Before Booking Flights

Air travel regulations regarding assistance to air travelers with hidden disabilities differ from country to country.  You must determine which regulations apply to your circumstances.  The details in this section apply to U.S. air travel regulations.

(** indicates a policy/program that has been changed or removed by the Trump administration)

Your best chance of receiving the assistance you want and compliance with your special requests is to specify your needs to the airline agent when booking your flight(s). 
In order to do this, you need to determine the following before booking tickets:​

• Can the person living with dementia travel alone?  If a person cannot self-identify and advocate to some degree on their own behalf, it is best to be traveling with a companion.
• A passenger is required to travel with a safety assistant (PCA, travel companion physically able to assist with these functions) when the:
  • Passenger has a cognitive or developmental disability so severe that they are unable to comprehend or respond to safety related instructions.  
  • Passenger has both a severe hearing and vision impairment and is unable to establish a means of communication with airline personnel sufficient to receive the safety briefing.  
  • Passenger has a mobility impairment so severe that the passenger is unable to physically assist in their own evacuation during an emergency.  
• In the airports, airlines do not provide custodial care or a personal escort to remain with someone. They will not escort anyone to a specific party or check that party's identification.
  • If a passenger requires personal or continuous assistance, they should travel with a ticketed caregiver or personal care attendant.  
• Do any of the travelers in your party require a Medical Clearance to Fly?  
• Are any of the travelers in your party required to provide advance notice as a condition of traveling on the airline or receiving services?

Determine what assistance and policies impact travelers with disabilities on the specific airlines you are using.  

Air travel regulations differ between countries, therefore the assistance available to you will vary. In addition, specific services may vary with aircraft, route, and airport. 
​
Information is available on airline websites. U.S. airlines differ significantly in accommodations offered to passengers with disabilities. Scroll through this document to determine what your airline may offer.

Here are some sample airline links for customer assistance:

Delta Airlines 

Southwest Airlines 

American Airlines 

jetBlue

It is also worthwhile to explore whether enrollment in any of these airport security tools will facilitate your travel experiences.

• TSA PreCheck 
  With a 5-year, $78 membership, you can speed through security and don’t need to remove your shoes, laptops, liquids, belts and light jackets.​
• TSA Passenger Support
  From the TSA website: "TSA offers screening information and assistance to travelers upon request through TSA Cares at (855) 787-2227. TSA Cares is designed to assist travelers with disabilities and medical conditions and others who may need additional assistance with screening. TSA Cares is staffed, to provide travelers information on what to expect during the screening process, from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET on weekends and holiday.
  Through TSA Cares, a traveler may request the services of a TSA Passenger Support Specialist (PSS), who can provide assistance through security screening.  A PSS is a TSA officer who has received specialized training, including how to effectively assist and communicate with individuals with disabilities or medical conditions; and travelers who need additional screening assistance. Requesting PSS service does not exempt you from security screening."
  • TSA Cares is a helpline (855) 787-2227 or submit an online form
  • Passenger Support Specialists
  • Disabilities and Medical Conditions-Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and more
  • TSA Notification card
  • Screening for Passengers 75 and Older​
• TSA implements additional gender marker option for TSA PreCheck **
• TSA Resource for Transgender Passengers **
  Additional information about gender options for TSA PreCheck **
• GLOBAL ENTRY 
  A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program for expedited clearance of pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States   
• MobilePassport 
  Travelers may submit passport and declaration information via their mobile devices, then access separate, fast lanes in the inspection area.
• CLEAR®   
  Touchless biometrics scan for identification at security checkpoint
• Airport Butler 
  ​Airport Butler offers customized airport concierge services including meet and assist for departing, arriving and connecting passengers.

Consider enrolling in MedicAlert and Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return or a comparable service before traveling. MedicAlert and Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return is a fee-based, nationwide, 24/7 emergency response service that facilitates the safe return of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia who wander or have a medical emergency. The Alzheimer’s Association, in collaboration with MedicAlert® Foundation, provides membership plans with 24/7 Wandering Support.

U.S. Passports
The U.S. State Department announced in June [2022] that it was taking steps towards adding a third gender marker for nonbinary, intersex, and gender-nonconforming people. **

• Selecting your gender marker **
• More information **

​Updated 8/20/2025