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United States
Share information and ask questions about accessible travel in the US.
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US International Airport Accessibility Information
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US International Airport Accessibility Information
General Information
The following are just some of International Airports located in the United States of America (USA), more may be added later. Each of the international airports listed here are 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 USA if you are calling from outside the country), website, and a breakdown of useful information.
It is generally recommended that you arrive at a US 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 additional security to reach your connecting flight).
Service Dogs and Medication:
Those planning to bring service dogs will face many restrictions, please see this page for more information: https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/dogs.html
Be aware that various drugs/medicines which are commonly available in other countries may be restricted in the USA. Please contact your airline and see this page for medicine restrictions in the USA: https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/5-tips-traveling-us-medications.
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (Atlanta, Georgia)
Airport Code: ATL | Telephone: (800) 897-1910 | Website: https://www.atl.com/
- Accessibility:
- Accessible Toilets (including multipurpose unisex restrooms)
- Adult Changing Table (Concourse F)
- Sensory-friendly/Quiet Room
- Multiple Elevators
- Optional guided assistance to/from your flight
- Wheelchairs available (for use in the airport; contact your airline to reserve)
- 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 center of Atlanta, and a variety of transportation options to/from the airport. The airports design/modifications and staff member training are centered around the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements for accessibility (Details here: https://www.ada.gov/2010ADAstandards_index.htm).
- Challenges: [Minimal] This airport can be confusing to navigate due to its expansive layout. Language barriers may be an issue may be an issue for non-English Language speakers.
- Access to/from Airport: Approximately 15-minute car ride or 28-minute train ride from the center of Atlanta with easy access to Trains, Taxi, Limousine, Local Shuttles, Car rental, and Buses (Note: Wheelchair accessible van-style Taxi/Car rental with lift is limited and may not be available without request).
- Maps: https://www.atl.com/maps/ In this link, provided by Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport official website, you’ll find several maps of the Facilities (in English), including very detailed PDF files (click the links above the interactive maps; 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.atl.com/ADA/#PassengerInformation In this link, provided by Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport official website, you’ll find many links to helpful information for “ADA Accessibility.” This includes information for those living with disabilities that involve walking and hearing.
Los Angeles International Airport (Los Angeles, California)
Airport Code: LAX | Telephone: (855) 463-5252 | Website: https://www.flylax.com/
- Accessibility:
- Accessible Toilets (including multipurpose unisex restrooms)
- Adult Changing Table (departures level of Terminal One)
- Multiple Elevators
- Wheelchairs available (for use in the airport)
- Available Smartphone App for those with Visual Disabilities
- 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 Los Angeles, and a variety of transportation options to/from the airport. The airports designs/modifications and staff member training are centered around the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements for accessibility (Details here: https://www.ada.gov/2010ADAstandards_index.htm).
- Challenges: [Minimal] This airport can take some time to navigate due to its layout. Language barriers may be an issue may be an issue for non-English speakers.
- Access to/from Airport: Approximately 30-minute car ride from downtown Los Angeles with easy access to 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).
- Maps: https://www.flylax.com/en/lax-terminal-maps In this link, provided Los Angeles International Airport official site, you’ll find several maps of the Facilities (in English), including a detailed PDF files (that contain 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.flylax.com/en/lax-americans-with-disability-act In this link, provided by Los Angeles International Airport official site, you’ll find many links to helpful “Traveler Information for Persons with Disability.” This includes information for those living with disabilities that involve walking, medical Oxygen, and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Chicago O’Hare International Airport (Chicago, Illinois)
Airport Code: ORD | Telephone: (800) 832-6352 | Website: https://www.flychicago.com/ohare/home/
- Accessibility:
- Accessible Toilets (including multipurpose unisex restrooms)
- Adult Changing Table
- 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, less than an hour to Chicago, and a variety of transportation options to/from the airport. The airports designs/modifications and staff member training are centered around the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements for accessibility (Details here: https://www.ada.gov/2010ADAstandards_index.htm).
- Challenges: [Minimal] 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 dozens of languages besides English).
- Access to/from Airport: Approximately 36-minutes by car or 47-minutes train from Downtown Chicago with easy access to Train, 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).
- Maps: https://www.flychicago.com/ohare/map/Pages/printablemaps.aspx In this link, provided by Chicago O’Hare International Airport official website, you’ll find maps of the Facilities (in English), including a 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.flychicago.com/ohare/ServicesAmenities/accessibility/Pages/default.aspx In this link, provided by Chicago O’Hare International Airport official website, you’ll find many links to a helpful “Accessibility Guide.” This includes information for those living with disabilities that involve walking and hearing.
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (Between Dallas & Fort Worth, Texas)
Airport Code: DFW | Telephone: (972) 973-4968 | Website: https://www.dfwairport.com/
- Accessibility:
- Accessible Toilets (including multipurpose unisex restrooms)
- 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, very close to Dallas & Fort Worth, and a variety of transportation options to/from the airport. The airports designs/modifications and staff member training are centered around the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements for accessibility (Details here: https://www.ada.gov/2010ADAstandards_index.htm).
- Challenges: [Minimal] This airport can take some time to navigate due to its layout. Language barriers may be an issue may be an issue for non-English speakers.
- Access to/from Airport: Approximately 30-minute car ride from Fort Worth or Dallas with easy access to 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).
- Maps: https://www.dfwairport.com/map/index.php In this link, provided by Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport Official Site, you’ll find an interactive map of the Facilities (in English; which 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.dfwairport.com/accessibility/index.php In this link, provided by Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport Official Site, you’ll find many links to helpful information for “Accessibility.” This includes information for those living with disabilities that involve walking, vision, and hearing.
Orlando International Airport (Orlando, Florida)
Airport Code: MCO | Telephone: (407) 825-2001 | Website: https://orlandoairports.net/
- Accessibility:
- Accessible Toilets (including multipurpose unisex restrooms)
- Adult Changing Table
- Multiple Elevators
- Moving Walkways
- Optional guided assistance to/from your flight
- Wheelchairs available (for use in the airport)
- Electric cart pick-up
- Navigation app for smartphones (see Maps below)
- Parking Lot Spaces for people with disabilities (with discounted parking fees available)
(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 Orlando, very close to multiple amusement parks, and a variety of transportation options to/from the airport. The airports designs/modifications and staff member training are centered around the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements for accessibility (Details here: https://www.ada.gov/2010ADAstandards_index.htm).
- Challenges: [Minimal] 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 many languages besides English).
- Access to/from Airport: Approximately 20-minute car ride from downtown Orlando or Walt Disney World with easy access to 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).
- Maps: https://orlandoairports.net/getting-around-mco/ In this link, provided by Orlando International Airport Official Site, you’ll find a map of the Facilities (in English; that contains the majority of the Accessibility options listed in the section above) and a link to a smartphone navigation app (may not be available for all phones/networks). 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://orlandoairports.net/getting-around-mco/accessibility/#disabled-services In this link, provided by Orlando International Airport Official Site, you’ll find many links to helpful information for “Accessibility.” This includes information for those living with disabilities that involve walking, and hearing.
References
“5 Tips for Traveling to the U.S. With Medications.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/5-tips-traveling-us-medications.
“Accessibility.” Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport Official Site, https://www.dfwairport.com/accessibility/index.php.
“Accessibility.” Orlando International Airport Official Site, https://orlandoairports.net/getting-around-mco/accessibility/#disabled-services.
“Accessibility Guide.” Chicago O’Hare International Airport, https://www.flychicago.com/ohare/ServicesAmenities/accessibility/Pages/default.aspx.
“ADA Accessibility.” Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, https://www.atl.com/ADA/#PassengerInformation.
“ADA Standards for Accessible Design.” http://Www.ada.gov, https://www.ada.gov/2010ADAstandards_index.htm.
“Bringing a Dog into the United States.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/dogs.html.
“DFW Maps.” Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport Official Site, https://www.dfwairport.com/map/index.php.
“LAX Terminal Maps.” Los Angeles International Airport Official Site, https://www.flylax.com/en/lax-terminal-maps.
“Printable Maps.” Chicago O’Hare International Airport, https://www.flychicago.com/ohare/map/Pages/printablemaps.aspx.
“Terminal Maps.” Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, https://www.atl.com/maps/.
“Terminal Maps.” Orlando International Airport Official Site, https://orlandoairports.net/getting-around-mco/.
“Traveler Information for Persons with Disability.” Los Angeles International Airport Official Site, https://www.flylax.com/en/lax-americans-with-disability-act.
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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2 Replies
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Wow! This is so detailed!
Great information 🙂
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Great to hear! I hope it helps people find what they need.
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