Accessibility
South Bend (SBN) Airport Accessibility & Wheelchair Services
Wheelchair assistance at South Bend 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 at the ticket counter; airline and airport staff provide wheelchairs and escort service from curb or ticket counter 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 SBN security checkpoint and guide you through screening at no charge.
Call 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 SBN's single security checkpoint and guide you through screening.
Security lanes
SBN 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 designated pet/service animal relief area (shaded artificial turf, leash required) is located post-security in the terminal near Gate 2.
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
SBN does not currently have a confirmed public sensory room. SBN does not have a dedicated sensory or quiet room. Contact the Airport Information Office at (574) 282-4590 ahead of travel to ask about a quieter waiting space, or use TSA Cares to arrange a calmer, slower-paced screening experience.
Wheelchair and mobility device rentals
The airport provides wheelchairs for in-terminal use on request via your airline or gate agent; there is no independent on-site mobility-scooter rental counter. Third-party services such as Cloud of Goods offer wheelchair and scooter rental with local delivery in the South Bend area for travelers who need a personal device for their whole trip.
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
Download the free GoodMaps app before you fly — SBN was the first airport in Indiana to offer this indoor-navigation tool, with audio guidance, step-free routing (avoiding stairs/escalators), and directions in 18 languages to restrooms, gates, and the pet relief area.
Frequently asked questions
Is wheelchair assistance free at SBN airport?
Yes — wheelchair assistance at SBN 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 SBN?
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 SBN security checkpoint at no cost.
Does SBN airport have a family security lane?
South Bend 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. SBN has one security checkpoint serving all passengers rather than a separate dedicated family/special-assistance lane; ask any TSA officer at the checkpoint for additional help or a slower-paced screening — the airport's low passenger volume keeps wait times minimal regardless of lane.
Where is the service animal relief area at SBN airport?
A designated pet/service animal relief area (shaded artificial turf, leash required) is located post-security in the terminal near Gate 2. Service animals are permitted throughout all airport areas without restriction. Emotional support animals follow your individual airline's policies.
See also: SBN TSA PreCheck lanes · Flying with disabilities guide · SBN security tips
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