Accessibility
Baltimore (BWI) Airport Accessibility & Wheelchair Services
Wheelchair assistance at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall 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 at booking or at your airline's check-in counter; BWI's single terminal with six concourse piers (A–F) makes ground-team coordination relatively straightforward.
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 BWI security checkpoint and guide you through screening at no charge.
A Passenger Support Specialist will meet you at the checkpoint. Call 1-855-787-2227 at least 72 hours before travel. BWI's single-terminal layout means one call covers the full airport.
Security lanes
BWI 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
Before security at all terminal curbside areas; after security, service animal relief areas are near Pier C and Pier E on the concourse level — ask any BWI staff member.
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
BWI does not currently have a confirmed public sensory room. Contact BWI Guest Services (410-859-7387) for quiet space availability. BWI has interfaith prayer rooms in the terminal.
Wheelchair and mobility device rentals
Available from Guest Services at baggage claim and throughout the main 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
BWI is a primary Southwest Airlines hub, and peak-hour wheelchair queues can be long on Friday afternoons and Monday mornings. Request wheelchair assistance at the time of ticketing and arrive with the extra time BWI's ground handlers recommend for assisted travelers.
Frequently asked questions
Is wheelchair assistance free at BWI airport?
Yes — wheelchair assistance at BWI 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 BWI?
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 BWI security checkpoint at no cost.
Does BWI airport have a family security lane?
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall 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. Ask any TSA officer at the checkpoint for assistance; BWI agents are accessible at all checkpoint lanes throughout the single terminal.
Where is the service animal relief area at BWI airport?
Before security at all terminal curbside areas; after security, service animal relief areas are near Pier C and Pier E on the concourse level — ask any BWI staff member. Service animals are permitted throughout all airport areas without restriction. Emotional support animals follow your individual airline's policies.
See also: BWI TSA PreCheck lanes · Flying with disabilities guide · BWI security tips
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