Birmingham Airport special assistance, which the airport calls Assisted Travel, is free for passengers who need extra support. You book it through your airline or tour operator, ideally when you book your flight. If you didn’t do it then, contact the airline at least 48 hours before you travel. On the day, the airport recommends arriving at least three hours before departure.
When you arrive, go to the Assisted Travel Reception Area on the ground floor, between Costa and SPAR. Alternatively, use one of the help points around the car parks, the station and the terminal entrance. This guide covers each step, from booking to boarding and back through arrivals.
How to book special assistance at Birmingham Airport
Book through your airline, not the airport
Airlines are responsible for passing assistance requests to the airport. Once your airline has your request, the Assisted Travel team receives the details of your journey.
- When booking your flight: look for the assistance option during the booking process.
- If you’ve already booked: contact your airline or travel agent at least 48 hours before departure. The same rule applies to the return flight into Birmingham.
- Taking your own electric mobility aid: tell the airline in advance. They’ll need details such as the make, weight and dimensions, so have those ready.
- Travelling with an assistance dog: tell your airline or tour operator in advance.
What if you haven’t pre-booked?
You can still ask for help on the day, but you may wait longer. The airport also says it can’t be held responsible for missed flights if you haven’t pre-booked assistance and have given the team less than three hours to help you.
Requests that need more notice
Some equipment needs longer notice. The Eagle Hoist, a full-carry boarding system, needs at least seven days’ notice through your airline. It only works on certain aircraft types and seats, so your airline needs to confirm both before the airport can accept the request.
Where to go when you arrive at Birmingham Airport
The Assisted Travel Reception Area
The Assisted Travel Reception Area is before security, on the ground floor of the terminal, between Costa and SPAR, next to check-in Zone B. Go here first if you need help with check-in, or if you want to register a Sunflower lanyard.
Assisted Travel help points
If you need help getting from your car, train or bus to the terminal, press the intercom at a help point. It connects you to the Assisted Travel team.
| Where you arrive | Help point location |
|---|---|
| Premium Set Down car park | Near the disabled parking bays |
| Car Park 1 | Ground floor, near the disabled bays |
| Car Parks 2 and 3 | Ground floor, near the disabled bays |
| Car Parks 4 and 5 | Accessible bus service to the terminal |
| Drop Off Car Park | Near the entry and exit barriers |
| Birmingham International station | First floor, next to the Air-Rail Link entrance |
| Outside the terminal | Between the Zone A entrance and the Arrivals door |
| Inside the terminal | Zone A check-in |
The maximum wait for collection from a help point is 30 minutes. Build that into your timings, especially for early flights. If you’re staying at one of the on-site hotels, ask hotel staff to call the Assisted Travel team on 0121 767 7878 to arrange collection.
How far each drop-off point is from the desk
The airport publishes walking distances to the reception area before security:
- Premium Set Down: about 155 metres, around 3 minutes.
- Car Parks 1 and 2: about 270 metres, around 4 minutes.
- Free Drop & Go: about 570 metres, around 9 minutes.
- Birmingham International station: about 85 to 200 metres via the Air-Rail Link, around 2 to 3 minutes.
For anyone who finds walking difficult, those differences matter. Our guide to Birmingham Airport drop-off charges explains the cost of each drop-off option.
Check-in and security with assistance
Check-in zones
Jet2 uses Zone A, Emirates uses Zone D, and most other airlines use Zones B and C. If you need help checking in, visit the Assisted Travel Reception Area first, and a team member will go with you.
The Assisted Travel security lane
Passengers being escorted by the Assisted Travel team go through security with them. If you’re travelling independently but have checked in with the team, you can use the Assisted Travel Lane. Its entrance is on the ground floor, next to Zone B check-in.
What security staff will ask
Security checks still apply to everyone. However, the airport says its security staff receive enhanced training to support disabled passengers. A few points are worth knowing before you go:
- Wheelchair users: you can stay in your wheelchair, and staff carry out a seated search.
- If you can’t hold the scanner pose: tell the security officer, who will offer an alternative search.
- Metal limbs, implants and medical devices: mention these, as well as insulin pumps, ostomy bags or sensitive areas. Staff can then offer the most suitable method. A GP letter helps where you have one.
- Prescription medicines: you can carry them in your hand luggage with supporting documentation.
- Medical cooling packs: these need evidence of the medical need.
- Private search: you can ask for one if you’d prefer.
Birmingham’s current liquids rules allow containers of up to 2 litres, and you can leave them in your bag. Rules differ at other UK airports, so check your return airport too. Our UK liquids rules guide compares them.
Support in the departure lounge
Assisted Travel reception areas after security
There are two waiting areas airside:
- North Reception Area: between WHSmith and Pret in the main departure lounge. A team member hosts it from 4am to 11pm.
- South Reception Area: opposite Gate 2 in the south departure lounge. It’s hosted from 5am to 3.30pm, with an Assisted Travel presence for later flights.
You don’t have to stay in the waiting area. Tell a team member if you’d like to visit the shops or restaurants, and they’ll give you a time to come back. Alternatively, you can ask to wait somewhere else.
Quiet space and facilities
The Sunflower Room is a quiet space next to Gate 47, about a three-minute walk from the North Reception Area. It has sofas, a bean bag and books, and there’s a flight information screen nearby. Public announcements still play inside the room.
The Changing Places toilet is in the main departure lounge. In addition, every Assisted Travel reception area is within 75 metres of an accessible toilet.
Mobility scooters and wheelchairs
The airport has more than 250 Staxi wheelchairs, including bariatric models and chairs with leg extenders. You can also ask at the reception area for a courtesy electric mobility scooter. Scooters can’t be reserved in advance, so availability isn’t guaranteed. You can use one up to the boarding gate.
Boarding and arrivals
Getting on the aircraft
The Assisted Travel team meets you at an agreed time and place, and aims to board assisted passengers first. Depending on the gate and your needs, boarding may be by airbridge, by steps, or by ambulift for passengers who can’t manage steps. If you need help to your seat, the team uses an aisle chair.
Arriving back at Birmingham
On arrival, cabin crew may ask assisted passengers to stay seated until everyone else has left the aircraft. Assisted passengers can use the Assisted Travel lane through immigration.
Tell the team if you have hold luggage, so they can help at baggage reclaim. An arrivals reception area in the baggage hall is hosted from 2pm to 1.30am, and the team can help you through customs to your onward transport.
If someone is collecting you, remember that assisted passengers often leave the aircraft last. Allow extra time for that.
Help for hidden disabilities
Birmingham Airport takes part in the Sunflower Lanyard scheme. You can collect a lanyard at the Assisted Travel Reception Area between SPAR and Costa. It discreetly tells staff that you may need extra support or patience.
If you already have your own lanyard and want to use the Assisted Travel Lane, visit the reception area first to collect a tag. Keep in mind that a Sunflower lanyard doesn’t automatically give you access to Express Lane. Boarding priority at the gate is also up to your airline.
For passengers who find crowds, noise or strong smells difficult, the airport offers a route that bypasses World Duty Free after security. You’ll need a staff member to use it, so mention it when you check in with the Assisted Travel team. The airport also recommends that autistic passengers book assistance through their airline at least 48 hours ahead.
Getting to and from the terminal
Special assistance begins once you reach the airport. It doesn’t include the journey from home. That’s worth planning separately, particularly for anyone travelling alone or with limited mobility.
A pre-booked chauffeur can drop you at a point close to a help point, such as the Premium Set Down or Drop Off Car Park, and take your luggage from the car. Tell us when you book if you use a folding wheelchair, walker or mobility aid. Give us its size so we can confirm it fits.
If you need a vehicle you can stay seated in your wheelchair for, read our guide to wheelchair accessible airport transfers first. It explains what to ask before you book.
On the way home, our meet and greet service at Birmingham Airport uses flight monitoring. Your chauffeur adjusts to delays and meets you in arrivals once the Assisted Travel team has brought you through. Tell us that assistance is booked, and we’ll allow for the extra time it takes.
If you’d like transport arranged around your assistance booking, you can request a quote for your Birmingham Airport transfer.
Special assistance checklist
- Book assistance with your airline at least 48 hours before departure, and for the return flight too.
- Give the airline details of any electric mobility aid you’re taking.
- Request specialist equipment, such as the Eagle Hoist, at least seven days ahead.
- Plan to arrive at least three hours before departure.
- Choose a drop-off point close to a help point or the reception area.
- Keep medication, prescriptions and GP letters in your hand luggage.
- Tell whoever is collecting you that assistance can mean a later exit from arrivals.
For general timing advice, see how early to arrive at Birmingham Airport. If you’re arranging travel for a parent or relative, our guide to elderly parents flying alone covers the family side of planning.
Book your transfer to Birmingham Airport
National Executive Transfers provides fixed-price chauffeur transfers to and from Birmingham Airport. Every booking includes flight monitoring and meet and greet. Tell us about any assistance booking, mobility aid or preferred drop-off point, and we’ll plan the journey around it. Book your transfer online and get a confirmed price before you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Birmingham Airport provides Assisted Travel free of charge to passengers who need extra support. You book it through your airline or tour operator.
Request it from your airline when you book your flight, or contact them at least 48 hours before departure. The airline then passes your request to the airport's Assisted Travel team.
Go to the Assisted Travel Reception Area on the ground floor, between Costa and SPAR, before security. Alternatively, press the intercom at a help point in the car parks, the station or outside the terminal.
Birmingham Airport recommends arriving at least three hours before your departure. That gives the team time to help you through check-in, security and boarding.
Yes. Collect one from the Assisted Travel Reception Area. If you have your own lanyard, visit the reception area to get a tag for the Assisted Travel security lane.
Yes. Wheelchair users stay in their chairs, and security staff carry out a seated search.
Yes, if assistance is booked through your airline. The team helps you off the aircraft, through immigration and baggage reclaim, and to your onward transport.
