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

Be sure your equipment is clearly labeled with your name, address and phone number.
Write down the make, model, serial number and note any normal wear and tear.
Plan to arrive at your departure gate 1 hour before scheduled departure.
Check with the gate agent to get a gate delivery tag and attach it to your equipment before boarding.
When you arrive at your final destination look over your equipment to make sure it’s in good and working condition before leaving the airport.
Notify the gate agent or baggage service office if you notice any damage.

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

Removal and dangerous goods packaging procedures apply to:

Batteries not labeled by their manufacturer as 'non-spillable'
Wheelchairs that can’t be loaded, stowed, secured and unloaded in an upright position at all times
Lithium-ion batteries

Battery restrictions

Oxygen

Requirements for traveling with a portable oxygen concentrator

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

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 you can’t use inflight This content can be expanded

FAA Regulations prohibit the use and transportation of other personal oxygen units, including those that contain compressed or liquid oxygen because they are classified as hazardous materials.

POCs must be free of oil, grease or other petroleum products, in good condition, free from damage or other signs of excessive wear or abuse.

SeQual Eclipse (models 1000, 1000A, and 1000B) and SeQual Eclipse SAROS may not be used on Republic Airlines. These models are too large to fit under the seat for use on board the aircraft. These models may be transported in the cabin as assistive devices and stowed in the overhead compartments but cannot be used on board the aircraft.

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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