Accessibility
Burlington (BTV) Airport Accessibility & Wheelchair Services
Wheelchair assistance at Patrick Leahy Burlington 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; curbside and gate-to-gate assistance is coordinated by airline ground staff, since BTV does not run a separate airport-wide assistance service of its own.
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 BTV security checkpoint and guide you through screening at no charge.
Call 1-855-787-2227 at least 72 hours before your flight, or submit a request at tsa.gov/travel/passenger-support, to arrange for a Passenger Support Specialist to meet you at either the North or South checkpoint.
Security lanes
BTV 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 designated pet/service-animal relief area is on the second level of the terminal, past security; a second relief area is near the main terminal entrance, before security.
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
BTV does not currently have a confirmed public sensory room. BTV does not have a dedicated sensory room. The airport participates in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, which provides a lanyard signaling a non-visible disability to staff — request one in advance via the airport's online Sunflower lanyard-request form (allow up to two weeks for delivery). The mezzanine seating area and the rocking-chair Skyway are lower-traffic spots if you need a calmer space in the meantime.
Wheelchair and mobility device rentals
No independent wheelchair/mobility-device rental counter is advertised at BTV; wheelchairs are provided free through your airline's disability-assistance service. Call the Airport Business Office at (802) 863-2874 with questions.
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
BTV is small, single-level for security, and low-congestion, which makes it one of the easier US airports to navigate with mobility needs — but because it lacks some big-airport accommodations (no dedicated family lane, no sensory room), request airline wheelchair assistance and, if needed, a Sunflower lanyard well ahead of your trip.
Frequently asked questions
Is wheelchair assistance free at BTV airport?
Yes — wheelchair assistance at BTV 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 BTV?
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 BTV security checkpoint at no cost.
Does BTV airport have a family security lane?
Patrick Leahy Burlington 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. BTV operates two standard checkpoints (North and South) rather than a dedicated family/special-assistance lane; ask any TSA officer at either checkpoint and they will accommodate families or passengers needing extra time.
Where is the service animal relief area at BTV airport?
A designated pet/service-animal relief area is on the second level of the terminal, past security; a second relief area is near the main terminal entrance, before security. Service animals are permitted throughout all airport areas without restriction. Emotional support animals follow your individual airline's policies.
See also: BTV TSA PreCheck lanes · Flying with disabilities guide · BTV security tips
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