Photograph of a woman transported in a wheelchair at the airport, helped by another woman. On the left side, a man pulls a yellow suitcase.

SPECIAL NEEDS

Wheelchairs

Assistance for passengers with reduced mobility. We guarantee support at the airport up until boarding your flight.
We recommend that you do the booking of this service up to 48 hours before the trip.

The ideal solution for you

Ramp
For passengers with reduced mobility but who can go up and down stairs as well as move about inside the plane cabin.
If the main obstacle for the passenger is the distance to and from the aircraft, we can provide a wheelchair at check-in. You must request one at least 48 hours before your flight.
Stairs
This is a free service that TAP provides for passengers with reduced mobility to get up and down stairs.
To the seat
For passengers with reduced mobility, we suggest travelling with a companion for comfort and safety reasons. However, if you are able to ensure your mobility and plan to travel alone, you can do so.

TAP does not provide any assistance on board after the declaration of autonomy has been made by such passengers, neither do we provide assistance in the lavatories, or for lifting up, carrying or feeding passengers.

There is no need to obtain a doctor’s authorisation to travel. Such an authorisation is only necessary if the passenger has health problems that prove to require medical treatment.
No waiting list is permitted for this service.

How to book?

Requesting assistance is simple, just fill in the request for assistance to be provided to people with special needs form. You can do it through our Contact Center or your travel agency.

Take into account the limitations of on-board assistance, so if you have high motor difficulties, you shouldn't travel alone.

If you are autonomous and want to travel on your own, you can do so.

If you travel with your own chair:

Before departure: you must notify the need to transport a wheelchair. Each passenger can carry up to two wheelchairs, free of charge, in the cargo hold.
When booking: you should indicate whether the chair is manual or electric, as well as the type of battery and its specifications. In order to avoid possible short circuits, batteries must always be properly protected, packaged, disconnected and terminals covered with insulating material.
- Note: Electric chairs cannot be transported all the way to the plane. If your flight is operated by TAP, and if you need it, we will provide you with a manual replacement chair upon check-in, to ensure that you receive the necessary assistance. We inform you that on flights operated by other airlines, the request for electric wheelchair transport may be denied/unauthorized. Before traveling, ensure that the airline you chose allows you to transport your electric wheelchair.

Fill out form

Request special assistance

Once you have booked your flight, request special assistance in advance through our online form.

Fill out form

Book wheelchair

Easily request your wheelchair. Do it up to 48 hours before the trip.
Make your request here.

How is the assistance provided?

When you arrive at the airport you must go to our check-in desk, where you will have all the support to ensure a smooth journey.

In Lisbon you will find us in Terminal 1 Departures, at the dedicated special assistance desks.

If you are a TAP/Star Alliance Gold member or are travelling in Business Class, use the check-in services in the Premium area.

If you travel with departure, or destination, to Lisbon, Porto, Faro, João Paulo II, Santa Maria, Horta, Flores, Madeira or Porto Santo airports, know that this service is provided by ANA, Airports of Portugal. Click here for more information.

Flights	Recommended airport arrival time	Latest possible airport arrival time
Intercontinental	3 hours prior to departure	2 hours prior to departure
Europe	2 hours prior to departure	90 minutes prior to departure

The crew will help you to embark/disembark, ensure you are comfortable on board and give you information. However, the crew cannot help you with your personal care, feeding or help you move about inside the aircraft.

If necessary, TAP can provide wheelchairs on board long-haul flights that are specially designed to move about in the narrow aisles, and which will enable you to move around the cabin.

Our staff will meet you at the aircraft on arrival at your transfer airport or final destination and will accompany you through the entire process: passport control, luggage reclaim and customs.

Airbus Aircraft – TAP Fleet
Airbus	Seats	Division by class
A319	6	4 in Economy Class and 2 in Executive Class \| 2 stretchers
A320	8	6 in Economy Class and 2 in Executive Class \| 2 stretchers
A321	8	6 in Economy Class and 2 in Executive Class \| 2 stretchers
A330	6	4 in Economy Class and 2 in Executive Class \| 2 stretchers
A340	10	8 in Economy Class and 2 in Executive Class \| 2 stretchers

TAP Express aircrafts
Aircrafts	Seats	Limits on chairs and stretchers
F100	5	5 in the Economy Class \| does not allow the transport of stretchers
ER4	4	4 in the Economy Class \| does not allow the transport of stretchers
ATR	2	2 in the Economy Class \| does not allow the transport of stretchers

The transport of stretchers is possible with limits per plane.

Please note that a copy of the document concerning air travel non-discrimination due to disability is available at Porto, Lisbon and Newark airports.

If you are interested, you can obtain a copy of these documents or more information from the contacts [email protected] and [email protected].

Legislation

See the rules and regulations relating to wheelchairs:

Regulation 1107/2006
Regulation 1107/2006 - Rights of Disabled Persons and Persons with Reduced Mobility when Travelling by Air (PDF, 0.1MB, EN)

Flights to and from the USA
TAP complies with US regulations preventing discrimination on the basis of disability on all its flights to and from the United States.

A copy of this document is available for consultation at the desks in Lisbon, Porto, Newark and Miami airports.

You may also request a copy of these regulations directly from the US Department of Transportation prior to flying:
- By telephone from within the United States via a free helpline for disabled passengers: 1-800- 778-4838 (speaking) or 1-800- 455-9880 (TTY);
- By telephone to the Aviation Consumer Protection Division: 202-366- 2220 (speaking) or 202-366-0511 (TTY);
- On the website of the Aviation Consumer and Protection Division (PDF, 0.1MB, EN); (DOT, 14 Part 382 ACAA, "Non-discrimination on the Basis of Disability in Air Travel; Final Rule");
- In writing to the Aviation Consumer Protection Division: Aviation Consumer Protection Division C-75, U.S. Department of Transportation; 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., West Building, Room W96-432; Washington, DC 20590, EUA.

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