Accessibility

San Jose (SJC) Airport Accessibility & Wheelchair Services

Wheelchair assistance at Norman Y. Mineta San Jose 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

SJC does not run its own wheelchair service — assistance must be pre-arranged through your airline, per the airport's own accessible-services page ("You should pre-arrange wheelchair assistance through your airline"). Contact your airline at booking or at least 48 hours before departure. All airport shuttle buses connecting Terminal A and Terminal B are wheelchair accessible.

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 SJC security checkpoint and guide you through screening at no charge.

Call 855-787-2227, email TSA-ContactCenter@tsa.dhs.gov, or submit a request at tsa.gov/contact-center/form/cares at least 72 hours before travel. A trained Passenger Support Specialist meets travelers at the Terminal A or Terminal B checkpoint and guides them through screening (not around it). SJC also participates in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard program at check-in counters and information booths, so staff can discreetly identify travelers who need extra time or support.

Security lanes

SJC 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

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

SJC does not currently have a confirmed public sensory room. SJC does not yet have an open sensory room. The airport, Nutanix, and the Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose are building "The Nest by Nutanix," an 800+ sq ft sensory-friendly space between Terminal A and B across from Gate 17, with calming textures, visuals, and sounds for neurodivergent travelers; it is under construction and expected to open Winter 2026. Until then, request a TSA Cares Passenger Support Specialist or ask any information booth for a quiet accommodation.

Wheelchair and mobility device rentals

SJC has no on-site wheelchair or scooter rental counter; in-terminal wheelchair assistance is arranged through your airline (see wheelchairRequest). For a personal mobility device to use before or after your flight, third-party delivery services such as Cloud of Goods (San Jose-area scooter and wheelchair rentals, roughly $12/day) can deliver to the airport or a nearby hotel.

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 wheelchair service at SJC is airline-run rather than airport-run, confirm your request directly with your airline both at booking and again at check-in — airport staff cannot add or expedite a wheelchair request on their own. If you have a non-visible disability, ask for a Sunflower lanyard at any check-in counter or information booth.

Frequently asked questions

Is wheelchair assistance free at SJC airport?

Yes — wheelchair assistance at SJC 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 SJC?

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 SJC security checkpoint at no cost.

Does SJC airport have a family security lane?

Norman Y. Mineta San Jose 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. SJC does not advertise a dedicated family/special-assistance security lane at either terminal checkpoint. Strollers, car seats, and diaper bags are permitted through screening, and TSA officers are used to assisting families — ask any officer for help, or arrange a TSA Cares Passenger Support Specialist in advance for guaranteed extra assistance.

Where is the service animal relief area at SJC airport?

Two relief areas before security — outside Terminal A (north of ticketing) and outside Terminal B (north of ticketing) — plus one after security in the passenger walkway between Gates 16 and 17, which connects both terminals. All are outdoors or semi-outdoors with synthetic grass, waste bags, trash cans, and water. Service animals are permitted throughout all airport areas without restriction. Emotional support animals follow your individual airline's policies.

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