Accessibility
Fresno (FAT) Airport Accessibility & Wheelchair Services
Wheelchair assistance at Fresno Yosemite 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 directly through your airline at booking or at the ticket counter — FAT does not run a separate airport-operated wheelchair program, so curbside and gate assistance is coordinated by airline staff.
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 FAT security checkpoint and guide you through screening at no charge.
Call the TSA Cares Helpline at 1-855-787-2227 at least 72 hours before you fly for help with screening questions and what to expect at the checkpoint. It's staffed weekdays 8am–11pm ET and weekends/holidays 9am–8pm ET; travelers who are deaf or hard-of-hearing can use a relay service or email TSA-ContactCenter@dhs.gov.
Security lanes
FAT 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 post-security pet/service-animal relief area is on the terminal's first floor; an escort may be required to reach it — use the courtesy phone near the area to request one. Check with your airline ahead of time on any documentation requirements for traveling with a service animal or pet.
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
FAT does not currently have a confirmed public sensory room. FAT does not have a dedicated sensory room. The closest thing is the post-security Arts Lounge, a lower-key seating area built around rotating local art exhibits, or the pre-security Companion Care Restroom for a private, caregiver-assisted break. Info Center volunteers in the main lobby (559-621-4500) can also help direct you to a calmer spot on request.
Wheelchair and mobility device rentals
No dedicated wheelchair or scooter rental kiosk is listed on the airport's site — mobility assistance runs through your airline (request at booking or the ticket counter) rather than an on-site rental service.
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
FAT is a compact single-terminal airport with one security checkpoint, so accessibility needs are handled directly by airline staff and Airport Public Safety rather than by dedicated airport accessibility infrastructure — call ahead (your airline for wheelchair requests, 559-621-4500 for anything airport-side) since there's no large multi-department accessibility office to fall back on if something is missed.
Frequently asked questions
Is wheelchair assistance free at FAT airport?
Yes — wheelchair assistance at FAT 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 FAT?
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 FAT security checkpoint at no cost.
Does FAT airport have a family security lane?
Fresno Yosemite 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. FAT screens all passengers through one single security checkpoint (expanded to a 13,000-sq-ft, five-lane facility including a dedicated TSA PreCheck lane in April 2025) rather than offering a separate family/special-assistance lane — ask any TSA officer at the checkpoint and they will accommodate families or travelers needing extra time.
Where is the service animal relief area at FAT airport?
A post-security pet/service-animal relief area is on the terminal's first floor; an escort may be required to reach it — use the courtesy phone near the area to request one. Check with your airline ahead of time on any documentation requirements for traveling with a service animal or pet. Service animals are permitted throughout all airport areas without restriction. Emotional support animals follow your individual airline's policies.
See also: FAT TSA PreCheck lanes · Flying with disabilities guide · FAT security tips
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