MDW Airport Wheelchair Assistance

Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) in Chicago, Illinois, adheres to ADA and ACAA guidelines and is dedicated to offering access for individuals with disabilities. Wheelchair assistance services enable disabled passengers to board or disembark from the aircraft at the airport.

MDW Airport Wheelchair Assistance Important Note: Wheelchair assistance services at MDW Airport are provided by the individual airlines that operate flights from Chicago Midway. Please note that all accommodation for individuals under the ADA should be made through your air carrier.

How to Request Wheelchair Assistance at MDW Airport

Obtaining wheelchair assistance at Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) is easy and should be arranged in advance.

• Procedure: Contact your airline either during booking or at least 48-72 hours in advance.
• If Not Pre-Arranged: Ask for assistance at the airline counter; requests may be delayed (pre-arranged requests take priority).
• Let the airline know what kind of help you need (manual wheelchair, battery-operated wheelchair, transfer services, animal assistance, etc.)
• Upon Arrival: Let the attendant know that you will need assistance before you land.

Services Provided (usually provided by the airline):

• Wheelchair assistance from curbside or pick-up/drop off to check-in.
• Through the security checkpoint (with the TSA if necessary).
• Up to the boarding gate.
• From the gate to the airplane (and into your seat onboard the airplane).
• Ground transportation (to baggage claim).

Please Note: Wheelchair assistance at Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) is free, and you do not need to tip for this service.

Where to Request MDW Airport Wheelchair Assistance

You can arrange wheelchair assistance at Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), depending on whether you are traveling or arriving.

• When traveling: You will request wheelchair assistance at the air carrier’s check-in counter, where you will check in. You should not approach the airport information counter for wheelchair assistance since the information desk will not be able to provide this service.
• When arriving: Wheelchair assistance might be offered upon arrival at the boarding gate, at the baggage claim, or at other points of your arrival. The airline will offer wheelchair assistance.

MDW Arrival Recommendations

In order to make sure that your trip goes off without a hitch, it is recommended that you arrive at Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) well in advance of your flight, should you require help in moving around via a wheelchair.

• Arrive at the airport 2 hours prior to the time that your flight leaves (or earlier, in case of international travel). 
• If you are traveling via electric wheelchair, try arriving early.

Types of Wheelchairs Available 

The carriers serving Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) supply manual wheelchairs that could be used in the airport terminal.

• There will be assistance with manual wheelchairs from the airline or its contracted personnel as you move from the check-in area through security to the gate, and finally to the baggage area.
• If you use an electric wheelchair for your travels, you should know it will most likely be tagged at the check-in counter and carried in the aircraft’s cargo hold. Manual wheelchairs will be supplied for your movement at the airport.
• Keep in mind that a transfer may occur while embarking/disembarking the aircraft. Check with your airline about your battery needs.

Airport Accessibility Features at MDW

Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) provides all necessary facilities for disabled individuals seeking to access the terminal.

• Accessible Parking/Drop-off Point: 164 ADA-compliant parking spots in all parking facilities; accessible zones are provided at all terminals.
• Transfer: The CTA Orange Line station is accessible via elevators. Shuttle and other transfer services from the airport are wheelchair-accessible.
• Elevators and Escalators: All elevators provide access to all floors of the terminal. It is recommended to use elevators where possible for safety reasons. All elevators have braille and raised numbers.
• Restrooms: Accessible restrooms are provided throughout the terminal building, including All-Gender restrooms.
• Amenities: Accessible dining services, wheelchair-accessible counters, and wheelchair-friendly seats.
• Service animal relief area: Accessible indoor and outdoor spaces for service animal relief before and after security checks.
• Others: Hidden disability support, sensory room, and wheelchair repair station with wheelchair chargers.

TSA Security Assistance

TSA provides additional assistance to people with disabilities who travel through MDW to make the security screening process easier.

For details on disability assistance, call TSA Cares toll-free at 1-855-787-2227 (advance notice at least 72 hours before your departure is advisable).

TSA helps passengers up to the checkpoint, while the airline provides wheelchair assistance.

Wheelchair Assistance in MDW Airport – Contact Information

If you have any queries about accessibility at Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), contact one of the following:

ADA Coordinator at MDW Airport

• Phone: 773-894-3728
• Email: MDW_ADAcoordinator@cityofchicago.org
• Airport General Information: 773-838-0600 or flychicago.com
• Your Airline: Airline Accessibility Web Site / Airline Reservation Number

Common Wait Times & What to Expect

Prior booking of wheelchairs at the MDW airport is usually effective but may involve a different waiting time.

• The services which have already been arranged by the airline or other companies will usually be ready for use just prior to your arrival at the airport or gate.
• Waiting times for wheelchairs booked spontaneously at the check-in desk could take approximately 10-20 minutes while the wheelchair is being found.
• During the peak hours, usually early morning and till late evening, waiting time could become a bit longer than usual.

Connecting Flights & Layovers at MDW

Passengers with connecting flights at Chicago Midway International Airport are eligible for continuous wheelchair service.

• If your flight connections are tight, continuous wheelchair service will be provided for your entire trip if booked in advance.
• When time is a critical factor in your connections, then it is highly recommended that you book the wheelchair services separately for each part of the trip.
• When pre-arranged, airline authorities will always wait for you at your arrival gate and guide you to your next gate.

Special Arrangements for Children and Senior Travelers

Families traveling with kids and senior passengers are assisted at MDW.

• Children who use wheelchairs and walking aids are typically given priority boarding services and are usually seated by the aisle for easy access.
• Senior citizens may request slower service, more rest breaks, and additional help with transferring to another mode of transportation.
• Provide details about your kid’s age, fatigue, and disabilities when making reservations to ensure airline personnel can assist appropriately.

What to Bring or Prepare (Pre-Travel Checklist)

It’s always a good idea to prepare yourself for a hassle-free wheelchair travel experience.

• Bring a well-charged personal wheelchair or mobility device.
• Have a small bag of essentials such as medications, identification cards, mobile phones, snacks, or other documents within your reach while sitting in the wheelchair.
• Proof that you have made arrangements for special assistance services.
• Comfortable footwear or easy-to-remove footwear so you can get on board comfortably.

Languages Assistance & Accessibility Apps at MDW

Chicago Midway International Airport offers language assistance and other accessibility services required by the traveler.

• Translation services and TTY assistance are offered by airline companies. It is recommended that you contact airlines before or during booking or check-in.
• You can avail yourself of the assistance services offered by airlines using their mobile applications.

Additional Tips for MDW Passengers

Here are a few more tips to make your journey smooth when using wheelchair assistance at Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW).

• Baggage Assistance: Luggage assistance can be provided along with the wheelchair service from airline employees.
• Feedback from Travelers: You can share your thoughts or complaints related to the ADA on the airport’s website or via the ADA Coordinator.
• Ground Transfers: Accessible taxis and rideshares like WAVs are available. There is also accessible rail at the CTA Orange Line Train Station.
• All bookings should be made at least two to three days before the date of travel.

Terminal Accessibility at Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)

Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) has one state-of-the-art terminal building that is equipped to facilitate access for travelers needing wheelchairs and other mobility aids. The facilities available at the MDW terminal ensure that all passengers, regardless of whether they have a disability or limited mobility, have an easy journey through the airport.

Wheelchair Assistance at MDW Terminals

For passengers who depart from the MDW terminal, they may get help with:

• Escorting through the gates
• Boarding and deplaning services using a wheelchair
• Security checkpoint assistance
• Traveling between gates
• Arriving at the arrival gate, baggage claim assistance

This assistance will be provided by airline and airport personnel from check-in to boarding gates.

Main Terminal Accessibility Features

The following accessibility features are available to passengers moving around in the MDW terminal:

• Elevators that connect all terminal floors
• Restrooms accessible by wheelchair are located on each floor and have large stalls along with handrails
• Wide wheelchair-accessible pathways
• Wheelchair accessible seating areas
• Paging system that is both visual and audio-based
• Wheelchair assistance services at the TSA accessibility screening

The wheelchair assistance pickup spots are located near the airline check-in and departure areas.

Accessible Parking at Chicago Midway International Airport

MDW provides easy and accessible parking services near the terminals.

Features of Accessible Parking:

• Provision of parking spaces that are compliant with ADA guidelines in all parking facilities
• Accessibility ramps leading from curbsides to terminal entrances
• Parked cars within elevator-accessible parking facilities
• Wheelchair-friendly pathways
• Curbside pick-ups and drop-offs featuring accessible areas

Parking may not always be available during busy times; hence, it is important to arrive early enough.

Wheelchair Assistance From Arrival to Departure at MDW

When you need wheelchair accommodation while flying out of Chicago Midway International Airport, you usually receive assistance during:

• Arrival at curb side or parking lot
• Check in at the airport check-in counter
• Security clearance at the TSA checkpoint
• Transfer to the connecting gate (in case of connecting flights)
• Boarding and disembarkation
• Baggage claim and transfer of baggage

The degree of help provided will depend on your airline.

Final Thoughts!

The Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) guarantees smooth wheelchair assistance for passengers, with free airline-provided wheelchair service, efficient terminal services, and airport staff available from the curbside to the boarding gates. To prepare for a trouble-free trip, you need to plan well in advance (48-72 hours), arrive early, and contact people such as the ADA Coordinator or TSA Cares. MDW Airport Wheelchair Assistance makes inclusive travel a reality for all!

Frequently Asked Questions!