Air Carrier Access Act Technical Assistance Manual (2005)

Wheelchairs Unable to be Stowed in the Cabin as Carry-on

When a folding, collapsible, or break-down wheelchair cannot be stowed in the cabin as carry-on baggage, carriers must ensure the timely checking and return of the passenger’s wheelchair or other assistive device as close as possible to the door of the aircraft. [Sec. 382.41(f)]

In order to ensure the timely return of a passenger’s wheelchair or other assistive device, carriers must maintain a baggage storage system so that the wheelchair or other assistive device must be among the first items retrieved from the baggage compartment [Sec. 382.41(f)(2)] and it must be stowed in the baggage compartment with priority over other items and baggage. [Sec. 382.41(f)(3)]