Accessibility
Birmingham (BHM) Airport Accessibility & Wheelchair Services
Wheelchair assistance at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth 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 when booking or through your airline; skycaps are stationed curbside on the upper (departures) level and at baggage claim to assist passengers with disabilities and direct them to their 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 BHM security checkpoint and guide you through screening at no charge.
A TSA Passenger Support Specialist can meet you at the checkpoint and walk you through screening. Call 1-855-787-2227 at least 72 hours before travel or submit a request at tsa.gov/contact-center/form/cares.
Security lanes
BHM 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
Lower level of the terminal — exit through Door 4L and turn right to the grass relief area facing the FAA control tower (landside, pre-security). Service animals need identification/paperwork; other pets must be crated.
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 — A dedicated sensory room for travelers with autism and sensory sensitivities features a bubbling water wall, tactile activity panels, and bean bag seating; ask at the Information Desk for current access details.
Wheelchair and mobility device rentals
No dedicated wheelchair-rental counter is advertised; request wheelchair assistance through your airline or a skycap and airport staff will provide a wheelchair for use within the terminal.
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
BHM is a small, single-checkpoint airport, so accessibility logistics are simpler than at a hub. Telecommunications devices for the deaf are available on the lower level between baggage claims, and visual paging for hearing-impaired travelers runs through the Information Desk (205-599-0500) — use that same desk as your single point of contact for any accommodation.
Frequently asked questions
Is wheelchair assistance free at BHM airport?
Yes — wheelchair assistance at BHM 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 BHM?
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 BHM security checkpoint at no cost.
Does BHM airport have a family security lane?
Birmingham-Shuttlesworth 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. BHM screens all passengers through a single central checkpoint rather than a separate family/special-assistance lane; tell any TSA officer at the checkpoint you need accompanied or unhurried screening and they will route you accordingly.
Where is the service animal relief area at BHM airport?
Lower level of the terminal — exit through Door 4L and turn right to the grass relief area facing the FAA control tower (landside, pre-security). Service animals need identification/paperwork; other pets must be crated. Service animals are permitted throughout all airport areas without restriction. Emotional support animals follow your individual airline's policies.
See also: BHM TSA PreCheck lanes · Flying with disabilities guide · BHM security tips
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