Special assistance at the airport

Curbside service:

Inform the skycaps that you are a person with a visual impairment and ask for directions to the ticket counter or your gate. They will assist you to the ticket counter or gate if you desire.

Ticket counter service:

If you are checking in at the ticket counter, inform the agent that you are a person with a visual impairment.

Security checkpoint:

Ask the screener to explain the security procedures; describe what will happen next; let you know where the metal detector is located; when you will be going through the metal detector; and, let you know when there are obstacles you need to avoid. In addition:

  • Let the screener know when you need someone to escort you through the screening process.
  • Notify screener if X-ray inspection will harm the equipment you may be using (i.e. Braille note takers). Ask for your device to be visually and physically inspected instead of X-ray inspection.
  • Ask the screener to reunite you with your carry-on items and personal assistance devices once X-ray or physical inspection is completed.
  • Ask the screener to verbally direct you toward your gate once the screening process has been completed.

Gate service:

Please let the gate agent know that you are a person with a visual impairment. Inform the gate agent that you are visually impaired and ask for any assistance you may need in advance.

If you are traveling with a service animal or other equipment, inform the agent.

Boarding the aircraft:

Inform a flight attendant that you are a person with a visual impairment and feel free to ask for any assistance, such as help locating your seat or with the overhead service panel and its functions.

If you have carry-on baggage or equipment, ask the attendant to help you with stowage. If your flight provides a meal or snack, feel free to ask a flight attendant to identify the food on your tray.

Deplaning the aircraft:

If you have a connecting flight, check with a gate agent to see if there will be a gate change.

Drop-off/pick-up party assisting special needs passengers

As a customer with special needs you are permitted to have your drop-off/pick-up party accompany you to/from the gate, in domestic locations. The drop-off/pick-up party should proceed to the ticket counter to receive a pass to advance through security.

In international cities (Mexico, Canada, and Costa Rica, the Caribbean, Latin America and Europe) or if airport security at a particular airport prohibits non-ticketed passengers in the gate area, US Airways will assist you to or from your gate and make sure your needs are met as you board or deplane your flight.