Accessibility
Harrisburg (MDT) Airport Accessibility & Wheelchair Services
Wheelchair assistance at Harrisburg 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 when booking or at the ticket counter during check-in; airline staff and skycaps near the first-floor ticket counters provide escort and transport 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 MDT 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 your flight, or submit a request at tsa.gov/travel/special-procedures; a Passenger Support Specialist can meet you at the checkpoint to help guide you through screening.
Security lanes
MDT 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
HIA does not publish a designated pet/service-animal relief area on its website. Ask airport or airline staff for the nearest option on arrival, or plan to use the grassy landside areas outside the terminal curb before heading through security.
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
MDT does not currently have a confirmed public sensory room. HIA does not advertise a dedicated sensory/quiet room. If you need a calm space, ask airport staff or call police dispatch at 717-948-3501 ahead of your trip to arrange accommodations.
Wheelchair and mobility device rentals
HIA does not operate an on-site wheelchair/scooter rental counter. Wheelchairs are provided free through your airline for the duration of your visit; local third-party companies such as Cloud of Goods can deliver a rental mobility scooter to the airport with advance arrangement.
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
MDT is a small single-terminal airport with no long concourse walks and no train to navigate, so accessibility logistics are simpler than at a large hub — request wheelchair assistance with your airline in advance, and skycaps at the first-floor ticket counters can help right away. Call 717-948-3501 for parking-garage assistance.
Frequently asked questions
Is wheelchair assistance free at MDT airport?
Yes — wheelchair assistance at MDT 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 MDT?
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 MDT security checkpoint at no cost.
Does MDT airport have a family security lane?
Harrisburg 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. HIA does not publicize a dedicated family/special-assistance security lane; ask any TSA officer at the checkpoint for extra time or a modified process if you need it.
Where is the service animal relief area at MDT airport?
HIA does not publish a designated pet/service-animal relief area on its website. Ask airport or airline staff for the nearest option on arrival, or plan to use the grassy landside areas outside the terminal curb before heading through security. Service animals are permitted throughout all airport areas without restriction. Emotional support animals follow your individual airline's policies.
See also: MDT TSA PreCheck lanes · Flying with disabilities guide · MDT security tips
Know exactly when to leave for the airport
The Leave-By Time calculator folds the live MDT 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 →