Accessibility
Grand Rapids (GRR) Airport Accessibility & Wheelchair Services
Wheelchair assistance at Gerald R. Ford 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 on arrival call the airport's contracted provider, Prospect Airport Services, at (616) 550-7643; you can also ask at your airline's ticket counter, the Visitor Information Desk in baggage claim, or request a page for a Passenger Service Assistant from a curb-front security officer.
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 GRR security checkpoint and guide you through screening at no charge.
Call the TSA Cares toll-free hotline, 1-855-787-2227, at least 72 hours before you travel, or submit an online request at tsa.gov/contact-center/form/cares, and a Passenger Support Specialist can meet you at the checkpoint to help navigate screening.
Security lanes
GRR 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
Pre-security relief area at the west end of the terminal curb — wheelchair-accessible, with Mutt Mitts, trash cans, and benches. Post-security relief area on Concourse A near Gate A4.
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 — Located at the beginning of Concourse A, GRR's Sensory Room has four zones — Transition, Active, Respite, and an Airplane Simulation area — designed to help travelers with sensory sensitivities or cognitive/developmental disabilities feel comfortable before flying. Enter using the call button at the door.
Wheelchair and mobility device rentals
Wheelchairs are available for guest use at no charge; call Prospect Airport Services at (616) 550-7643 to arrange one in advance, or request one on arrival at the Visitor Information Desk or your airline's counter. Airport shuttle buses (parking lots to terminal) are equipped with wheelchair lifts.
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
GRR also participates in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program — ask at the Visitor Information Desk or the security checkpoint for a free Sunflower lanyard or item if you have a non-visible disability and want staff to recognize you may need extra patience or assistance. A companion-care restroom with an adult changing table is on Concourse A near Gate A8.
Frequently asked questions
Is wheelchair assistance free at GRR airport?
Yes — wheelchair assistance at GRR 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 GRR?
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 GRR security checkpoint at no cost.
Does GRR airport have a family security lane?
Gerald R. Ford 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. GRR does not advertise a dedicated family/special-assistance security lane. Travelers needing extra time or accommodation should tell the TSA officer at the checkpoint; immediate family members can also get a gate pass at the airline ticket counter to accompany a passenger needing help all the way to the gate.
Where is the service animal relief area at GRR airport?
Pre-security relief area at the west end of the terminal curb — wheelchair-accessible, with Mutt Mitts, trash cans, and benches. Post-security relief area on Concourse A near Gate A4. Service animals are permitted throughout all airport areas without restriction. Emotional support animals follow your individual airline's policies.
See also: GRR TSA PreCheck lanes · Flying with disabilities guide · GRR security tips
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