Before you travel

Under European legislation, your airline is responsible for providing assistance when you are on board the aircraft and we will help you while you are at the airport. 

You should always book assistance in advance with your airline or your travel agent, if you need help at the airport. This is so that we can have the right help and equipment ready for you. 

Please follow these simple steps:

• At the time of booking your flight or at least 72 hours in advance of travelling, please contact your airline directly or via your travel agent to book assistance.
• You should also tell your airline if you intend to take your own mobility aid such as wheelchair or scooter.

If you are unable to book assistance in advance, then please make your way to one of the many help points around the airport, forecourts or car parks or go straight to the special assistance desks located in both North and South terminal check-in areas.

When booking your assistance your airline will use a code to notify the airport of your requirements. We thought it might be useful for you to know what these codes are. This will help you in knowing how you needs are categorised and which would be the most appropriate for you.

WCHR – can walk short distances and can manage a flights of stairs.

WCHS – cannot walk far and cannot manage any stairs.

WCHC – cannot walk, needs assistance all the way to/from the seat of the aircraft with aisle chair and will need to be lifted during assistance.

DPNA – learning difficulties (includes autistic, dementia and most hidden disabilities)

DEAF - deaf

BLND - blind

PETC – travelling with an assistance dog

To help you decide whether you need mobility assistance at Gatwick, we've drawn up a full list of all the distances you may need to walk at the airport. Use our walking distance chart to find out how far it is from the car park to check-in or from the departure lounge to the gate rooms. 

Everyone travelling from Gatwick needs to go through security. We advise you to check before you fly to make sure that you understand the rules for what you can and can't carry in your hand baggage and what to do if you are travelling with medication or equipment.

Items such as blood pressure monitors can be carried in your hand baggage as long as they fit within your airline's size restrictions. Other medical items that you may need during your flight including insulin and needles, asthma inhalers, Epi Pen, angina sprays etc. can be carried, but only the amount necessary for your trip. Please pack the rest in your checked-in baggage. 

If you need to use injectable medication before your flight then please go to one of our special assistance desks where a member of staff will be happy to find you a quiet room within the terminal. 

You can find lots of advice on travelling with medicines in our security section and also advice for travelling with your own mobility equipment and other special facilities and services in this section.

We recommend that you always discuss any special medical equipment requirements with your airline in advance of your flight.