Accessibility
Fairbanks (FAI) Airport Accessibility & Wheelchair Services
Wheelchair assistance at Fairbanks 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; because FAI is a single small terminal with no moving walkways or trains, airline staff handle wheelchair assistance directly from curbside or the ticket counter to the 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 FAI security checkpoint and guide you through screening at no charge.
A TSA Passenger Support Specialist can meet you at FAI's single checkpoint and assist with screening. Call the TSA Cares helpline at 1-855-787-2227 at least 72 hours before travel, or submit a request at tsa.gov/contact-center/form/cares.
Security lanes
FAI 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 relief area is in front of the terminal, across the roadway in the landscaped 'rock garden' area, with waste bags provided; there is no confirmed dedicated post-security relief area, so plan to relieve service animals before heading through the single checkpoint.
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
FAI does not currently have a confirmed public sensory room. FAI does not have a confirmed dedicated sensory/quiet room. Travelers who need a low-stimulation space should contact FAI's ADA office in advance at fai.ada@alaska.gov or (907) 474-2582 to arrange accommodations.
Wheelchair and mobility device rentals
No dedicated on-site wheelchair or mobility-device rental program is confirmed at FAI; airline-provided wheelchairs are available on request for gate-to-gate movement, and travelers needing a personal mobility device for the wider Fairbanks area should arrange rental with a medical-equipment supplier in town before arrival.
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
FAI's small, single-floor gate area (one checkpoint, two adjoining concourses, no long walks) makes it one of the easier airports to navigate with mobility limitations — the main planning point is requesting airline wheelchair assistance and any ADA accommodations ahead of time, since on-site options are limited compared to a major hub.
Frequently asked questions
Is wheelchair assistance free at FAI airport?
Yes — wheelchair assistance at FAI 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 FAI?
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 FAI security checkpoint at no cost.
Does FAI airport have a family security lane?
Fairbanks 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. FAI has only one TSA checkpoint and no dedicated family/special-assistance lane is advertised; travelers needing extra time or accommodation should tell any TSA officer at the checkpoint, or arrange TSA Cares assistance in advance.
Where is the service animal relief area at FAI airport?
A designated pet relief area is in front of the terminal, across the roadway in the landscaped 'rock garden' area, with waste bags provided; there is no confirmed dedicated post-security relief area, so plan to relieve service animals before heading through the single checkpoint. Service animals are permitted throughout all airport areas without restriction. Emotional support animals follow your individual airline's policies.
See also: FAI TSA PreCheck lanes · Flying with disabilities guide · FAI security tips
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