Accessibility

Asheville (AVL) Airport Accessibility & Wheelchair Services

Wheelchair assistance at Asheville Regional 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 from your airline when booking or at the ticket counter; airline-provided wheelchairs are kept in the terminal for passenger use.

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 AVL security checkpoint and guide you through screening at no charge.

Call the TSA Cares helpline at 1-855-787-2227 at least 72 hours before your flight, or submit a request at tsa.gov/contact-center/form/cares, so a Passenger Support Specialist can meet you at AVL's single checkpoint.

Security lanes

AVL 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 pet relief area is located near the north entrance of the terminal, pre-security. For a post-security relief area, ask an airline representative for access once you've cleared the checkpoint.

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

AVL does not currently have a confirmed public sensory room. AVL does not have a dedicated sensory/quiet room. Window seating away from gate crowds in the North Concourse is the closest lower-stimulation option; contact the ADA Coordinator at (828) 209-3759 in advance for any special accommodation.

Wheelchair and mobility device rentals

The airport itself only provides airline wheelchairs — there is no on-site scooter/wheelchair rental counter. Third-party mobility rental companies based nearby, including Cloud of Goods and National Scooter Rentals of Asheville, deliver rental scooters and transport wheelchairs to the airport or your hotel.

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

AVL is mid-construction under the AVL Forward expansion, so accessible routes from parking and the rental car facility to the terminal have shifted more than once — call Guest Services at 828-209-3660 or the ADA Coordinator at (828) 209-3759 ahead of travel for current routing.

Frequently asked questions

Is wheelchair assistance free at AVL airport?

Yes — wheelchair assistance at AVL 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 AVL?

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 AVL security checkpoint at no cost.

Does AVL airport have a family security lane?

Asheville Regional 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. AVL's official accessibility page does not list a dedicated family/special-assistance security lane. With only one TSA checkpoint serving the whole terminal, ask any TSA officer on duty for accommodated screening if needed.

Where is the service animal relief area at AVL airport?

A pet relief area is located near the north entrance of the terminal, pre-security. For a post-security relief area, ask an airline representative for access once you've cleared the checkpoint. Service animals are permitted throughout all airport areas without restriction. Emotional support animals follow your individual airline's policies.

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