MSP Airport Wheelchair Assistance

The facilities at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP), Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, is required to be compliant with both the ADA and the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). This means it is reasonable to assume that wheelchairs can help those having difficulty walking within the MSP Airport Terminal, including transport from the curbside to and from the plane.

Important Information: Services for MSP Airport Wheelchair assistance are generally provided by airlines or their contractors operating flights to and from MSP Airport.

How to Request Wheelchair Assistance at MSP Airport

Arranging wheelchair service at Minneapolis Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) is very straightforward and should be done ahead of time.

• Process: You may contact your airline company either when making the reservation or 48-72 hours before traveling to allow them enough time to arrange the necessary services.
• If you did not make arrangements beforehand, ask for help at the airline counter or from a skycap curbside (your request will take precedence over someone who hasn’t contacted the airline in advance).
• Tell the airline what type of assistance you need (wheelchair service of choice, animal assistance, or other).
• On Arrival: Inform the agent that you will need wheelchair assistance upon your arrival so that the airport staff is prepared for you at the gate.

Services Offered (generally offered by the airline):

The airline usually provides the following services to assist passengers who require wheelchair services:

• Wheelchair services from curb-side or pick-up/drop-off to check-in, enabling access into the airport terminal building.
• Across the security checkpoint (through TSA as required), to allow for an efficient passage through the checkpoint process.
• To the departure gate, accompanied through the concourse area of the airport terminal building.
• From the gate to the aircraft, including the use of aisle chair services if required for transfer onto the aircraft and into your seat on board the aircraft.
• Ground transportation to the baggage claim area, and then final assistance with ground transportation, such as taxis, etc.

Please note: The services offered by wheelchairs at Minneapolis Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) are free of charge to those who require mobility assistance within the airport environment. It is not mandatory for airport users to tip attendants for these services.

Where to Request MSP Airport Wheelchair Assistance

Wheelchair assistance at MSP Airport will depend on whether you are a traveler or an arriving passenger at the airport.

• Wheelchair assistance should be requested from the air carrier’s check-in counter. Please note that you should not seek wheelchair assistance from the airport information counter, as this is not a place where such assistance can be arranged.
• If you are an arriving passenger:
• Wheelchair assistance may be provided at any point during the arrival process, including the boarding gates, the baggage claim area, or any other place where you arrive. This will be provided by the airline.
• Please remember to inform the gate agent or flight attendant immediately.

Arrival at MSP with Assistance in a Wheelchair

To ensure that all goes smoothly on your journey, it is advised that you arrive early at the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP), especially if you need assistance while moving around using a wheelchair.

• Two hours before your departure time is enough for domestic flights, but three hours is preferred for international flights (or more, depending on the destination). This is because there are long queues at the security checkpoint and when navigating the different terminals of the airport.
• If you use an electric wheelchair, it is best to arrive early to allow enough time for the battery tests and other procedures.

Types of Wheelchairs Available at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport

Carriers operating at MSP Airport offer manual wheelchairs that can be used inside the airport building.

• Your mobility assistance will be provided via manual wheelchairs offered by the airline or its representatives, taking you from the check-in point, through the security checkpoint, to the departure gate, and then to the baggage check-in point.
• If you usually use an electric wheelchair while traveling, be reminded that it will likely be marked at the check-in counter and transported in the airplane’s baggage compartment. Manual wheelchairs will be provided to assist with mobility at the airport.
• Be prepared for a possible transfer while boarding the airplane. Ask your airline for your specific battery requirements (preferably dry cell batteries).

Airport Accessibility Features at MSP

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) offers all the facilities needed for disabled people to enter the airport terminal.

• Access Parking/Drop-off facility: Parking slots for people with disabilities are ADA-compliant and can be found at all parking facilities.
• Transfer: Ground transportation options include accessible taxi services, shuttle service, and METRO Blue Line train service from the airport.
• Escalators and elevators: Elevators allow you to reach all floors of the terminal. You are advised to use elevators rather than escalators as an extra precautionary measure.
• Restrooms: Restrooms are present throughout the terminal, and there are also family or companion restrooms.
• Concessions: Accessible concession services are provided with wheelchair accessible counters and seating.
• Service animal relief area: Indoor and outdoor service animal relief areas are provided before/after security screening.
• Others: Hidden disability support (Sunflower program) and additional accessibility resources.

TSA Security Assistance

The TSA offers further assistance to travelers with disabilities transiting MSP in order to facilitate their security screenings.

• To learn more about disability assistance, please dial TSA Cares free of charge at 1-855-787-2227 (72 hours’ advance notice recommended).
• While TSA assists up until the checkpoint, the airline is responsible for providing wheelchair assistance.

Wheelchair Assistance in MSP Airport – Contact Information

Should you need information about accessibility at the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP), please contact one of the following:

ADA Coordinator / Accessibility Services

• Telephone: 612-726-1770
• Email: Please visit the feedback page on mspairport.com
• General Airport Information: 612-726-5555 or mspairport.com
• Your Airline: Accessibility Website of Airline / Reservation Phone of Airline

MSP Airport Wait Times & What to Expect

Pre-arranged wheelchair wait times at MSP airport work well, though they can vary.

• Services already organized by the airline or another company will be available shortly before you reach the airport or gate.
• Wait time for wheelchairs requested at the last moment at the check-in counter might be around 10 to 30 minutes.
• Wait times might increase slightly during peak hours, from early in the morning to late at night.

Connecting Flights & Layovers at MSP

Travelers who make connections at Minneapolis Saint Paul International Airport qualify for continuous wheelchair transportation services.

• In situations where your connecting flights may be very close, continuous wheelchair transportation service will be arranged for you all the way through if you arrange this in advance.
• Where there is significant concern about time, it is highly advisable to arrange wheelchair transportation for each leg of the journey separately.
• When it is pre-booked, the airline officials will always meet you at your arrival gate and escort you to your departure gate.

Special Arrangements for Children and Senior Travelers

Passengers traveling with children and elderly passengers will be accommodated at MSP Airport.

• Children who require wheelchairs and ambulatory assistance will normally get priority boarding privileges and will be seated near the aisle for easier access.
• The elderly can ask for slower service, rest pauses, and extra help in transferring to another means of transport.
• Be sure to give specific information on the age of your child, exhaustion level, and any special needs during bookings.

What to Bring or Prepare (Pre-Travel Checklist)

Always ensure that you are ready for an enjoyable wheelchair travel experience.

• Carry your fully charged personal wheelchair or other mobility aid.
• Pack some necessities in a compact backpack, like medicines, identity cards, cell phones, food items, or other important documents that you can carry along with you while sitting in the wheelchair.
• Provide evidence that you had arranged for your special needs travel service beforehand.
• Wear comfortable shoes or slipper-like shoes to board the vehicle easily.

Additional Tips for MSP Airport Passengers

Here are some extra tips to make your trip easier when using wheelchair assistance services at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP).

• Baggage Assistance: Baggage assistance may also be provided by airline staff alongside wheelchair assistance.
• Customer Service: Your feedback or complaint regarding ADA can be submitted via the airport’s website or to customer service.
• Ground Transportation: Ground transportation facilities include accessible taxis, WAV, and METRO Blue Line light rail.
• All bookings should be made at least two to three days before the date of travel.

Terminal Accessibility at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)

Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) functions with two main terminals, namely Terminal 1 (Lindbergh) and Terminal 2 (Humphrey), which are built in such a way that they ensure accessibility to passengers needing wheelchairs and other forms of assistance. It is ensured by the presence of various facilities at the MSP terminals that all passengers, disabled or not, travel easily through them.

Main Terminal Accessibility Features

The following are some of the features that will be provided to the passengers at the MSP terminal:

• Access to elevators from different floors of the terminal enables easy movement between floors.
• Wheelchair-friendly restrooms are present on every floor and also feature wide stalls with handrails.
• Wide wheelchair-friendly paths across the terminals.
• Wheelchair-friendly seating areas adjacent to the gates.
• Visual and audio paging system for making announcements.
• Wheelchair assistance services during the TSA accessibility screening process.

The wheelchair assistance services can be availed near the check-in and departure counters.

Language Assistance and Accessibility Apps at MSP

Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport provides language assistance and various accessibility features for travelers.

• The airline provides translation services and TTY assistance. It would be helpful for you to call the airline in advance, prior to reservation, or at the time of check-in.
• You can avail assistance services offered by airlines through their apps.

Wheelchair Assistance at MSP Terminal

Those passengers who board planes from the MSP terminal can receive assistance, including:

• Escort through the gates to aid in navigation.
• Boarding and deplaning assistance utilizing the wheelchair service for a safe entrance and exit from the aircraft.
• Escort through the security check-in process with assistance from trained staff.
• Transfer from one gate to another.
• Arrival at the arrival gate through baggage retrieval and ground transport.

These services will be provided by the airline and terminal employees from check-in to boarding gates.

Accessible Parking at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport

MSP makes it easy to access accessible parking lots adjacent to its terminals.

Characteristics of Accessible Parking:

• Provision of parking spots in accordance with ADA specifications in all parking lots for ease of accessibility.
• Accessibility ramps from the curb to terminal entrance points that have flat and smooth surfaces.
• Availability of parked vehicles within elevator accessible parking lots.
• Pathways that accommodate wheelchairs with adequate signage.
• Curbside pickup and drop-off points for accessibility.

Accessible parking may not always be available at peak hours, and thus, it is essential to get there early enough.

Wheelchair Assistance From Arrival to Departure at MSP

In the event that you require wheelchair services when traveling from Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, you can expect services such as:

• Pickup at curbside or parking lot at the beginning of your travel.
• Check in at the check-in counter in the airport for your booking and luggage.
• Security at the TSA point is assisted by staff members.
• Transit from your check-in counter to the boarding gate if traveling through a connecting flight.
• Boarding and deplaning to ensure your safe journey in and out of the plane.
• Baggage pick up and transport of your luggage to the last part before departure.

Note: The amount of services provided varies according to your airline.

Final Thoughts!

The Minneapolis Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) ensures a hassle-free journey regarding wheelchair assistance for the benefit of passengers with their complimentary wheelchair service provided by the airline company and their efficient terminal services, along with the services provided by the airport staff from the point of arrival until reaching the airplane’s boarding gate. In order to ensure a smooth journey, it is essential to organize yourself ahead of time (48-72 hours), arrive early, and contact a few individuals like the ADA Coordinator or TSA Cares. MSP Airport Wheelchair Assistance makes inclusive travel a reality for all!

Frequently Asked Questions!