If you require assistance while flying with Alaska Airlines, the airline will support you throughout your journey, from your arrival at the airport, through boarding, and until you disembark the aircraft. Here’s everything you need to know about the assistance service Alaska Airlines offers to passengers with reduced mobility.
How to request wheelchair assistance from Alaska Airlines?
Regardless of your situation (whether you use a wheelchair permanently or only for boarding), you can receive the level of service you expect from Alaska Airlines. To arrange this, please notify the airline’s customer service department 48 hours before your departure date. Call 1-800-503-0101 or 711 (for deaf or hard-of-hearing passengers).
Please note that Alaska Airlines does not offer an online wheelchair service reservation system. However, passengers with disabilities are asked to complete this form and give it to the Alaska Airlines check-in agent at the airport.
Information to be entered on the form:
– Any special instructions the passenger will need during the flight.
– Specify the following:
- The wheelchair backrest can be folded.
- Whether you will be bringing any wheelchair parts with you in the cabin (e.g., batteries).
- Whether the joystick is removable.
– Enjoy a free, no-reservation wheelchair service
If you are traveling from one of the airports listed below, you can take advantage of a self-service wheelchair service. Upon arrival, simply present your ID to an Alaska Airlines agent, and they will assist you throughout the entire process: check-in, security screening, and boarding.
The service is available at the following airports:
Albuquerque (ABQ)
Anchorage (ANC)
Boston (BOS)
Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
Kahului/Maui (OGG)
Kona (KOA)
Lihue (LIH)
Las Vegas (LAS)
Orlando (MCO)
San Jose, CA (SJC)
Seattle (SEA)
Sonoma (STS)
Washington – Dulles (IAD)
Book wheelchair service at Ketchikan Airport
Ketchikan, the island served by Alaska Airlines, offers ferry travel to neighboring islands. Therefore, if you are on a flight + cruise package with the Alaska Airlines Vacations program and require a wheelchair to travel between the airport and the ferry terminal, you can call airport assistance at 907-225-8726.
Alaska Airlines electric wheelchair policy
While Alaska Airlines’ policy focuses on assisting passengers with disabilities, it will never do so at the expense of the safety of other passengers and crew members. Since electric wheelchairs typically operate with lithium-ion batteries, the airline takes strict measures to prevent any risk of battery explosion during flights. Therefore, it asks passengers to follow these specific instructions:
– Remove the battery and protect the terminals to prevent short circuits.
– The battery must be in good condition and have a label with legible information in English.
– Battery capacity: Limited to 160 Wh or 300 Wh if the wheelchair users two batteries.
Wheelchairs weight & size restrictions
Yes, Alaska Airlines requires passengers with reduced mobility to adhere to the following size limits for checking their wheelchairs in the hold:
– Maximum Height: 33″
– Maximum Width: 34″
However, there is generally no weight limit imposed by the airline for transporting wheelchairs on board its aircraft.
Alaska Airlines aircraft door dimensions may vary between aircraft; therefore, some aircraft may not be able to accommodate larger wheelchairs. It is strongly recommended that you contact Alaska Airlines customer service for all necessary information regarding this service before going to the airport.
Check-in procedures
Upon arrival at the airport (at least 2 hours before departure), check in using the call boxes located outside. At the information desk, Alaska Airlines agents are trained, knowledgeable, and can adapt to your needs. They will accompany you to your airline’s check-in counter and will do everything possible to facilitate your journey through the terminals.
– Alaska Airlines assists passengers with reduced mobility:
The airline has all the necessary equipment to help passengers with reduced mobility board comfortably: elevators, ramps, stretchers, straps, and transfer boards. Passengers with reduced mobility are encouraged to arrive at the boarding gate at least 45 minutes before departure to benefit from priority boarding.
Boarding Procedures
Alaska Airlines Assistance Service will help you board with priority boarding.
– On board the aircraft:
Alaska Airlines passengers do not need to bring their wheelchairs into the cabin, as all of the airline’s cabins are equipped with wheelchairs to assist them during the flight.
Furthermore, flight attendants are available throughout the journey should passengers need assistance placing their luggage in the overhead compartments or retrieving it upon landing. However, they cannot provide assistance with the lavatory, lifting, eating, or medical care. Therefore, passengers requiring such assistance must travel with a companion.