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Assisted Travel

We have a range of facilities and services on hand at Leeds Bradford Airport to help passengers with reduced mobility have as pleasant an experience of air travel as possible.

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How to request assistance

If you’ll require assistance at the airport you must notify your airline, tour operator or travel agent at the time of booking. You’ll need to let them know your assistance requirements and whether you are travelling with a mobility aid or assistance dog. If you have booked the flights online yourself, some airlines provide an option to book assistance in the “My Booking” section of their website.This should be no later than 48 hours before you are due to travel. 

Your airline will ensure the airport is expecting to assist you. Failure to pre-notify, may result in a delay to assistance upon your departure or arrival. 

 Airlines can be notified on the following numbers:

Assistance available at the airport

Passengers can experience assistance on many different levels at the airport, to suit all needs.

Let our Assisted Travel team know when you have arrived at the airport so that at the designated points assistance can be provided. We can help you from any of the on-site car parks, through check-in and security through to assisting to the seat on the aircraft. 

When travelling in to Leeds Bradford Airport, assistance can be provided from the aircraft, through immigration and baggage reclaim, to a designated point within the car parks.

Your requirements can be discussed with our Assisted Travel team. Please email us at customercare@lba.co.uk.

Help Points

You can request assistance from the Terminal Front Express help point, please use the intercom systems provided to speak to a member of the customer services team who will notify the Assisted Travel team; 

  • Pick Up & Drop Off - Car Park Pay Station next to the Disabled parking bays

In addition all car park entry and exit barriers are fitted with assistance call points where you can speak to a member of the customer services team.

On the day of departure

Please allow plenty of time to travel to the airport and for the check-in and security processes. This will allow the Assisted Travel team plenty of time to assist you to the departures area. We recommend arriving at the airport 2-3 hours before your scheduled time of departure.

Travelling to the airport

Travel by Car

Blue badge parking spaces are available in our on-site official car parks, for further information please see Parking Assisted Travel page.

If you wish to travel with your blue badge, please display a photocopy of your badge in your windscreen. The disabled parking area is checked regularly and your car may be clamped if there is no sign of disabled parking entitlement.

If you experience difficulty at either the car park entry or exit point, assistance is available via the clearly indicated intercom button.

Distances from the Car Parks to the Terminal:

  • Long Stay - 7-9 minutes’ walk
  • Mid Stay - 3-4 minutes’ walk / 340 metres
  • Short Stay - 3 minutes’ walk / 220 metres
  • Premium Short Stay - 1-2 minutes' walk
  • Pick Up & Drop Off - 2 minutes’ walk / 100 metres
  • Car Hire – 10-15 minutes’ walk

SEE BLUE BADGE PARKING

Travel by Bus

Leeds Bradford Airport is located between Leeds, Bradford and Harrogate and is easily accessible by public transport. A range of bus services make it quick and convenient to get to the airport, running daily from early morning to late night, including weekends and bank holidays.

GETTING TO THE AIRPORT BY BUS

Travel by Taxi

Arrow Cars is the official private hire operator at the airport, with pick up and drop off points on the Terminal Front. Passengers can pre book the journey and class of vehicle to suit their requirements and accessible vehicles are available.

GETTING TO THE AIRPORT BY TAXI

At the airport and our terminal building

A map of the terminal is available on the terminal map page.

  • Lifts are available throughout the terminal building serving all floors.
  • Disabled toilets are available throughout the terminal building and located on all floors.

Terminal walking distances- departures:

  • Main Entrance to Assisted Travel area - 0 minutes / 5 metres
  • Main Entrance to Check in Hall A - 3 minutes / 150 metres
  • Main Entrance to Check in Hall B - 1 minute / 98 metres
  • Main Entrance to Disabled Toilet facility - 0 minutes / 18 metres
  • Main Entrance to International Arrivals Meet and Greet area - 1 minute / 46 metres
  • Security to Gate 6 Assisted Travel Meeting point - 4 - 5 minutes / 250 metres
  • Security to Disabled Toilet - 2 minutes / 91 metres
  • Security to Furthest Boarding Gate - 7 - 8 minutes / 500 metres
  • Furthest Walking Stand to Immigration Control - 8 minutes / 449 metres
  • Immigration Control to Baggage Reclaim - 30-60 seconds / 40 metres
  • Baggage Reclaim to International Arrivals Meet and Greet Area - 1 minute / 76 metres
  • International Arrivals to Terminal Front - 30 seconds / 32 metres
  • International Arrivals to Assisted Travel desk - 1 minute / 38 metres

Terminal walking distances- arrivals:

  • Furthest Walking Stand to Immigration Control - 8 minutes / 449 metres
  • Immigration Control to Baggage Reclaim - 30-60 seconds / 40 metres
  • Baggage Reclaim to International Arrivals Meet and Greet Area - 1 minute / 76 metres
  • International Arrivals to Terminal Front - 30 seconds / 32 metres
  • International Arrivals to Special Assistance desk - 1 minute / 38 metres

SEE TERMINAL MAP

Assisted Travel Meeting Area

The Assisted Travel meeting area is located by the main terminal entrance. Have a look at our terminal map for more details.

SEE TERMINAL MAP

Airport Security

PRM passengers are advised that security processes and restrictions are applied to all passengers. PRM passengers will be directed into the security area via an easily accessible route and those passengers travelling with their own wheelchairs or electric mobility aid, will be assisted by a security officer once within the search area.

In addition, private search rooms are available within the search area by request. Mobility equipment passengers are entitled to travel within their own wheelchair or electric mobility aid, to and from the aircraft side. The passenger should still make themselves known to our Assisted Travel team on arrival at the airport as the equipment must be presented to the check-in agent to be tagged for travel.

You are allowed to carry essential medicines of more than 100ml in your hand luggage. Remember to take a sufficient supply for your journey, your stay in your destination, and a reasonable amount to cover any delays. Please ensure you bring a prescription or written documentation from your doctor stating that you require the medication. Extra supplies can be carried in your hand luggage. It is advised that extra supplies be in a separate hand luggage bag in case of any loss and most airlines allow an extra hand luggage bag for medication, however please check with the relevant airline in advance of travelling.

For more information on permitted medicines and security processes, please read detailed guidance in our Security Guide.

Guide to Airport Security and Essential Medicines

Terminal Arrivals

On disembarking your aircraft you will either be transferred to the terminal by coach or, if your aircraft is parked adjacent to the passenger walkway, you will access the terminal on foot. Whilst Leeds Bradford Airport has some of the shortest passenger walking distances of any airport, at the halfway point to immigration there is a seating area where assistance may be summoned from a member of staff. Always advise your airline in advance of any Assisted Travel you may require.

Changing Places

Leeds Bradford Airport has a dedicated Changing Places room in departures. This facility offers a spacious room for a person plus carers in a safe and comfortable environment. It is the responsibility of the user and / or carers to facilitate the use of the Changing Places room and its equipment.

Access to the Changing Places Room is located on the first floor of departures, adjacent to the Saltaire Bar & Eatery (See Terminal Map). This is a locked facility and access is available by using the assistance phone outside the Changing Places room, or by notifying us on your arrival at the terminal. There is a red telephone within the Changing Places room for emergencies, which will automatically dial the customer services team when the receiver is lifted.

Features:

  • Height adjustable bed
  • Tracking hoist (only compatible with slings with a loop fastening)
  • Centrally placed toilet
  • Privacy screen
  • Wide - tear paper dispenser
  • Hoist max 200kg/ 31 stone
  • Bed max 200kg/ 31 stone
  • Leeds Bradford Airport do not provide slings. Passengers and Carers must bring their own slings if they wish to use this facility
  • The maximum weight limit to use the hoist is 200kg/ 31 stone
  • The tracking hoist is only compatible with slings with a loop fastening
  • Weight Limits

Guidance on using the Tracking Hoist:

  • Leeds Bradford Airport do not provide slings. Passengers and Carers must bring their own slings if they wish to use this facility
  • The maximum weight limit to use the hoist is 200kg/ 31 stone
  • The tracking hoist is only compatible with slings with a loop fastening

After use, please return the hoist to the charging point, ready for the next person to use. We kindly request that the Changing Places Room is left as you would wish to find it. Should the room require any attention, please notify us using the telephone provided.

Assistance Animals

For Travel:

LBA accepts registered assistance animals if travelling on approved airlines and routes, as part of the Pet Travel Scheme. Passengers are required to notify their airline at the time of booking if they are travelling with an assistance animal. Please contact Assisted Travel if assistance is required.

Within the Terminal:

All assistance animals are welcome within the terminal.

Well behaved pet dogs are welcome within the landside area of the terminal only providing they are on a lead and do not enter the café servery or café seating area.

Mobility Equipment

Mobility equipment taken on the aircraft with you: 

Mobility equipment will be handed to / from the passenger or ground handling team at the aircraft side, and our Assisted Travel team will continue to assist the passenger to their final designated point. 

Mobility equipment checked-in to hold luggage: 

Passengers who check-in their equipment prior to starting their journey will be met with their equipment at a designated point within baggage reclaim by our Assisted Travel team. 

Passengers travelling with an electric mobility aid are required to notify their airline at the time of booking, of the make, model including battery type to ensure this is accepted for travel. On arrival at the airport for a departure, passengers are required to report to the airline check-in desk and our Assisted Travel desk so the required documentation can be completed. To avoid disconnecting batteries, you can purchase an air safe plug from most mobility shops. This simply plugs in the charging socket and makes the device safe for travel. 

Should damage not caused by the passenger occur to mobility equipment during transit, arrangements will be made for a temporary replacement on arrival, albeit not necessarily on a like for like basis. Wheelchairs, ramps and ambulift transport is available from our Assisted Travel team.

Hidden Disabilities

At Leeds Bradford Airport we recognise that travelling through the airport can be stressful and for passengers with hidden disabilities this can be a significant challenge.

Invisible disabilities - or hidden disabilities - are not immediately apparent. Some people with visual or hearing difficulties who do not wear glasses or hearing aids may not be obviously disabled. Similarly, people with conditions such as dementia, mental health or autism may not appear to have a disability.

Hidden Disability Lanyard Scheme

We offer passengers a lanyard to act as an optional opportunity to provide you with a discreet sign which demonstrates to airport staff that you may need additional support or help as you travel through the airport.

This could simply mean:

  • Giving you more time to prepare at check-in and security
  • Allowing you to remain with your family through the journey i.e. security, passport control, boarding/disembarking your aircraft
  • Giving you a more comprehensive briefing on what to expect as you travel through the airport
  • Helping you navigate your way around i.e. reading a departure board or sign

This is an optional assistance method for passengers with hidden disabilities - it will not give you any level of priority or fast track opportunities during your journey through the airport, however teams operating in busy environments such as security and immigration will be aware of what they can do to assist you.

Finally, remember you can use your lanyard on your return to Leeds Bradford Airport.

You can collect the lanyard from a member of staff by the main entrance.

Autism Awareness

Airports can be a busy place to travel through and for those passengers with autism we understand that this experience can be especially stressful. With the assistance of Leeds Autism Services, we have produced a guide to assist you on your day of travel. The journey covers various stages that you will go through including tips on what to pack within your hand luggage, your journey to the airport, check in, security and boarding the aircraft. 

Read or print the guide here. If you do not have access to a printer, please contact us and we will post a copy to you.

Policies

Access to Air Travel for Disabled Persons & Persons with Reduced Mobility 

Leeds Bradford Airport Quality Standards

Consulting with Local Disability Groups

Leeds Bradford Airport is committed to engage with local disability groups, for more information please click here.

Click here to view Leeds Bradford Airport Assisted Travel 6 Monthly report Apr-Sep 2024.

Feedback

The Civil Aviation Authority, in co-operation with UK airports, also collects feedback on the quality of the assistance provided to passengers with reduced mobility. We’d be grateful if you have used our service to give your valued feedback here www.surveymonkey.com/s/PRMUK.

If you would like to provide feedback on our Assisted Travelservice directly, you can Contact Us.

Click here to view Leeds Bradford Airport Quality Standards Performance 2023- 2024.  

Click here to view Leeds Bradford Airport Quality Standards Performance 2022- 2023.

Click here to view Leeds Bradford Airport Quality Standards Performance 2021-2022.  

Click here to view Leeds Bradford Airport Quality Standards Performance 2020-2021.  

Click here to view Leeds Bradford Airport Quality Standards Performance 2019-2020.  

More Information

Packing your luggage

Checking in
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