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Every BWIA station has wheelchairs available. At North America, UK, and Trinidad points, there are jet bridges. At all other stations, special equipment will be provided to board customers who cannot climb the stairs of the aircraft.

Wheelchair service is extended to elderly passengers, passengers with minor leg or foot injuries or any passenger whose mobility is hampered and would experience discomfort in boarding the flight normally.

I need wheelchair assistance, who do I contact?
When you require wheelchair service, please call the nearest BWIA office to make the request. Care must be taken to ensure that the appropriate request is made, as there are three types of wheelchairs available for requests.

What types of wheelchair service does BWIA offer?
BWIA offers three types of wheelchair services. It would be useful to quote the respective wheelchair code when making your reservations.

Ramp (WCHR)
Passenger able to ascend / descent aircraft steps and make own way to/from
cabin seat.

Steps (WCHS)
Passenger unable to ascend / descend steps, but is able to make own way to /
from cabin seat. This type of service will require you to complete medical
forms, available at any BWIA office or your Travel Agent.

Cabin (WCHC)
Passenger completely immobile and requires carrying or support to/from cabin
seat. This type of service will require you to complete medical forms,
available at any BWIA office or your Travel Agent.

How much notice do I need to give BWIA?
It is recommended that you make your request at least two weeks prior to your flight departure, except in the case of Ramp requests, which requires at least 24 hours notice.

In the case of Ramp request assistance, airport wheelchairs are in great demand during certain travel periods. Our airport personnel will appreciate your patience if you must wait a few minutes for one.

Is there any cost for this service?
BWIA provides this service free of charge. BWIA will check your personal wheelchair free of charge along with luggage. Battery-powered wheelchairs, with dry cell, wet cell, gel cell, or non-spillable electric storage batteries, are acceptable, but certain safety procedures must be followed in preparing the wheelchair for carriage guidelines can be found in our dangerous goods section. Our Reservations personnel will be happy to answer any specific questions you may have. BWIA will also provide you with an attendant at no additional charge to assist you in moving through the airport.

Using your own wheelchair
BWIA is happy to accommodate customers who prefer to use their own wheelchairs to, from the gate area, and during lengthy layovers. Some collapsible wheelchairs can be stored in the aircraft cabin. Both the aircraft size and passenger load will determine if and how much storage space will be available. Where the connecting time between flights is short, you may prefer to use BWIA's wheelchair service to expedite transportation to the connecting flight.

Apart from the types of wheelchairs BWIA offer, the following are the other types of wheelchairs available, and fall into one of the following categories:

Dry Cell Battery (WCBD)
Wheelchair to be transported by passenger, which may require advance
notification/ preparation, assembly or disassembly. Weight and dimensions may
be specified. Wheelchair and battery must be claimed and rechecked at each
interline transfer point - required only for use by / between US carriers.

Wet Cell Battery (WCBW)
Wheelchair to be transported by a passenger. May require advance notification /
preparation, assembly / disassembly. Weight and dimensions may be specified.
Wheelchair and battery must be reclaimed and rechecked at each interline
transfer point - required only for use by / between US carriers.

Manual Powers (WCMP)
Wheelchair to be transported by a passenger. Weight and dimensions may be
specified - required only use by / between US carriers.

Your personal wheelchair or mobility aid will only be accepted for use on BWIA's aircraft when the meet the following requirements -

1. The wheelchair or mobility aid must be battery / battery pack operated for the duration of the flight.
   
   
2. All batteries used in the said wheelchair or mobility aid must meet the requirement of IATA dangerous goods regulations for dry batteries; the batteries must be disconnected; the battery terminals must be insulated to prevent accidental short circuits; the batteries must be securely attached to the wheelchair or mobility aid.
   
   
3. The wheelchair or mobility aid with spillable batteries must be loaded, stowed and secured an unloaded always in an upright position, the battery disconnected, the battery terminals insulated to prevent accidental short circuits and the battery securely attached to the wheelchair or mobility aid.
   
   
4. If the wheelchair or mobility aid cannot be loaded, stowed, secured and unloaded always in an upright position, the battery must be removed and the wheelchair may then be carried as checked baggage without restriction. The removed battery must be carried in strong, rigid packaging as follows:

• Packaging must be leak-tight, impervious to battery fluid and be protected against upset by securing to pallets or by securing them in Cargo compartments by using restraining straps brackets or holders.
  
  
• Batteries must be protected against short circuits, secured upright in these packaging, and surrounded by compatible absorbent material sufficient to absorb their total liquid contents.
  
  
• Packaging must be marked - battery, wet, with wheelchair or battery, wet, with mobility aid and be labelled with the corrosive label and with the package orientation label.

Wheelchairs / mobility aids with gel type batteries do not require the battery to be disconnected provided the battery terminals are insulated to prevent accidental short circuit.

Note: - Dry batteries are sealed, non-vented batteries of the type used in flashlights or for operation of small apparatus. They contain zinc salt and other solids, or may be of nickel cadmium type or other combinations or metals.