Accessibility

Hartford (BDL) Airport Accessibility & Wheelchair Services

Wheelchair assistance at Bradley 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

Wheelchair service is handled entirely by your airline, not the airport. Departing passengers should request assistance at booking or check in at the skycap podium/ticket counter on the departures level; arriving passengers who requested assistance in advance will find a wheelchair waiting at the gate.

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

A TSA Cares Passenger Support Specialist can meet you at the checkpoint and guide you through screening. Call the TSA Cares helpline at 1-855-787-2227 at least 72 hours before travel, or submit a request through TSA's online contact form.

Security lanes

BDL 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

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

BDL does not currently have a confirmed public sensory room. BDL does not list a dedicated sensory or quiet room. Travelers with hidden disabilities can request a free Sunflower Lanyard at the airport's information center to discreetly signal they may need extra time or patience, and can contact Airport Operations at (860) 627-3001 for terminal-related accommodation requests within 48 hours of travel (or the ADA Coordinator at rtenny@ctairports.org / (860) 292-2044 for requests made further in advance).

Wheelchair and mobility device rentals

BDL does not publish a dedicated wheelchair or mobility-scooter rental service; wheelchair assistance is provided free through your airline. Luggage cart dispensers (not mobility devices) are available on the baggage claim level for $6, with a $0.25 rebate on return.

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

Because BDL is one small terminal, most accessibility needs are handled directly by your airline at the skycap podium or ticket counter rather than through airport infrastructure — download the free GoodMaps app before you fly for turn-by-turn indoor audio and visual navigation to your gate, restroom, or relief area.

Frequently asked questions

Is wheelchair assistance free at BDL airport?

Yes — wheelchair assistance at BDL 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 BDL?

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 BDL security checkpoint at no cost.

Does BDL airport have a family security lane?

Bradley 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. BDL's published accessibility information does not list a dedicated family/special-assistance security lane. Use the main TSA checkpoint in the departures-level lobby (the second checkpoint, near the United ticket counter, is reserved for TSA PreCheck/CLEAR only) and ask any TSA officer for help if you're traveling with strollers, small children, or need extra time.

Where is the service animal relief area at BDL airport?

One indoor relief area is inside Terminal A, in the hallway adjacent to the iStore (post-security, near Gates 1-12). Two additional outdoor relief areas are on the lower level at either end of the terminal building. Service animals are permitted throughout all airport areas without restriction. Emotional support animals follow your individual airline's policies.

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