Accessibility
Philadelphia (PHL) Airport Accessibility & Wheelchair Services
Wheelchair assistance at Philadelphia 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 at booking (or at least 48 hours ahead) and confirm again at check-in. PHL's wheelchair service is split among three contracted providers by airline: Prospect Airport Services (267-737-1701) handles American/American Eagle, United, Spirit, Frontier, JetBlue, Air Canada, Aer Lingus, British Airways, and Lufthansa; Prime Flight handles Southwest, Sun Country, and Alaska; Unifi (484-250-8228) handles Delta. If no one arrives within about 10 minutes of an in-airport request, ask any agent to page code 6937 for wheelchair assistance.
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 PHL security checkpoint and guide you through screening at no charge.
TSA Cares provides a Passenger Support Specialist to guide travelers with disabilities, medical conditions, or other special circumstances through screening. Call 1-855-787-2227 at least 72 hours before travel (or submit a request via the online form at tsa.gov) — approved travelers enter through the designated wheelchair-accessible checkpoint lane and check in at the Transportation Document Checker podium.
Security lanes
Family lane available
TSA's national 'Families on the Fly' program applies at PHL checkpoints: families with children 12 and under are not separated, PreCheck members may bring children into the PreCheck lane, and TSA officers assist with strollers/car seats/belongings. PHL does not publicly signpost a separate physical 'family lane' the way some hubs do — ask any TSA officer at the checkpoint for family-friendly screening if you need it.
Service animal relief areas
Seven relief areas are spread across the terminals: Terminal A-West (between Gates A15/A16, and across from Gate A17 near the restrooms), Terminal A-East (near the shuttle stop), the B/C connector (between B/C ticketing and the Airport Communications Center), and areas after Terminal E and after Terminal F. A permanent, purpose-built relief area with a basin, faux fire hydrant, waste bags, hand-washing station, and phone-charging outlets is located near Gate D3. Pre-security/outdoor relief areas are also available on the Departing Flights Roadway and at the Arrivals-side bag claim curbs for Terminals A-East, B, and E.
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 — PHL's Quiet Room, in the D/E Connector, is open 24/7/365 to any passenger needing a low-stimulation break — it's a 315-sq-ft space with two semi-private areas separated by frosted glass, wooden benches, and a circular rug. Note this is a general quiet/meditation room rather than a dedicated multisensory room with tactile equipment (no ball pit or sensory panels like some larger hubs offer); it is the airport's confirmed answer for sensory decompression.
Wheelchair and mobility device rentals
PHL does not operate its own in-terminal wheelchair/scooter rental counter — wheelchair assistance through the airport is provided free via your airline's contracted service (see wheelchairRequest). For a personal mobility scooter or wheelchair to keep with you in the city or for extended airport use, third-party services such as Scootaround (1-888-441-7575) offer delivery/pickup in the Philadelphia area, including the airport.
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
Because PHL splits wheelchair service across three separate contractors by airline, confirm which company serves your specific carrier before you fly — if a request is delayed inside the airport, paging code 6937 gets a faster response than waiting at the gate.
Frequently asked questions
Is wheelchair assistance free at PHL airport?
Yes — wheelchair assistance at PHL 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 PHL?
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 PHL security checkpoint at no cost.
Does PHL airport have a family security lane?
Yes — Philadelphia International Airport has a dedicated family and special-assistance security lane. TSA's national 'Families on the Fly' program applies at PHL checkpoints: families with children 12 and under are not separated, PreCheck members may bring children into the PreCheck lane, and TSA officers assist with strollers/car seats/belongings. PHL does not publicly signpost a separate physical 'family lane' the way some hubs do — ask any TSA officer at the checkpoint for family-friendly screening if you need it.
Where is the service animal relief area at PHL airport?
Seven relief areas are spread across the terminals: Terminal A-West (between Gates A15/A16, and across from Gate A17 near the restrooms), Terminal A-East (near the shuttle stop), the B/C connector (between B/C ticketing and the Airport Communications Center), and areas after Terminal E and after Terminal F. A permanent, purpose-built relief area with a basin, faux fire hydrant, waste bags, hand-washing station, and phone-charging outlets is located near Gate D3. Pre-security/outdoor relief areas are also available on the Departing Flights Roadway and at the Arrivals-side bag claim curbs for Terminals A-East, B, and E. Service animals are permitted throughout all airport areas without restriction. Emotional support animals follow your individual airline's policies.
See also: PHL TSA PreCheck lanes · Flying with disabilities guide · PHL security tips
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