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United Kingdom
Share information and ask questions about accessible travel in the UK.
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United Kingdom International Airport Accessibility Information
United Kingdom International Airport Accessibility Information
General Information
Each airport is accompanied by its Airport Code (a simplified three-letter code used to identify an international airport), a Telephone number (you may need to use exit codes, and the country code for the United Kingdom if you are calling from outside the United Kingdom), website, and a breakdown of useful information.
It is generally recommended that you arrive at a United Kingdom Airport a minimum of 3-hours prior to an international flight (even if the airport provides a less congested security check for passengers in wheelchairs). Flights typically begin boarding 1-hour prior to the departure time and it is especially important for passengers in wheelchairs to be present early, as they are typically the first to board. If you are a passenger in a wheelchair planning a trip with a layover for an international flight, you should consider planning a minimum of 2-hours between flights (anything less could be problematic if your previous flight was delayed and/or if you have to pass through security to reach your connecting flight).
Service Dogs and Medication:
Those planning to bring service dogs will face many restrictions, please see this page from the United Kingdom Government Official Website for more information: https://www.gov.uk/take-pet-abroad/guide-dogs
Be aware that various drugs/medicines which are commonly available in other countries may be restricted in the United Kingdom. Please see this page for drug/medicine restrictions in the United Kingdom: https://www.gov.uk/travelling-controlled-drugs
Heathrow Airport (Near Longford in Hillingdon borough, London)
Airport Code: LHR | Telephone: 0844 335 1801 | Website: https://www.heathrow.com/
- Accessibility:
- Accessible Toilets (including multipurpose unisex restrooms)
- Adult Changing Table & Hoist
- Quiet Room
- Multiple Elevators
- Moving Walkways
- Optional guided assistance to/from your flight
- Wheelchairs available (for use in the airport)
- Available Hearing loop
- Electric cart pick-up
- Parking Lot Spaces for people with disabilities
(NOTE: to request these services you can contact your airline, call ahead, or see the nearest information counter or concierge).
- Perks: Dozens of shops, dozens of dining options, various services throughout the airport, very close to the heart of London, and a variety of transportation options to/from the airport. The airports modifications and staff member training are centered around The Equality Act 2010, ensuring access to goods, services and facilities for those living with disabilities.
- Challenges: [Minimal to none] This airport can take some time to navigate due to its layout. Language barriers are very minimal, with multi-language written information and multilingual staff members.
- Access to/from Airport: Approximately 30-minute by car ride from the heart of London with easy access to Trains, Taxi, Local Shuttles, Car rental, and Buses (Note: Wheelchair accessible van-style Taxi/Car rental with lift may be limited and may not be available without request, Wheelchair accessible Buses may not be available).
- Maps: https://www.heathrow.com/airport-guide/getting-around-heathrow/airport-maps In this link, provided by Heathrow Airport Official Website, you’ll find several maps of the Facilities (in English), including very detailed PDF files (that contain the majority of the Accessibility options listed in the section above, the print is small so you may wish to save it to a tablet/device with a zoom-in functionality if you cannot print them large enough). Even with a map in hand, new places can get you turned around, so if this happens, ask the staff for help to get you on your way.
- Assistance Information: https://www.heathrow.com/airport-guide/assistance-at-heathrow In this link, provided by Heathrow Airport Official Website, you’ll find many links to helpful information for “Assistance at Heathrow.” This includes information for those living with disabilities that involve walking, vision, hearing, as well as those who are pregnant or elderly.
Gatwick Airport (Crawley, West Sussex)
Airport Code: LGW | Telephone: 161 888 0831 | Website: https://www.gatwickairport.com/
- Accessibility:
- Accessible Toilets (including multipurpose unisex restrooms)
- Adult Changing Table & Hoist
- Sensory-friendly/Quiet Room
- Multiple Elevators
- Optional guided assistance to/from your flight
- Wheelchairs available (for use in the airport)
- Parking Lot Spaces for people with disabilities
(NOTE: to request these services you can contact your airline, call ahead, or see the nearest information counter or concierge).
- Perks: Dozens of shops, dozens of dining options, various services throughout the airport, close to heart of London, and a variety of transportation options to/from the airport. The airports modifications and staff member training are centered around The Equality Act 2010, ensuring access to goods, services and facilities for those living with disabilities.
- Challenges: [Minimal to none] This airport can take some time to navigate due to its layout. Language barriers are very minimal, with multi-language written information and multilingual staff members (the official website supports English, Spanish, French, & Italian).
- Access to/from Airport: Approximately 60-minute by car ride from the heart of London with easy access to Trains, Taxi, Local Shuttles, Car rental, and Buses (Note: Wheelchair accessible van-style Taxi/Car rental with lift may be limited and may not be available without request, Wheelchair accessible Buses may not be available).
- Maps: https://www.gatwickairport.com/at-the-airport/passenger-services/airport-maps/ In this link, provided by Gatwick Airport Official Website, you’ll find maps of the Facilities (in English), including very detailed PDF files (that contains the majority of the Accessibility options listed in the section above, the print is small so you may wish to save it to a tablet/device with a zoom-in functionality if you cannot print them large enough). Even with a map in hand, new places can get you turned around, so if this happens, ask the staff for help to get you on your way.
- Assistance Information: https://www.gatwickairport.com/at-the-airport/flying-out/special-assistance/ In this link, provided by Gatwick Airport Official Website, you’ll find many links to helpful information for “Special Assistance.” This includes information for those living with disabilities that involve walking, vision, hearing, as well as those who are pregnant or elderly.
London Stansted Airport (Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex)
Airport Code: STN | Telephone: 0808 169 7031 | Website: https://www.stanstedairport.com/
- Accessibility:
- Accessible Toilets (including multipurpose unisex restrooms)
- Adult Changing Table
- Quiet Room
- Multiple Elevators
- Optional guided assistance to/from your flight
- Wheelchairs available (for use in the airport)
- Parking Lot Spaces for people with disabilities
(NOTE: to request these services you can contact your airline, call ahead, or see the nearest information counter or concierge).
- Perks: Easy to navigate, dozens of shops, dozens of dining options, various services throughout the airport, close to the heart of London, and a variety of transportation options to/from the airport. The airports modifications and staff member training are centered around The Equality Act 2010, ensuring access to goods, services and facilities for those living with disabilities.
- Challenges: [Minimal to none] Language barriers are very minimal, with multi-language written information and multilingual staff members.
- Access to/from Airport: Approximately 57-minute by car ride or 155-minute by train from the heart of London with easy access to Trains, Taxi, Local Shuttles, Car rental, and Buses (Note: Wheelchair accessible van-style Taxi/Car rental with lift may be limited and may not be available without request, Wheelchair accessible Buses may not be available).
- Maps: https://maps.stanstedairport.com/ In this link, provided by London Stansted Airport Official Website, you’ll find maps of the Facilities (that contains the majority of the Accessibility options listed in the section above). Even with a map in hand, new places can get you turned around, so if this happens, ask the staff for help to get you on your way.
- Assistance Information: https://www.stanstedairport.com/help/special-assistance/ In this link, provided by London Stansted Airport Official Website, you’ll find many links to helpful information for “Special Assistance.” This includes information for those living with disabilities that involve walking, vision, and hearing.
Luton Airport (Luton, Bedfordshire)
Airport Code: LTN | Telephone: +44 (0) 1582 405100 | Website: https://www.london-luton.co.uk/
- Accessibility:
- Accessible Toilets (including multipurpose unisex restrooms)
- Adult Changing Table & Hoist
- Multiple Elevators
- Optional guided assistance to/from your flight
- Wheelchairs available (for use in the airport)
- Electric cart pick-up
- Parking Lot Spaces for people with disabilities
(NOTE: to request these services you can contact your airline, call ahead, or see the nearest information counter or concierge).
- Perks: Easy to navigate, dozens of shops, dozens of dining options, various services throughout the airport, very close to downtown Luton, and a variety of transportation options to/from the airport. The airports modifications and staff member training are centered around The Equality Act 2010, ensuring access to goods, services and facilities for those living with disabilities.
- Challenges: [Minimal to none] Language barriers are very minimal, with multi-language written information and multilingual staff members (the official website has google-translate support for many languages).
- Access to/from Airport: Approximately 6-minute by car ride from downtown Luton with easy access to Trains, Taxi, Local Shuttles, Car rental, and Buses (Note: Wheelchair accessible van-style Taxi/Car rental with lift may be limited and may not be available without request, Wheelchair accessible Buses may not be available).
- Maps: https://www.london-luton.co.uk/inside-lla/map-of-inside-lla In this link, provided by Luton Airport Official Website, you’ll find maps of the Facilities (in English; that contains the majority of the Accessibility options listed in the section above). Even with a map in hand, new places can get you turned around, so if this happens, ask the staff for help to get you on your way.
- Assistance Information: https://www.london-luton.co.uk/special-assistance-landing In this link, provided by Luton Airport Official Website, you’ll find many links to helpful information for “Special Assistance.” This includes information for those living with disabilities that involve walking, vision, and hearing.
London City Airport (Silvertown, London)
Airport Code: LCY | Telephone: +44 (0)20 7646 0088 | Website: https://www.londoncityairport.com
- Accessibility:
- Accessible Toilets (including multipurpose unisex restrooms)
- Elevator
- Optional guided assistance to/from your flight
- Wheelchairs available (for use in the airport)
- Parking Lot Spaces for people with disabilities
(NOTE: to request these services you can contact your airline, call ahead, or see the nearest information counter or concierge).
- Perks: Various services throughout the airport, very close to the heart of London, and a variety of transportation options to/from the airport. The airports modifications (though few) and staff member training are centered around The Equality Act 2010, ensuring access to goods, services and facilities for those living with disabilities.
- Challenges: [Some] A small selection of shops and dining options. Lacking Official maps of the terminal and accessible services, navigation issues in the airport are unknown due to this. Some airplane disembarking may require staff members to aid passengers down steps on the tarmac. Language barriers may be an issue for non-English speakers (it is unknown if this airport has multilingual staff members).
- Access to/from Airport: Approximately 23-minute by car ride or 70-minute by train from the heart of London with easy access to Trains, Taxi, Limousine, Local Shuttles, Car rental, and Buses (Note: Wheelchair accessible van-style Taxi/Car rental with lift may be limited and may not be available without request, Wheelchair accessible Buses may not be available).
- Maps: https://www.london-city-airport-guide.co.uk/terminal-map.html In this link, provided by London City Airport Guide (maps from the official website seems to be unavailable at this time), you’ll find maps of the Facilities (in English; that contains some of the Accessibility options listed in the section above). NOTE: Because these maps are not from the official website, it is recommended that you use them knowing that they may be inaccurate due to potential improvements/upgrades to the facilities. Even with a map in hand, new places can get you turned around, so if this happens, ask the staff for help to get you on your way.
- Assistance Information: https://www.londoncityairport.com/request-special-assistance In this link, provided by London City Airport Official Website, you’ll find many links to helpful information for “Special Assistance.” This includes information for those living with disabilities that involve walking, vision, and hearing.
References
“Airport Maps.” Gatwick Airport Official Website, https://www.gatwickairport.com/at-the-airport/passenger-services/airport-maps/.
“Airport Maps.” London Stansted Airport Official Website, https://maps.stanstedairport.com/.
“Assistance at Heathrow.” Heathrow Airport Official Website, https://www.heathrow.com/airport-guide/assistance-at-heathrow.
“Bringing Your Pet Dog, Cat or Ferret to the UK.” United Kingdom Government Official Website, https://www.gov.uk/take-pet-abroad/guide-dogs.
“Heathrow Airport Maps.” Heathrow Airport Official Website, https://www.heathrow.com/airport-guide/getting-around-heathrow/airport-maps.
“Map of Departures and Arrivals.” Luton Airport Official Website, https://www.london-luton.co.uk/inside-lla/map-of-inside-lla.
“Special Assistance.” Gatwick Airport Official Website, https://www.gatwickairport.com/at-the-airport/flying-out/special-assistance/.
“Special Assistance.” London Stansted Airport Official Website, https://www.stanstedairport.com/help/special-assistance/.
“Special Assistance.” Luton Airport Official Website, https://www.london-luton.co.uk/special-assistance-landing.
“Special Assistance.” London City Airport Official Website, https://www.londoncityairport.com/request-special-assistance.
“Terminal Map.” London City Airport Guide, https://www.london-city-airport-guide.co.uk/terminal-map.html.
“Travelling with Medicine Containing a Controlled Drug.” United Kingdom Government Official Website, https://www.gov.uk/travelling-controlled-drugs.
DISCLAIMER: Always review your airports rules and restricted items prior to packing you stowed/carry-on luggage. Information is based on Internet and/or personal inquiries, outdated info/inaccuracies may occur (please post any updated information, preferably with reference). TabiFolk Accessible Travel Forum, Accessible Japan, and the author of this post are not paid by, or affiliated with, any of the airports and/or websites mentioned in this article.
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