What's New in Southwest Airlines Wheelchair Assistance 2026?

Airlines have made a special service for the passnegr who require special assistance so they don’t feel stuck and travel comfortably. The Southwest Airlines wheelchair assistance clearly mentions that passengers can add this service for no charge. If you want, you can request for assitance anytime during or after the reservation. 

In this blog, we have mentioned that passengers should know about while they travel with the wheelchair assistance service. Know about th rules for carrying a wheelchair also. 

What are the Southwest Airlines Wheelchair Assistance? 

Airlines have provided Southwest Airlines wheelchair Assistance service to accommodate and facilitate the passenger traveling whilke illness or with disability. Here are the regulations passengers must know:

• They can add a wheelchair while booking, on the website, or while checking in. 
• Check-in can only be performed through the check-in counter. 
• The accepted mobility devices are both manual wheelchairs and battery-powered wheelchairs, as well as other mobility aids.
• All wheelchairs and mobility aids that customers with disabilities use will be transported without any charges because they do not count as baggage. 
• The aircraft cargo door size limits prevent some wheelchairs from being transported
• The customer service will help in boarding, debaordingt changing gates, or any unplanned event.

How to add wheelchair assistance? 

Passengers can add wheelchair assistance in Southwest through different modes. Here is the detailed process to add this service: 

Online process: 

• Open the official website, 
• Then head to the manage booking option. 
• Add your reservation details. 
• Then add the last name 
• And the confirmation number from the ticket. 
• Then, on the next page, choose services. 
• Add wheelchair assistance. 
• Once the process is complete, airlines will add and send you an email. 

Offline process: 

Passengers can add this service through offline modes: 

• With the check-in counter. 
• With the customer service by phone. 
• With the chat option. 
• Through any ticket counter. 

What to Expect From Wheelchair Assistance Service?

Under this service, Southwest will provide passenger wheelchair assistance from the check-in counter to the point where they leave the airport premises. The experience can differ based on the airport. But the passenger should expect a common procedure throughout the journey. Things that airlines provide: 

At the Airport

• The passenger will meet one of the staff members at the crub or the check-in area. 
• They will provide you wheelchair if you don’t have one to use inside the terminal.
• The staff member will guide you through the check-in process and will also help you in reaching the security screening area. 

• The staff will help you reach your departure gate.
• The staff will assist you during gate changes and delays and when there are unexpected operational changes.
• The airline provides preboarding for passengers who need assistance with boarding their flight.

Inside the Flight

• The aisle wheelchair enables you to reach your seat from the aircraft aisle.
• Cabin crew members provide assistance for storing and obtaining passenger luggage.
• The crew members assist passengers with opening food packages and drinks.
• Passengers receive assistance for lavatory movement on specially equipped aircraft.
• The crew members refuse to assist passengers inside the lavatory, and they will not provide personal or medical help.

After Landing

• The assigned staff member will wait at the gate of the flight. 
• They will take you to the baggage claim area afterwards. 
• Then you can head to the exit gate with your own wheelchair. 

For Connecting Flights

• If you have a connecting flight, then airlines will help you in, 
• Deboarding from the flight 
• And heading towards the second flight. 
• Assistance is provided for connecting flights of the same airlines. 
• The staff will help passengers who need to connect to the next flight or who require a gate change. 

Regulations for bringing your own wheelchair: 

• Airlines allow the passengers to bring: 
• Manual wheelchairs, 
• power wheelchairs, 
• walkers, scooters, 
• canes, and crutches.
• These can be checked free of charge.
• Your own wheelchair can be carried to the gate. 
• To take it beyond that, inform the airlines in advance. 
• Power wheelchairs must follow battery safety rules.
• Airlines may ask you to disconnect, secure, or remove batteries before loading.
• Lithium-ion batteries may have special handling limits.
• Airlines will ask about the wheelchair's weight and dimensions at the time of reservation or while you add it.
• The staff will check the wheelchairs' condition before putting it in cargo. 
• Attach handling instructions to your wheelchair for careful loading
• If you permit the airlines staff, they can detach the removable parts of the wheelchair for easy carrying. 
• If the wheelchair is lost, or arrives late, or you received it in damaged condition, then you have the right to file a report. 

Conclusion

The wheelchair assistance service of Southwest Airlines can be added through different modes. Passengers will get help from boarding to check-in. The airlines also allow passengers to bring their own wheelchairs. It can be checked in. We have discussed the regulation of wheelchair service and bringing wheelchairs. However, there are usually no charges, but airlines provide various services to these passengers. So you can make the trip more comfortable and easier. 

Related Post: 

How to use wheelchair service on American Airlines flight?

Does United Airlines offer discounts for seniors?