Need extra support for your trip? Tell us before you travel.
Some travelers need extra support at the airport, during boarding, on the aircraft, or during
connections. Chang Express Travel can help you review what should be requested with the airline,
add assistance notes to the reservation when available, and guide you on what to confirm before departure.
What special assistance can include
Special assistance can mean different things depending on the traveler, airline, airport, and route.
The most important step is to identify the request early and confirm what the airline can note or arrange.
Wheelchair help
Assistance moving through the airport, to the gate, during connections, or after arrival.
Boarding support
Extra time, seating considerations, or help getting to and from the aircraft when available.
Medical needs
Medical equipment, oxygen-related questions, recent surgery, or other airline review needs.
Meals and family needs
Special meal requests, bassinets, strollers, or extra planning for children and older adults.
Wheelchair and mobility assistance
Travelers who need help walking long distances, making connections, boarding, or reaching baggage claim
should ask for mobility assistance to be noted with the airline. At the airport, the traveler should also
self-identify to airline staff as needing assistance.
Before ticketing
Tell us whether the traveler can walk short distances, climb stairs, transfer independently,
or needs wheelchair assistance from check-in to the aircraft.
Before departure
Confirm the request with the airline and arrive early. Some airports require extra time for
wheelchair assistance, security screening, and boarding.
At the airport
The traveler or companion should identify the assistance need to airline staff. Airline staff
or airport contractors usually coordinate the wheelchair or guide assistance.
Medical needs, equipment, and recent health concerns
Some medical situations require airline review before travel. This can include portable oxygen
concentrators, battery-powered mobility devices, medical equipment, recent surgery, pregnancy-related
questions, or a condition that may affect travel.
Ask early for medical-related travel needs
Airlines may require forms, advance notice, battery details, or medical clearance for certain
accommodations. Chang Express can help you understand what to ask, but medical approval and airline
acceptance must be handled according to airline policy.
Visual, hearing, or communication assistance
Travelers who are blind, have low vision, are Deaf or hard of hearing, or need communication support
should let the airline know before travel and again at the airport. Assistance may include guide
assistance through the airport, boarding support, or help receiving important travel information.
Information to share
- What type of airport assistance is needed.
- Whether the traveler is connecting through another airport.
- Whether a service animal or assistive device is traveling.
- How the traveler prefers to receive important updates.
At the airport
- Arrive early and identify the assistance need at check-in.
- Ask airline staff for guide or boarding assistance if needed.
- Keep important documents and medication accessible.
- Ask for a Complaint Resolution Official if a disability-rights issue occurs.
Special meals, children, and family travel needs
Airlines may offer special meal requests on some routes, especially long-haul or international flights.
Availability varies by airline, route, cabin, and timing. Families may also need to request bassinets,
stroller handling, child seats, seating help, or boarding support.
Meal requests may include
- Vegetarian or vegan meals.
- Gluten-free or diabetic-style meals.
- Low-sodium meals.
- Kosher, halal, or other religious meal requests.
Family travel requests
- Infant bassinet availability.
- Stroller and car seat handling.
- Seating needs for families traveling together.
- Extra connection time for older adults or young children.
TSA Cares and airport security screening
TSA Cares can provide information and screening assistance for travelers with disabilities,
medical conditions, and other special circumstances. It is separate from airline wheelchair
assistance, so some travelers may need both an airline request and TSA Cares support.
Security screening is handled by TSA
Chang Express can point you to TSA Cares resources, but TSA controls airport security screening.
Travelers with medical devices, mobility aids, or screening concerns should review TSA guidance
before departure.
When should assistance be requested?
The safest approach is to tell us about assistance needs before ticketing. Some common requests can
be added later, but certain services, medical equipment, or aircraft-specific accommodations may need
advance review.
Tell us early if you need
- Wheelchair or guide assistance.
- Help with stairs, boarding, or transfers.
- Travel with a battery-powered wheelchair or scooter.
- Portable oxygen concentrator or medical equipment review.
Also confirm
- Connection time between flights.
- Seat assignment needs.
- Airport arrival time.
- Documentation, batteries, medication, and device rules.
Special assistance FAQ
These answers are general. Airline, airport, TSA, and medical rules may vary by traveler and itinerary.
Can Chang Express request wheelchair assistance?
Yes. We can help add or request wheelchair assistance with the airline when available.
The traveler should also identify the need to airline staff at the airport.
Do I need to request assistance 48 hours in advance?
Not always. Some assistance can be requested at the airport, but certain accommodations that
require preparation may need advance notice. It is best to tell us as early as possible.
Can special meals be guaranteed?
No. Special meals depend on the airline, route, cabin, and timing. We can help request the meal,
but the airline controls availability.
Can Chang Express give medical clearance?
No. Medical clearance, fitness-to-fly questions, and medical documentation must be handled with
the airline and the traveler’s medical provider.
Is TSA Cares the same as airline wheelchair assistance?
No. TSA Cares relates to security screening. Airline wheelchair or guide assistance is handled
through the airline or airport assistance process.
Need help requesting travel assistance?
Contact Chang Express before booking or as early as possible before travel. We can help review your
itinerary and note the assistance requests that should be confirmed with the airline.