Traveling with personal mobility vehicles can be stressful. These devices are necessary for many people, but traveling with them is a challenge. If you need to transport a mobility scooter on a plane, there are some things to consider, but many people who use these scooters wonder if airlines even allow them onboard.
Airlines do allow mobility scooters, but the scooter is not permitted into the cabin and cannot be brought as a carry-on. All mobility scooters must be checked. All removable batteries must be removed and brought as a carry-on, and the scooter may require special permission from the airline.
Do Airlines Allow Mobility Scooters Onboard?
Mobility scooters are a necessity for some passengers, and it can be challenging to transport one on a plane. The good news is that mobility scooters are permitted on planes, provided the scooter falls within FAA and TSA regulations for such vehicles.
Mobility scooters that are not medically necessary are not permitted on aircraft, but those that are required as medical devices are permitted if they are brought onboard safely.
It is crucial to check with your airline if they permit mobility scooters, what the airline policy regarding mobility scooters is, and what instructions you must follow when traveling with a mobility scooter.
Every airline has its own specific policy regarding mobility scooters, so be sure to inform the airline beforehand if you intend to bring your scooter with you, and be sure to follow all of the instructions provided to you regarding traveling with the scooter.
Mobility scooters are permitted on most airlines, provided they use non-spillable, dry, or lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-metal batteries are not permitted on aircraft. Therefore any mobility scooter that uses these batteries is not permitted onboard.
Any scooter that has removable batteries must have the batteries removed and the terminals covered before boarding. Removable batteries must be kept in individual pouches or carry cases.
If the batteries cannot be removed, the scooter will only be permitted onboard if the scooter has a protective battery compartment that will protect it during transit.
All individual batteries within the scooter or that are carried as extra must be within the limits set by the TSA and FAA regarding power output and capacity. Any batteries that are over 100W must be declared beforehand and require special permission to board the aircraft.
Only one extra batter for the mobility scooter is permitted per person, and all batteries that are removable must be carried within the cabin of the aircraft as carry-on luggage.
Can You Bring A Mobility Scooter Through TSA Checkpoints?
Mobility scooters that are medically necessary are permitted through TSA checkpoints. Mobility scooters that are not necessary are not permitted and are likely to be confiscated at these checkpoints.
All mobility scooters must be physically inspected by TSA agents at TSA checkpoints, and the battery capacity and battery state must be declared to the agent inspecting the scooter.
Any batteries that can be removed must be removed for individual screening, and the scooter itself must be screened separately from other luggage.
The TSA does not prohibit the use or transportation of mobility scooters, but the scooter must be within the regulations laid out by the TSA for electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters, and owners of mobility scooters must conform to all instructions provided by the TSA at the airport.
Can You Bring A Mobility Scooter Through Airport Security?
Airport security has different policies to governmental and federal legislations and regulations and, therefore, may follow different policies regarding mobility scooters.
Every airport has its own mobility scooter policy, and depending on where you are in the world, the scooter may or may not be allowed through security screenings and checkpoints.
Fortunately, most airports do allow the use and transportation of mobility scooters, but every scooter of this type must be physically inspected by security agents at all checkpoints.
You can bring a mobility scooter through airport security, but it is important to follow all guidelines laid out by the airport regarding these vehicles and always be sure that the vehicle is within the regulations laid out by the airport.
Can You Bring A Mobility Scooter As Carry-On?
Mobility scooters cannot be carried as carry-on luggage. According to the regulations on the TSA website, battery-powered mobility scooters are not permitted as carry-on luggage and must always be checked with other luggage.
Most mobility scooters are simply too large and too dangerous to be carried into the cabin of the aircraft, and these vehicles must under no circumstances enter the cabin. This ensures that the scooter will not cause any harm or danger to any passengers or crew.
All removable batteries, however, must be brought as carry-on luggage and must fit within the personal effects of the passenger. These batteries must be stored individually, with their terminals completely covered and protected to prevent shorting.
The airline will provide a manual wheelchair for those who require one, and the cabin crew will assist the passenger in moving around the cabin when necessary.
Can You Bring A Mobility Scooter As Checked Luggage?
You can bring a mobility scooter as checked luggage, so long as the scooter does not use lithium-metal batteries and the scooter adheres to all regulations and rules.
Mobility scooters with removable batteries must have the batteries removed before check-in, and any scooter that has non-removable batteries must have a protective battery compartment to prevent the battery from rupturing.
The scooter must have all battery terminals covered thoroughly to prevent shorting and fires, and the scooter must be able to withstand the conditions within the aircraft’s cargo area.
Are There Any Extra Fees For Mobility Scooters On A Plane?
Mobility scooters are not usually charged any extra luggage fees to be checked on the plane, but they may incur extra weight fees.
If the scooter is above the limited weight restriction for luggage, the airline may charge an extra fee for transporting the scooter, even if it is checked luggage.
For this reason, many mobility scooters sell travel scooters that are lighter than regular mobility scooters to avoid the extra weight fee.
References ▾
- https://mobilitymasters.com/blog/planning-to-travel-with-a-mobility-scooter-on-a-plane/
- https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/battery-powered-wheel-chairs-and-mobility-devices
- https://www.faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe/more_info/?hazmat=25
- https://www.faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe/more_info/?hazmat=34
- https://www.faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe/more_info/?hazmat=7
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