Accessibility
Appleton (ATW) Airport Accessibility & Wheelchair Services
Wheelchair assistance at Appleton International Airport is provided free by your airline — request it at booking for best results. For security screening help, call TSA Cares at 1-855-787-2227 at least 72 hours before travel to have a Passenger Support Specialist waiting at the checkpoint. Family lanes, service animal relief areas, and sensory rooms are covered below.
Airline-provided service
Wheelchair assistance
Request wheelchair assistance through your airline at booking or at the check-in counter; the airport's own FAQ confirms wheelchairs and gate-escort assistance are available for passengers who need them.
Tip: request at booking rather than at the airport — airline wheelchair assistants are in higher demand at peak times and early requests are filled first.
TSA Cares
Free security screening assistance
TSA Cares is a free helpline and on-site assistance program for travelers with disabilities, medical conditions, or other circumstances that may affect the security screening process.
How to use: Call 1-855-787-2227 at least 72 hours before travel. A Passenger Support Specialist will meet you at the ATW security checkpoint and guide you through screening at no charge.
Request a TSA Passenger Support Specialist to assist you through the security screening process. Call the TSA Cares helpline at 1-855-787-2227 at least 72 hours before you fly, or submit a request at tsa.gov/contact-center/form/cares.
Security lanes
ATW does not have a permanently signed dedicated family lane at all checkpoints. Ask any TSA agent at the checkpoint for assistance — agents are trained to help travelers with special needs and can route you around standard queue lines.
Service animal relief areas
A dedicated Pet Relief Area with waste bags and artificial turf is located outside baggage claim (post-arrival, landside).
Note: service animals are permitted throughout all airport areas without restriction. Emotional support animals follow individual airline policies — check with your carrier before travel.
Quiet and sensory room
Quiet/sensory room available — ATW has both a post-security Sensory Room — a calm space with soft lighting and soothing features for travelers with sensory sensitivities — and a separate Quiet Room for private relaxation, meditation, or prayer. The airport also offers an 'Airport Social Story' video walkthrough and participates in the Wings for Autism rehearsal-flight program; ask any airport information point for room access.
Wheelchair and mobility device rentals
The airport does not advertise a dedicated mobility-scooter rental counter; wheelchairs are provided as an assistance service (via your airline or airport staff) rather than a rental program. Request wheelchair assistance ahead of travel through your airline.
Motorized scooters and power wheelchairs are generally available from airlines for gate-to-gate use; contact your carrier directly if you need a motorized device beyond a standard transport chair.
Pro Tip
ATW also stocks Sunflower lanyards (in the Mother's Rooms) for travelers with hidden disabilities who want to discreetly signal they may need extra support or time, plus an Adult Changing Room with a sink and adult-sized changing table, and hearing-loop technology near Gates 5–10 for telecoil hearing aid/implant users.
Frequently asked questions
Is wheelchair assistance free at ATW airport?
Yes — wheelchair assistance at ATW is provided free of charge by your airline or their contracted ground handler. Request it at booking or check-in. The airline arranges and covers the cost; no tipping is required, though it is appreciated.
How do I contact TSA Cares before my flight from ATW?
Call TSA Cares at 1-855-787-2227 at least 72 hours before your flight. The helpline is open weekdays 8 a.m.–11 p.m. ET and weekends/holidays 9 a.m.–8 p.m. ET. You can also submit a request online at tsa.gov/contact-center/form/cares. A Passenger Support Specialist will meet you at the ATW security checkpoint at no cost.
Does ATW airport have a family security lane?
Appleton International Airport does not have a permanently signed dedicated family lane at all checkpoints, but TSA officers are trained to accommodate travelers who need extra time. ATW's own site does not advertise a dedicated family/special-assistance security lane — it operates a single, centrally located checkpoint. Ask any TSA officer for accommodation if you're traveling with small children or need extra time; the checkpoint's low overall traffic (a single small-airport lane) generally makes this manageable without a separate lane.
Where is the service animal relief area at ATW airport?
A dedicated Pet Relief Area with waste bags and artificial turf is located outside baggage claim (post-arrival, landside). Service animals are permitted throughout all airport areas without restriction. Emotional support animals follow your individual airline's policies.
See also: ATW TSA PreCheck lanes · Flying with disabilities guide · ATW security tips
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