Disabled Facilities
Heathrow airport goes to great lenghs to ensure the comfort and safety of disabled passengers and those with special needs. Heathrow Airport uses expert providers to give all necessary asssitance.
Terminals 1 to 4
Wheelchair access is easy through a means of wider access pathways and ramps. There are disabled toilet facilities, wheelchair accessible telephones, reserved seating at check-in plus special seating areas throughout the airport.
There are free Help Points located throughout the airport for special needs or disabled passengers. These Help Points display a map of your location and provide a telephone to contact airport personnel for assistance, for example help with carrying baggage to check-in and help with wheelchair provision. You can find these Help Points in the terminal forecourts, in the short stay car parks, the rail stations and at baggage reclaim.
As part of Heathrow Airport's Disabled Facilities, for hard of hearing or partially sighted travellers, induction loops are available that are situated in various locations around the airport - signs show the 'sympathetic ear' symbol.
All the airport's pay phones and credit card telephones are adapted for hearing aids. And there is also a text pay phone in the International arrivals area after exiting customs.
Heathrow's directional signs are yellow with black text so they stand out.
The reserved seating areas in the airport can be identified by the use of the special needs pictograms throughout all four of the terminals.
Each reserved seating area aims to have the following features:
1. Low level flight information screens
2. An induction loop
3. Arms on both sides of seats
4. Space for wheelchair users
Only hearing and guide dogs are allowed in the terminal buildings.
Terminal 5
Terminal 5 provides disabled facilities equal to, or better than, any airport in the World. There is well thought out wheelchair access throughout the terminal, dedicated parking in its range of car parks, wheelchair accessible telephones, ample reserved seating and good WC facilities.
This Disabled Facilities At Terminal 5 Guide aims to help those passengers flying from Heathrow Terminal 5 with a disability, enabling them to get the very most out of their pre-flight time.Help Points are widely available throughout Terminal 5 – both land and air side, baggage reclaim, in the car parks and the rail station - for use by special needs or disabled passengers. These Help Points not only locate your position within the airport but also offer a contact of assistance whereby airport staff can help you with luggage or wheelchair provision.
The airport terminal also uses bold signage – yellow and black – in abundance throughout so locating your specific requirement should be trouble-free.
In the main foyer of Terminal 5, as you enter the building, you will find a BA Information Desk, here staff can answer any last minute questions or queries you may have.
Low level flight information screens are available in the dedicated disabled reserved seating areas throughout. Induction loops are available also, these are also situated at various points around the terminal building, displaying the ‘sympathetic ear’ symbol.
Guide Dogs and hearing dogs are the only animals permitted in the building.
Air Travel can sometimes be difficult for disabled travellers. An excellent option to consider is the various meet and greet parking parking services, which take away the need to use car parks and transfer buses. Here are some recommended services:
Terminal 1
Terminal 2
Official Heathrow Valet Parking
Terminal 3
Terminal 4
Knights of London Meet and Greet
Terminal 5
Helpful information
Disabled and special need passengers travelling from Heathrow Airport may wish to look at this helpful and informative official guide