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How to book wheelchair in British Airways

British Airways is one of Europe's esteemed air carriers, known for its friendliness and care for its passengers, especially those who are in need. The airline offers various kinds of special assistance, among which a wheelchair is the most common one. If you're concerned about how to book wheelchair in British Airways, this guide covers everything that you must learn about, including the procedure to book, guidelines, and some other key points. 

Types of wheelchair assistance one can book. 

  • WCHR: Passengers who are able to move in the aircraft cabin but who require a wheelchair to reach the aircraft. 
  • WCHS: Passengers who are able to make their own way to/from the cabin seat but need a wheelchair until boarding the gate. 
  • WCHC: Passengers who are completely immobile and require a wheelchair to/from their cabin seat.

Wheelchair booking process at British Airways.

Booking a wheelchair on British Airways is very easy and can be done online and offline. Below this line, both have been discussed stepwise and in easy-to-understand language. Follow the instructions if you are booking assistance right now.

Online process: To book a wheelchair online, you just need to go to the airline's official website and then book it free of cost. Kindly read the guidelines before booking wheelchair assistance so that you can find the process smooth.

  • Browse ba.com from your device, and then seek the My Flights options. 
  • Enter the flight booking number and guest name to fetch the flight's information.
  • You can go to the add services section, select special assistance, and then choose wheelchair options such as WCHR, WCHS, or WCHC.
  • Provide the requested details and follow the on-screen prompts to finish the process.
  • Your wheelchair will be added to your itinerary. 

Offline Process: You may wonder how to book wheelchair in British Airways when online assistance is not helpful. At times, when online wheelchair assistance may not be available or manageable, you have the option to do that offline. Use the method below to get in touch with them quickly. 

  • Via Phone call: Booking of wheelchairs can also be done by making a phone call to British Airways customer service. You can speak to a representative who will complete your request on your behalf. Here, you may have to pay a nominal service fee over the phone to add a wheelchair. Use 1 800 247 9297 and follow the standard phone call process.
  • At the Airport: Suppose you are booking a ticket at the airport. You can ask the counter agent to add wheelchair assistance to your itinerary for free. 

British Airways wheelchair policy

Hopefully, you understand the process of booking your wheelchair quickly at British Airways. Now, let's move on to the other aspect. Not having the knowledge of guidelines may make it difficult for you to get a wheelchair when you need it the most. With that in mind, you can read some of the main highlights of British Airways wheelchair policy and guidelines as given below and prepare yourself for the trip.

  • Assistance must be requested at least 48 hours before the due departure so that the airline can make the required arrangements on time. If you make a request later, you may find delays with the services. 
  • On your arrival at the airport, you must approach the Assistance desk or call the Assistance team so that they can provide the help.
  • A traveler needs to inform the airline's agent of their BMI when requesting it. 
  • Travelers can also bring their own wheelchairs or mobility aids to selected British Airways aircraft.
  • The airline allows two types of wheelchairs for the journey: Wheelchairs with spillable batteries and non-spillable batteries. 
  • According to the guidelines, the wheelchair must be under the given dimensions: Length - 140cm (55.1in), Width - 85cm (33.5in), and Height - 152cm (59.8in). Different destinations may have different dimensions and needs, so you must verify online or offline. 
  • If the wheelchair weighs more than 250 kg, you may need to contact the British Airways Accessibility team. 
  • Suppose your wheelchair exceeds the maximum height, including the headrest, and then you can try it as long as it can be removed and taken into the aircraft cabin separately, and the airline may allow the device.
  • For any concerns or inquiries, you can contact Britsh Airways customer support or the accessibility team by reaching the airport by email at customer.service@ba.com or by phone at 1 800 247 9297. 

Cost to book wheelchair assistance on British Airways.

Generally, there is no charge to pay for any traveler who is needful and requires a wheelchair for assistance on British Airways. One has to book it early. Otherwise, the slots may be filled, and none of a single slot is available at the time they reach the airport. 

Frequently Asked Questions.

Can I take my wheelchair on board the British Airways flight?

Yes. British Airways has also allowed you to carry your own wheelchair on a flight. You must inform the airline at least enough hours before departure about the wheelchair's carriage so that they can make necessary arrangements on board. You must specify what kind of wheelchair is used and whether it is battery-operated. 

Which British Airways airplane does not have the facility of wheelchair assistance?

British Airways ' Embraer aircraft (Embraer EMB-145 and 135) do not have wheelchair assistance (WCHC and WCHS) facilities due to safety issues. So, if necessary, you can ignore this aircraft and go with the other one. 

Does British Airways offer wheelchair assistance for the seat?

Yes, British Airways does offer wheelchair assistance for passengers who are unable to walk to the airport, to the boarding gate, or to their cabin seats. Above this line, you can find the whole process about how to book wheelchair in British Airways and related guidelines. 

Do I need to pay for the wheelchair assistance at British Airways?

No, wheelchair assistance is entirely free on British Airways, and you don't need to pay to use the service. However, wheelchairs are given on a first-come, first-served basis; thus, if you really need a wheelchair but have not found one, the airline strongly recommends that you look for another flight.