Accessibility

Columbia (CAE) Airport Accessibility & Wheelchair Services

Wheelchair assistance at Columbia Metropolitan 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

Arrange wheelchair assistance through your airline in advance or at check-in; airline skycaps provide escort and transport service at the front curb of the terminal (skycap contact: 803-822-5002).

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

All security screening at CAE's single checkpoint is accessible to travelers with disabilities and medical conditions. Call the TSA Cares helpline at 1-855-787-2227 at least 72 hours before your flight, or submit a request at tsa.gov/travel/special-procedures.

Security lanes

CAE 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

One designated pet/service animal relief area is located outside of baggage claim, across from the COMET public-transit bus stop (landside, after exiting baggage claim).

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 Sensory Room — a quiet, calming space for travelers with sensory sensitivities or cognitive disabilities — opened just past the TSA checkpoint as part of the terminal's checkpoint-expansion project, alongside a new Business Center and an Interfaith/Meditation Room.

Wheelchair and mobility device rentals

CAE does not advertise a dedicated mobility-device rental counter; wheelchairs are provided free of charge for the duration of your visit through your airline/skycap request rather than as a paid rental.

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 CAE has only one security checkpoint and one small terminal, accessibility logistics are simpler than at a large hub — request wheelchair assistance with your airline ahead of time, and skycaps at the curb can help immediately on arrival without a long walk to a separate assistance desk.

Frequently asked questions

Is wheelchair assistance free at CAE airport?

Yes — wheelchair assistance at CAE 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 CAE?

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 CAE security checkpoint at no cost.

Does CAE airport have a family security lane?

Columbia Metropolitan 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. CAE does not publicize a separate, dedicated family/special-assistance security lane; the airport states its single checkpoint is fully accessible, so ask any TSA officer for accommodation if you need extra time or a different process.

Where is the service animal relief area at CAE airport?

One designated pet/service animal relief area is located outside of baggage claim, across from the COMET public-transit bus stop (landside, after exiting baggage claim). Service animals are permitted throughout all airport areas without restriction. Emotional support animals follow your individual airline's policies.

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