Southwest Special Assistance

Southwest Special Assistance is a service dedicated to making travel easier for individuals who require additional assistance due to a disability or medical condition. At Southwest Airlines, every passenger has the opportunity to travel comfortably and conveniently, regardless of any physical or cognitive limitations they may face.

The airline’s team of trained professionals is available to help with pre-boarding, wheelchair assistance, stowage and retrieval of mobility aids, and other accommodations to make your travel experience as seamless as possible.

What is the special assistance offered by Southwest Airlines?

Southwest Airlines offers several special assistance services for its passengers. Here are some of the most common ones:

• Wheelchair assistance – Southwest Airlines offers wheelchair assistance for passengers who require mobility assistance. You can request this service when booking your flight or by contacting the airline’s customer service department.

• Special medical needs – Southwest Airlines provides accommodations for passengers with special medical needs, including the use of medical equipment on board and special seating arrangements.

• Traveling with a service animal – Southwest Airlines allows passengers to travel with trained service animals in the cabin of the aircraft at no extra charge. The airline also provides a relief area for service animals at most airports.

• Traveling with children – Southwest Airlines offers pre-boarding for families traveling with children under the age of six, allowing them extra time to get settled on the plane.

• Unaccompanied minors –  The Airlines offers Southwest Airlines minors assistance program for children traveling alone. The airline provides assistance and supervision throughout the flight, as well as during boarding and disembarking.

• Deaf and hard of hearing – Southwest Airlines provides services for passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing, including text messaging and email notifications about flight changes and boarding announcements.

• Visual impairments – Southwest Airlines offers services for passengers with visual impairments, including assistance with boarding and in-flight navigation.

Please note that these services may vary by location and are subject to change. It’s always a good idea to contact Southwest Airlines directly to confirm the availability of specific services and to make arrangements in advance of your flight.

Does Southwest offer airport and boarding assistance?

Southwest Airlines offers various types of assistance for passengers with disabilities or those who may require additional support during their travel experience. Here’s a brief overview of how airport and boarding assistance works with Southwest Airlines:

• Request Assistance –  When booking your flight, you can request assistance for any special needs or disabilities. You can do this by calling Southwest Airlines’ Customer Service Team or by adding your request to your booking on the website.

• Arrive Early – It’s recommended that passengers with special needs or disabilities arrive at the airport at least an hour before the standard check-in time to allow for any additional time required for boarding and navigating the airport.

• Check-In – At the airport, you can either check-in at a self-service kiosk or with a Customer Service Agent. If you require assistance, you can request a Skycap or Customer Service Agent to assist you with your check-in.

• Security Screening – Southwest Airlines recommends that passengers with disabilities or special needs inform TSA of their need for assistance prior to screening. TSA provides assistance and support during the security screening process.

• Boarding – Passengers requiring special assistance will board the plane first, after pre-boarding. A Customer Service Agent will assist passengers who require additional time, such as those with disabilities or those who need assistance with their mobility aids.

• In-Flight Assistance – Southwest Airlines flight attendants are trained to provide additional assistance to passengers with disabilities or special needs during the flight.

Southwest Airlines provides a wide range of assistance to ensure that all passengers have a comfortable and enjoyable flight experience. If you have any specific questions or requirements, it’s recommended that you contact Southwest Airlines Customer Service Team before your flight to ensure that all necessary arrangements can be made.

What assistance to the blind or low vision on the Southwest?

Southwest Airlines provides various types of assistance to passengers who are blind or have low vision. Here are some of the services that Southwest Airlines offers:

Boarding Assistance –

• Passengers who are blind or have low vision will receive boarding assistance to help them navigate through the airport and board the aircraft safely. A Customer Service Agent will provide verbal assistance and guidance, and they will help the passenger to locate their seat.
  

Special Seating Accommodations –

• Southwest Airlines offers special seating accommodations to passengers who are blind or have low vision. These passengers can request a seat close to the front of the plane, and the Customer Service Agent will assist them in finding an appropriate seat.

In-Flight Assistance –

Southwest Airlines flight attendants are trained to provide additional assistance to passengers who are blind or have low vision during the flight. This may include assistance with finding their seat, navigating to the lavatory, and providing assistance with meal service.

Braille Safety Cards –

Southwest Airlines provides braille safety cards for passengers who are blind or have low vision. These cards contain important safety information and are available upon request.

Service Animal Accommodations –

• Passengers who are blind or have low vision may travel with a service animal. Southwest Airlines has policies and procedures in place to accommodate service animals and ensure that they can travel safely and comfortably with their owners.

Audio Description –

• Southwest Airlines offers audio descriptions for their in-flight entertainment system. Passengers who are blind or have low vision can listen to audio descriptions of the movies and television shows that are available.

Overall, Southwest Airlines is committed to providing all passengers, including those who are blind or have low vision, with a comfortable and enjoyable flight experience.

If you have any specific questions or requirements, it’s recommended that you contact Southwest Airlines’ Customer Service Team before your flight to ensure that all necessary arrangements can be made.

Southwest special assistance to cognitive and developmental disabilities. 

Southwest Airlines offers various types of special assistance for passengers with cognitive and developmental disabilities. Here are some of the services that Southwest Airlines provides:

Pre-Boarding Assistance – 

• Passengers with cognitive and developmental disabilities are eligible for pre-boarding. This allows them to board the aircraft before the general boarding process begins, providing additional time to get settled in their seat and become familiar with the surroundings.
  

Special Seating Accommodations –

• Southwest Airlines offers special seating accommodations for passengers with cognitive and developmental disabilities. These passengers can request a seat close to the front of the plane, or a seat with additional legroom or space, and the Customer Service Agent will assist them in finding an appropriate seat.

In-Flight Assistance –

• Southwest Airlines flight attendants are trained to provide additional assistance to passengers with cognitive and developmental disabilities during the flight. This may include assistance with finding their seat, navigating to the lavatory, and providing assistance with meal service.

• Communication Assistance – Southwest Airlines provides communication assistance to passengers with cognitive and developmental disabilities. This may include verbal assistance, written information, or other forms of communication assistance.

• Service Animal Accommodations – Passengers with cognitive and developmental disabilities may travel with a service animal. Southwest Airlines has policies and procedures in place to accommodate service animals and ensure that they can travel safely and comfortably with their owners.

• Sensory-Friendly Travel – Southwest Airlines offers sensory-friendly travel accommodations for passengers with cognitive and developmental disabilities. This may include providing headphones, weighted blankets, or other sensory tools to help make the travel experience more comfortable.

Overall, Southwest Airlines is committed to providing all passengers, including those with cognitive and developmental disabilities, with a comfortable and enjoyable flight experience.

If you have any specific questions or requirements, it’s recommended that you contact Southwest Airlines Customer Service Team before your flight to ensure that all necessary arrangements can be made.

Southwest special assistance to deaf or hard-of-hearing passengers.

Southwest Airlines provides special assistance for passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing. Here are some of the services that Southwest offers:

• TTY/TDD Service – Southwest offers Text Telephone/Teletype-Device-for-the-Deaf (TTY/TDD) service for passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing. passengers can use this service to communicate with Southwest’s Customer Representatives.

• Sign Language Interpreters – Southwest can provide a sign language interpreter for passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing. This service needs to be requested in advance by contacting Southwest’s Disability Assistance Line.

• Written Communication – Southwest can also communicate with passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing through written notes or messages.

• Pre-Boarding Assistance – Southwest offers pre-boarding assistance for passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing. This allows passengers to board the plane early and get assistance with stowing their carry-on luggage.

To request special assistance, passengers can contact Southwest’s Disability Assistance Line at 1-800-435-9792 or by email at [email protected].

It’s recommended to contact Southwest at least 24 hours before the scheduled flight departure time to request any special assistance.

Southwest special assistance for passengers flying with oxygen.

Southwest Airlines provides special assistance for passengers who require supplemental oxygen during a flight. Here are some of the services that Southwest offers:

• Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POCs) – Southwest Airlines allows passengers to bring and use FAA-approved POCs onboard their flights. Passengers must provide advance notice of their need for a POC by calling the Southwest Airlines Disability Assistance Line at 1-800-435-9792. 

• Oxygen Service – Southwest Airlines also offers onboard oxygen service for passengers who require it. Passengers must provide advance notice of their need for oxygen by calling Southwest Airlines. Oxygen service is limited and not available on all aircraft, so it’s important to make arrangements in advance.

• Pre-Boarding Assistance – Passengers who require oxygen may request pre-boarding assistance to allow them extra time to get settled onboard the aircraft. This can include assistance with stowing their carry-on luggage and getting seated comfortably.

It’s recommended to contact Southwest at least 24 hours before the scheduled flight departure time to request any special assistance.

Southwest special assistance for passengers flying with service animals

Southwest Airlines provides special assistance for passengers who are traveling with service animals. Here are some of the services that Southwest offers:

• Emotional Support Animals – Southwest Airlines allows customers to bring emotional support animals on board their flights with proper documentation. In addition – 

• Emotional support animals must be trained to behave properly in public and meet all applicable legal requirements. 
• Passengers need to submit the “Emotional Support / Psychiatric Service Animal Request Form” and other required documentation at least 48 hours before the scheduled flight departure time.

• Service Animals – Southwest Airlines allows customers to bring trained service animals on board their flights at no additional charge. In addition – 

• Service animals must be trained to perform tasks that assist customers with disabilities. 
• Passengers do not need to provide advance notice of their need for a service animal, but they may be asked to provide documentation at the airport.

• Pre-Boarding Assistance – Passengers who are traveling with service animals may request pre-boarding assistance to allow them extra time to get settled onboard the aircraft. This can include assistance with stowing their carry-on luggage and getting seated comfortably.

• Seating Accommodations – Southwest Airlines makes every effort to accommodate customers who are traveling with service animals by providing them with a seat that meets their needs.

It’s recommended to contact Southwest at least 48 hours before the scheduled flight departure time to request any special assistance. 

Wheelchair assistance for passengers with limited mobility

Southwest Airlines provides special assistance for passengers who have limited mobility and require wheelchair assistance. Here are some of the services that Southwest offers:

• Wheelchair Assistance – Southwest Airlines provides wheelchair assistance to passengers who need help getting to and from their gate, and/or getting on and off the aircraft. 

• Pre-Boarding Assistance – Passengers who need wheelchair assistance can also request pre-boarding assistance to allow them extra time to get settled onboard the aircraft. This can include assistance with stowing their carry-on luggage and getting seated comfortably.

• Seat Accommodations – Southwest Airlines makes every effort to accommodate passengers who have limited mobility by providing them with a seat that meets their needs. This may include a seat with extra legroom, a seat with movable armrests, or a seat near the front of the cabin.

• Portable Lifts – Southwest Airlines provides portable lifts to help customers who use a wheelchair to board and exit the aircraft. 

It’s recommended to contact Southwest at least 24 hours before the scheduled flight departure time to request any special assistance. 

How to request wheelchair assistance with Southwest Airlines? – 

To request wheelchair assistance with Southwest Airlines, you can follow these steps:

• Contact Southwest Airlines’ Special Assistance Line at 1-800-435-9792.
• Inform the representative that you require wheelchair assistance for your upcoming flight.
• Provide the representative with your confirmation number and flight details.
• If you have any specific requests or requirements, such as needing an aisle chair or assistance transferring to/from your seat, be sure to mention them to the representative.
• The representative will then make a note of your request and arrange for wheelchair assistance to be provided at the airport.

On the day of your flight, it is recommended that you arrive at the airport at least 1 hour prior to your scheduled departure time.

When you arrive at the airport, proceed to the Southwest Airlines check-in counter and inform the agent that you have requested wheelchair assistance.

They will then assist you with checking in and direct you to the appropriate gate for your flight.