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HOME
  • Dementia-Friendly Airports - Details
    • What is a Dementia-Friendly Airport?
    • Current Status of Dementia-Friendly Airports
    • Regulations and Guidance for Hidden Disabilities Air Travel >
      • United States
      • United Kingdom
      • European Union
      • Canada
      • International Air Transport Association (IATA)
    • Tools for Becoming a Dementia-Friendly Airport
  • Training Resources
  • About Us
    • Members
    • Participating Airports
    • Projects >
      • TSA Security Screening Guidance >
        • Screening Passengers with Dementia (Part 1)
        • Screening Passengers with Dementia (Part 2)
        • In the Words of an Individual Living with Dementia - What He Would Like You to Know
      • Survey
      • Interviews
    • Logo
  • Media
    • Local Media
    • National Media
    • Academics >
      • Presentations
      • Publications
  • Resources for Travel
    • Know Your Rights
    • Flight Process Start to Finish >
      • 1. Before Booking Flights
      • 2. Booking Flights
      • 3. Preparing for Flight
      • 4. Arriving at the Airport
      • 5. Getting Through US Security
      • 6. Navigating to Your Gate and Boarding the Plane
      • 7. Flying
      • 8. Arriving at Your Destination
    • Tools for Travel
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Before Booking Flights

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.
  • 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 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
  • MagnusCards® 
    MagnusCards are digital how-to guides for independent living providing step-by-step instructions for various activities, including navigating several airports.
  • 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
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  • Dementia-Friendly Airports - Details
    • What is a Dementia-Friendly Airport?
    • Current Status of Dementia-Friendly Airports
    • Regulations and Guidance for Hidden Disabilities Air Travel >
      • United States
      • United Kingdom
      • European Union
      • Canada
      • International Air Transport Association (IATA)
    • Tools for Becoming a Dementia-Friendly Airport
  • Training Resources
  • About Us
    • Members
    • Participating Airports
    • Projects >
      • TSA Security Screening Guidance >
        • Screening Passengers with Dementia (Part 1)
        • Screening Passengers with Dementia (Part 2)
        • In the Words of an Individual Living with Dementia - What He Would Like You to Know
      • Survey
      • Interviews
    • Logo
  • Media
    • Local Media
    • National Media
    • Academics >
      • Presentations
      • Publications
  • Resources for Travel
    • Know Your Rights
    • Flight Process Start to Finish >
      • 1. Before Booking Flights
      • 2. Booking Flights
      • 3. Preparing for Flight
      • 4. Arriving at the Airport
      • 5. Getting Through US Security
      • 6. Navigating to Your Gate and Boarding the Plane
      • 7. Flying
      • 8. Arriving at Your Destination
    • Tools for Travel
    • Travel Tips
    • Covid-19 Air Travel Policies
  • Contact Us