Southwest and airport assistance

[Simba's Mom]

My next trip will be my first on Southwest and I don't do at all well walking long distances. How do I request either a cart or wheelchair assistance? On United, there's a form "Edit traveler information", if I remember, and a wheelchair was always waiting at the airplane, which took me to a cart, then another wheelchair since I had to change terminals. Fortunately, my change is in Houston Hobby, which is smaller than Intercontinental, but I'd still like help. How do you request it on Southwest? And how do I request pre board? On United, they would usually just see my cane, and come and tell me "You can pre board now."

 

[jmartinez1895]

You will need to call them and let them know what you are needing. I have called many times with different request and they have always been very nice, but I have never had to have the type of help you need so I can't comment on that specifically. As for preboarding, once you get the gate let the agent at hte desk know. Sometimes if you have chair they will not require a pass, but we have been issued the blue card with a chair in the past so it never hurts to let hem know you need it. When it is time to board they will call for all the people with blue preboarding cards and wheelchairs to come up. It is a very easy process with SW

 

[richmo]

You missed it when setting up the reservation. There's a link right where you enter "Who's Flying" for "Add/Edit Disability Options". I've done this several times for my MIL and Southwest has been great.

You might be able to look it up and edit it in, but be careful...I'm not sure if that would be considered a rebooking. That would be fine if the price is the same or lower, but if its gone up, don't do it. In that case, call.

 

[SueM in MN]

Here's a link to the Southwest page for flyers with disabilities.
https://www.southwest.com/html/cust...el-needs/customers-with-disabilities-pol.html

You can request ahead of time by talking to customer service.
Also, if you get to the airport and have not been able to reach anyone before that, ask at the check in desk. For Southwest, they will give you a 'blue sleeve' for your boarding passes that indicates you are approved to pre-board. Do this BEFORE they start boarding.

 

[nikkislaght]

WE fly Jet blue and even after your booking you can still request assistance... with Jet Blue.. on their website , when requesting your seat , it has the option of needing assistance... I do this all the time.. book first get my seats then go back and click on the assistance button.. you should see if the airline you are flying with have the same option... otherwise. when you get to the gate you can always ask,, hang round and when the call for kids and for people with mobility problems get in that line..!! hope your flight goes well...

 

[SteveMouse]

Blue cards are a thing of the past . Now, if you go to the gate agent, they will print a piece of paper for you, which they them collect back as you preboard.

 

[SueM in MN]

Blue cards are a thing of the past . Now, if you go to the gate agent, they will print a piece of paper for you, which they them collect back as you preboard.

I just flew Southwest on Monday and yesterday.
Even if they were not a physical blue sleeve to put your boarding pass in, they still called them blue sleeves at all the airports I was at. And, they are still used with your boarding pass.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Thanks everyone! It sounds like a phone call to customer service may be a good thing. And then when I get to the airport, I'll ask when I check my luggage.