If you arrive by rail, bus or coach, you can use one of the Assistance Points at the station to call for assistance. A member of airport staff will be available to assist you where needed.
There are designated disabled parking facilities across all 3 terminals and if you are booked into one of the Long Stay Car Parks, an accessible bus will transfer you to and from the airport. Find out more information about disabled parking facilities at airports.
Unfortunately, cars can no longer drop off passengers directly outside the terminals, but there is short stay disabled parking at Manchester Airport which is located outside of arrivals at Terminal 1. To find out more about parking charges, visit airport parking at Manchester Airport!
If you require specific help getting to the airport, one option could be to book a dedicated taxi service such as the one below:
Manchester Airport endeavours to ensure its facilities are accessible to everybody, hence the reason they have collaborated with DisabledGo. The implementation of this service has made getting around the Terminals much easier for disabled passengers. Features include Bright Lighting, Hearing Loops, Level Access to desks, wider security gates for those on mobility scooters and plenty of ramps and lifts.
If assistance is required on your flight, remember to contact your airline or tour operator a minimum of 48 hours in advance of your trip to ensure that you will have the right access provisions in place. Once you have made the relevant contact, OCS (Outsourced Client Solutions) who are appointed by the airport will organise all your access needs.
If travelling with your own mobility equipment it will need to be checked over by the OCS Reception. Once this has been completed, you can travel onwards through the airport alone, or with a Customer Care Agent. Once at your gate, the Customer Care Agent will need to go through the necessary security checks to make sure your electric mobility equipment is safe for travel. It does help this process if you are familiar with how your chair works.
As part of DisabledGo's pledge to make access easy for all, be assured that the terminals are equipped with the following to make your experience as smooth as possible;
Changing Places toilets are available in the arrivals halls/departure before security of Terminals 1, 2, and 3. These provide greater facilities for passengers and their carers who require them and include a hoist, adjustable changing table and sink, and more. Please note that these are not staffed.
Security officers at Manchester Airport have all gone through Disability Awareness training and you can request a private screening room. There are walking aids to help you through the detectors, and there is always seating close by.
Please note that if you require liquid medication to be stored in your hand luggage, this will be screened using specific equipment. Ensure that you declare any medication to the Aviation Security Officers at the baggage x-ray load area when placing your items into the trays provided.
If you or your child is on the autism spectrum, travelling through an airport can be a really intimidating task. To make this a little less so, Manchester Airport has put together some very useful booklets for each of the terminals with advice when travelling for parents and activities to keep children entertained and interested in the whole process.
The Guides are downloadable and available below;
You can also head read more about Autism friendly Airports in UK.
