Accessibility
Wilmington (ILM) Airport Accessibility & Wheelchair Services
Wheelchair assistance at Wilmington 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 from your airline in advance of your flight or at the ticket counter; ramps are installed throughout the terminal.
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 ILM 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 travel, or submit a request at tsa.gov/contact-center/form/cares, to arrange a Passenger Support Specialist to meet you at ILM's checkpoint.
Security lanes
ILM 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 designated pet relief areas serve the main terminal — one outside the Main Terminal entrance (pre-security) and one just beyond the security checkpoint (post-security); a third relief area is outside the separate International/GA Terminal.
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
ILM does not currently have a confirmed public sensory room. ILM does not have a dedicated sensory room. Travelers who need a quiet space should ask any staff member or the Information Desk just inside the Main Terminal Entrance for direction to a lower-traffic area of the terminal.
Wheelchair and mobility device rentals
Not offered as a rental program; wheelchairs are provided free on request through your airline rather than rented on-site.
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
ILM is compact and staffed with a visible Information Desk just inside the Main Terminal Entrance doors — for any accessibility need, that desk (or the nearest staff member) is faster to reach than searching for a dedicated service point, unlike at larger airports.
Frequently asked questions
Is wheelchair assistance free at ILM airport?
Yes — wheelchair assistance at ILM 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 ILM?
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 ILM security checkpoint at no cost.
Does ILM airport have a family security lane?
Wilmington 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. ILM's official accessibility page does not list a dedicated family/special-assistance security lane. With only one main checkpoint at this small airport, ask any TSA officer on duty for extra time or assistance if needed.
Where is the service animal relief area at ILM airport?
Two designated pet relief areas serve the main terminal — one outside the Main Terminal entrance (pre-security) and one just beyond the security checkpoint (post-security); a third relief area is outside the separate International/GA Terminal. Service animals are permitted throughout all airport areas without restriction. Emotional support animals follow your individual airline's policies.
See also: ILM TSA PreCheck lanes · Flying with disabilities guide · ILM security tips
Know exactly when to leave for the airport
The Leave-By Time calculator folds the live ILM TSA wait, real-time drive time from your door, and gate-walk distance into one exact time to leave home — no guesswork.
Calculate my Leave-By Time →