recommended you make your special assistance requests as far in advance as possible.

  • Planes have a designated space to hold 1 collapsible wheelchair.
  • Mobility devices can also be stored overhead or under your seat.
  • Non-collapsible wheelchairs, scooters or other battery-powered wheelchairs can be checked at the ticket counter or departure gate.

The doors to the wheelchair storage area are 25in high x 40in wide (63cm x 101cm), with some smaller at 25in x 38in. If your wheelchair is larger than this, contact Reservations.

Reservations and ticket changes

Wheelchair batteries This content can be expanded

Oxygen

Requirements for traveling with a portable oxygen concentrator

Before you board, check in at the gate so an agent can:

  • Confirm that your POC is approved for use in flight
  • Test that you can operate the POC and respond to its alarm
  • Explain the phases of the flight when the POC will be operable
  • Check your supply of fully charged batteries to power the POC no less than 150% for the duration of the flight and ground connection time (including unanticipated delays)

Additional requirements:

  • POC must fit underneath the seat in front of you
  • You can't sit in an emergency exit, bulkhead or any seat that blocks another passenger's aisle access if you have a POC inflight
  • You may use your POC while moving about the cabin as long as the "fasten seatbelt" sign is not illuminated
  • POCs must be free of oil, grease or other petroleum products, in good condition and free from damage or other signs of excessive wear or abuse
Approved Portable Oxygen Concentrators This content can be expanded

Onboard power for medical devices

We recommend you bring any necessary, fully-charged batteries to power your medical devices throughout your flight. Don’t depend on the availability of a power outlet to support your device.

  • If available, power outlets may be used for medical devices
  • The use of onboard power might require a DC power adaptor

Onboard power

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