Accessibility
Cleveland (CLE) Airport Accessibility & Wheelchair Services
Wheelchair assistance at Cleveland Hopkins 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
Arrange wheelchair assistance directly through your airline in advance; ground-handling providers Huntleigh, PrimeFlight Aviation Services, ABM, and Prospect Airport Services staff CLE's gates. On arrival, assistance covers gate to Baggage Claim and the curb; on departure, skycaps help with baggage and travelers can request help with check-in, ticketing, and movement to the gate when booking.
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 CLE security checkpoint and guide you through screening at no charge.
Call TSA Cares at 1-855-787-2227 at least 72 hours before you fly, or submit a request through the TSA Cares web form (tsa.gov/contact-center/form/cares); a Passenger Support Specialist can meet you at the checkpoint. CLE's own accessibility page points travelers to TSA's national passenger-support guidance rather than running a separate CLE-branded program.
Security lanes
CLE 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
Two locations: an airside pet/service-animal relief area on the Main Concourse between the North and Central checkpoints, and a landside area outside Baggage Claim near Carousel 1. Both have waste bags and a trash receptacle.
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
CLE does not currently have a confirmed public sensory room. CLE has no dedicated sensory or quiet room, but its Hopkins Flight School program (part of the Hopkins Hospitality initiative) gives nervous flyers and sensory-sensitive passengers a practice pre-flight run at the gate plus a complimentary sensory toolkit. Ask at the pre-security Information Desk or the Welcome Center at Baggage Claim to join.
Wheelchair and mobility device rentals
No in-terminal wheelchair/scooter rental counter; airline-arranged wheelchair service is free and covers the full journey through the airport. For a personal mobility scooter, Cleveland-area companies (e.g., CleMobility, Cloud of Goods, HandiVan Rentals) offer airport delivery and pickup if arranged in advance.
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
Pick up a free Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard or bracelet at the pre-security Information Desk or the Baggage Claim Welcome Center — it discreetly signals to staff that you may need extra time or support, and pairs well with a TSA Cares request made 72 hours ahead.
Frequently asked questions
Is wheelchair assistance free at CLE airport?
Yes — wheelchair assistance at CLE 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 CLE?
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 CLE security checkpoint at no cost.
Does CLE airport have a family security lane?
Cleveland Hopkins 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. CLE does not advertise a dedicated family/special-assistance security lane. The airport instead notes that every one of its three checkpoints (Central, South, North) is wheelchair accessible — ask any TSA officer for extra-time or expedited screening, especially if you've already called TSA Cares ahead of time.
Where is the service animal relief area at CLE airport?
Two locations: an airside pet/service-animal relief area on the Main Concourse between the North and Central checkpoints, and a landside area outside Baggage Claim near Carousel 1. Both have waste bags and a trash receptacle. Service animals are permitted throughout all airport areas without restriction. Emotional support animals follow your individual airline's policies.
See also: CLE TSA PreCheck lanes · Flying with disabilities guide · CLE security tips
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