Accessibility
St. Louis (STL) Airport Accessibility & Wheelchair Services
Wheelchair assistance at St. Louis Lambert 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 in advance of travel (at booking or by calling ahead); airlines provide free wheelchair assistance at terminal curbside along with sighted guides and skycaps. The airport itself does not provide wheelchairs — mobility assistance is arranged through the airline.
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 STL security checkpoint and guide you through screening at no charge.
Call TSA Cares at 1-855-787-2227 at least 72 hours before your flight to ask about screening policies and procedures. On-site Passenger Support Specialists are also available — ask any TSA officer or supervisor at the checkpoint for on-the-spot assistance.
Security lanes
STL 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
Six designated relief areas: Terminal 1 exterior near Exit 6, Concourse A near gate A16, Concourse C near gate C24, Terminal 2 exterior near Exit 10, and Terminal 2 Concourse E near gates E4 and E40 — the concourse locations are indoor, turf-covered relief spaces.
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
STL does not currently have a confirmed public sensory room. STL does not have a dedicated sensory/quiet room. For sensory-related accommodation, contact the Information/Paging Booth at (314) 890-1333 (staffed daily 7am–11pm) or the airport's ADA Coordinator, Sandra Dressel, at (314) 426-8094, ahead of travel.
Wheelchair and mobility device rentals
The airport does not rent wheelchairs directly — loaner wheelchairs and powered-chair transport are arranged through your airline (request at booking or curbside). For rentals beyond airport use, off-site companies such as United Access (314-292-5150) and Wheelchair Getaways of Missouri (314-781-0663) serve the St. Louis area.
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
STL's Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are separate buildings about a mile apart with no indoor connection — if your trip involves a terminal transfer (e.g., connecting between a Terminal 1 airline and Southwest in Terminal 2), tell your airline in advance so wheelchair or cart transport can be arranged for the outdoor transfer.
Frequently asked questions
Is wheelchair assistance free at STL airport?
Yes — wheelchair assistance at STL 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 STL?
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 STL security checkpoint at no cost.
Does STL airport have a family security lane?
St. Louis Lambert 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. STL is not one of TSA's 'Families on the Fly' airports, so there is no dedicated family security lane. TSA does operate specially designed lanes for passengers with disabilities at the checkpoint — ask a TSA officer or supervisor for a Passenger Support Specialist if you need extra time or accommodation.
Where is the service animal relief area at STL airport?
Six designated relief areas: Terminal 1 exterior near Exit 6, Concourse A near gate A16, Concourse C near gate C24, Terminal 2 exterior near Exit 10, and Terminal 2 Concourse E near gates E4 and E40 — the concourse locations are indoor, turf-covered relief spaces. Service animals are permitted throughout all airport areas without restriction. Emotional support animals follow your individual airline's policies.
See also: STL TSA PreCheck lanes · Flying with disabilities guide · STL security tips
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