AUS Airport Wheelchair Assistance

Wheelchair Assistance at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), located in Austin, Texas, adheres to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), making it fully accessible. The idea behind offering wheelchair assistance is to assist individuals who have difficulty traversing the distance between the point of pick-up and the airplane (or vice versa upon arrival).

AUS Airport Wheelchair Assistance Information: It is the duty of airlines, not the airport, to provide wheelchair assistance to their customers at AUS Airport.

How to Get Wheelchair Assistance Services at AUS Airport?

Book wheelchair assistance at Austin Bergstrom International Airport before traveling.

• Procedure: Request the same from the airline itself either at the time of booking or at least 48-72 hours in advance (best practice).
• At the Airline Counter: You can also request it at the check-in counter at Austin Bergstrom Airport if you haven’t done so earlier (this could cause delays; airlines prefer early requests).
• Make sure you let the airlines know of your requirement (manual wheelchairs, wheelchair assistance, etc.).
• Let the flight attendant know before landing if you require wheelchair assistance.

Scope of Service: Provided to you by the airline itself.

• Assistance from the curbside or drop-off point to the ticket or check-in counter.
• Assistance for security clearance (performed by TSA).
• From the check-in area to the departure gate.
• Assisting you in transferring into your seated position.
• Your baggage will be picked up after landing.

Please note: There are no costs for wheelchairs available at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS). Tipping the attendant offering these services is not compulsory.

Where to Get AUS Airport Wheelchair Assistance

One can obtain wheelchair assistance services at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) based on one’s arrival or departure status.

• If departing, wheelchair assistance can be requested at the air carrier’s check-in counter. However, it is noteworthy that wheelchairs cannot be provided at the airport information counter.
• If arriving: Upon disembarking from the plane, you may be assisted in obtaining a wheelchair right away at the gate or at the baggage collection point. This will be accomplished by an attendant wearing a uniform.
• Please inform the attendant of your request for wheelchair assistance.

Arrival Recommendations

To ensure your entire flight experience is smooth, try to arrive earlier than others, as you may require special assistance, particularly for wheelchair use.

• It is advisable to arrive at the airport at least two hours before your scheduled departure time (even longer if you are traveling abroad or using an electric wheelchair).
• If you use an electric wheelchair, it is advisable to arrive earlier than others.

Types of Wheelchairs (Manual/Electric)

The carriers that fly into Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) offer manual wheelchairs, which can be used at the airport.

• Transportation with the help of wheelchairs is possible via manual wheelchairs provided by airport staff members from the check-in counter to the security checkpoint, from there to the gateways, and finally to the baggage claim area.
• When electric wheelchairs are used, it is important to note that they will usually be marked and transported to the cargo area of the aircraft, while you will receive manual wheelchairs at the airport.
• It is important to note that transfers happen when boarding/deplaning your aircraft. Consult with your airline about the batteries.

Accessibility Facilities at AUS Airport

All facilities required by individuals who need special assistance during their visits to airport premises are available at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS).

• Accessible Parking/Drop Off: All parking lots feature accessible parking spaces. Curb ramps and accessible zones are available at terminal sites.
• Transfers: Available ground transport/shuttles for accessible transport are available.
• Elevators/Escalators: Elevators are available at the AUS airport. Escalators should not be used due to safety concerns. Elevators should be used instead.
• Toilets: Available toilets at all levels include family/gender-neutral toilets.
• Food Services & Amenities: Food services at the AUS airport offer assistance to passengers with disabilities, including accessible counters and seats.
• Relief areas for service animals: Service animal relief areas are available both within the premises (inside the security area) and outside the terminal.
• Other Programs: Sunflower Program for those passengers with invisible disabilities, etc.

TSA Assistance

The TSA supports the disabled traveler who needs additional assistance in going through the screening process for coming into or departing from the AUS airport.

• For additional information about the support services given to the disabled traveler, please see TSA Cares (toll-free) at 1-855-787-2227 (at least 72 hours prior is recommended).
• TSA assists up to the checkpoint. The wheelchair assistance service is provided by the airline.

Contact Information

For any inquiries regarding the availability of accessibility services within the airport facilities of Austin Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), please see the contact information listed below:

ADA Coordinator / Accessibility Services

• Telephone: 512-530-2242
• Email: accessibility@austintexas.gov
• Airport Contact: 512-530-2242 or flyaustin.com
• Your Airline: Refer to the airline website or call the airline reservation office.

AUS Airport Wait Time & What You Can Expect

If you make a wheelchair reservation in advance at the AUS Airport, everything will go smoothly for you; however, the waiting period may vary.

• Everything that needs to be arranged in advance at the airport will be organized as soon as you arrive, shortly before you leave the airport/gate.
• If your wheelchair request was made at the last minute when you reached the check-in counter, there could be a 10-20 minute wait to find a wheelchair for you.

Connecting Flights & Layovers at AUS

There is no need for the people using the wheelchair services at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on their connecting flights to be concerned about the services being interrupted during their journey.

• Passengers who have their wheelchair services booked on their connecting flights will continue to use the service until they reach their destination or connecting point.
• In cases where there is insufficient time for the connecting flights, it becomes necessary to book the wheelchair services separately for each journey.
• Whereas if it had been booked in advance, the chances of getting picked by the airline representatives and going through with them all the way increase greatly.

Special Arrangements for Kids and Elderly Passengers

This airport takes care of the travel needs of children and elderly passengers.

• For children using wheelchairs, boarding priority is given, while those using aisle seats are preferred.
• Elderly passengers can request reduced service speeds, extra breaks, and help in transfers from one mode of transport to another.
• It is always recommended that you inform the airline agents of the age of your child or fatigue levels upon booking the flights.

Items to Pack or Note Before Setting Out

Proper preparations will ensure that your wheelchair trips are smooth and hassle-free.

• Ensure that the wheelchair and other such equipment are charged up before the journey.
• Pack one more small bag containing important things such as medicines, IDs, mobiles, and snacks that you can easily access while sitting in the wheelchair.
• Proof that you have made special arrangements for assistance, where required.
• Comfortable shoes that will allow you to move around easily inside the plane.

Language Services and Assistance Apps at AUS

Passengers who need help with language or anything else receive assistance at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

• The translation and TTY services are provided by the airline. It is recommended that you contact the respective airlines while booking or at check-in time for this purpose.
• Even the mobile app of the respective airline can be used for such assistance.

Additional Tips for AUS Airport Passengers

The following are some more helpful tips that will ensure you have a good experience with wheelchair assistance service at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

• Luggage Help: The assistance for luggage will be given by the airline employees along with wheelchair assistance services.
• Complaints: ADA-related complaints can be reported to the Accessibility team of the airport.
• Transport Services: Transportation facilities in the form of wheelchair-friendly transports, such as Capital Metro, Rideshare WAV Vehicles, and Taxi, are available. All the bookings must be made at least two to three days before travel.

Accessibility Features at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)

The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is made up of one Barbara Jordan Terminal that is accessible to passengers who require wheelchairs or other forms of mobility aids. A variety of amenities are provided at the AUS airport, ensuring that passengers with disabilities are able to travel comfortably around the facility.

Accessibility Features in the Main Terminal

On traversing through the main terminal of AUS airport, some of the accessibility facilities that you will find include:

• Elevators available for wheelchair users, connecting all levels of the main terminal.
• Wheelchair-accessible restrooms are on each level of the main terminal building, equipped with wide stalls and grab rails.
• Wheelchair-friendly, wide walkways.
• Seating and gate-holding spaces available at gates.
• Visual and audio alerts.
• Screening services for the TSA.

The wheelchair assistance pick-up points are provided close to the check-in and departure areas.

Wheelchair Assistance at AUS Airport Terminals

While leaving the AUS terminal, assistance provided at the airport includes the following services:

• Door Assistance Service.
• Wheelchair Assistance while Boarding/Deboarding.
• Checkpoint Security Assistance.
• Transfer Assistance for Gates when Making Connections.

There are helpful employees at both the airline and airport who will assist you from check-in through the boarding process to getting on the airplane.

Accessible Parking at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport has convenient parking services for people in wheelchairs.

Accessibility Features of the Parking Facility:

• Wheelchair-friendly parking spaces available throughout the parking lot.
• Curb ramps and wheelchair paths leading to the entrance of the terminals.
• Elevator services in the parking building.
• Wheelchair-friendly sidewalks.
• Curbside drop-off/pick-up points.

However, it should be noted that there might be insufficient space available during the busiest times of the day.

Wheelchair Services From Arrival to Departure At AUS Airport

In case you require wheelchair services from AUS Airport, there will always be consistent assistance during these phases:

• Arrival either at the curb or parking location.
• Check in at the airline counters.
• Going through the TSA checkpoint.
• Connection between gates when transferring to another flight.
• Getting on or off the board the aircraft.
• Collection of luggage after touchdown.

These levels of assistance will depend upon your airline. However, you are advised to coordinate these things in advance for optimal results.

Final Thoughts!

It’s guaranteed that travelers using Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) would have hassle-free journeys because of the presence of free wheelchair services offered by airlines and terminal facilities. Additionally, all necessary assistance is provided from the time of arrival at the curb side up until departure to your destination via flights. You should make prior arrangements, arrive earlier than usual, and get in touch with contacts such as the ADA coordinator and TSA Cares. AUS Airport Wheelchair Assistance makes inclusive journeys a reality for everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions!