WCHR – wheelchair assistance to and from the gate
WCHR – Wheelchair Ramp is the international special service code for passengers who cannot walk long distances at the airport, but can climb steps unaided.
WCHS – wheelchair assistance to the aircraft seat
WCHS – Wheelchair Steps is the international special service code for passengers who cannot climb steps and are to be taken to the aircraft in a wheelchair.
WCHC – wheelchair assistance for a passenger who is unable to walk
WCHC – Wheelchair Cabin is the international special service code for passengers who are completely unable to walk and who need a wheelchair on board as well.
Safe and accessible travel
Information for passengers with reduced mobility.
At the airport
What we can do for you:
- Assistance service agents will be happy to accompany you throughout your time at the airport if needed.
- At the gate, an agent can assist you with boarding and disembarking before the other passengers, if you wish.
- For longer stopovers in Frankfurt or Munich, a dedicated waiting lounge is available and accessible with your wheelchair.
Good to know:
- Depending on local conditions, airports offer different transport options for passengers with reduced mobility. You may need to change wheelchairs to get from the airport to the aircraft. Please note that step-free boarding and disembarking from the aircraft cannot be guaranteed at all the airports we serve. If the aircraft is parked on the apron, boarding and disembarking will be via a staircase.
- Although we are happy to accommodate day of travel requests, we highly recommend that all accessibility requests be booked at least 48 hours in advance so that all parties, including our handling agents, are notified.
- Please allow enough time to arrive at the airport and check in without having to rush.
- When checking in please tell our staff about your assistance requirements. Our assistance services are of course available to you free of charge. This enables us to arrange your preferred assistance and, if necessary, accompany you on board ahead of the other passengers. It helps if you let us know the nature of your disability, although this is voluntary. In this way we can tailor our assistance to best suit your needs.
- You may bring an accessibility assistant or a family member to help you transfer between wheelchairs and seats if you cannot perform this task yourself. More information on travel companions
On board
What we can do for you:
- A specially designed onboard wheelchair is available for your use, allowing you to access the onboard toilet. We will, of course, provide assistance in using the onboard wheelchair.
- If you wish, we can accompany you on the way to and from the toilet.
- Our team can assist you in stowing carry-on baggage and mobility devices.
- We are happy to help you in preparing and plating up your meal.
- If required, we can explain the safety procedures on board to you personally.
Good to know:
- Almost all seats on the Lufthansa fleet have movable armrests which make access to your seat easier.
- If you wish to attach a seating device to your seat, then for safety reasons we must check the device beforehand. In this case, please contact our Medical Operation CentreThe link will be opened in a new browser tab.
- Please be prepared to transfer from your own wheelchair to an onboard wheelchair if necessary to be able to move around the aircraft. The onboard wheelchair has a seat width of 36 cm. Your own wheelchair will be transported safely in the hold. If you require a larger onboard wheelchair, please contactThe link will be opened in a new browser tab us.
- Please be aware that for safety reasons our cabin crew cannot carry out any physical lifting or carrying.
- If you require assistance changing seats, eating or using the toilet, you will need a travel companion who is at least 18 years old and capable of helping you with this.
Using the onboard toilets
All our long-haul aircraft have accessible toilets.
However, please note that space is often limited, in particular on short-haul flights. This applies both to the toilets and to the aisles which are often narrower than on other modes of transport.
At your destination or transfer airport:
What we can do for you:
- After landing, you will receive your own wheelchair either directly at the aircraft or, at the latest, at baggage claim. If your wheelchair is to be made available at baggage claim, we will take you there using an airport wheelchair. Please understand that this may involve some short waiting periods.
(Unfortunately, your wheelchair cannot be returned to you directly at the aircraft at the following airports: Addis Ababa, Asmara, Billund, Cagliari, Catania, Hamburg, Hannover, Nuremberg, Olbia, Palermo, Riyadh, Stuttgart and Valencia.)
- If your mobility device is damaged during transport and we are responsible, we will waive the limits of liability set out in the Montreal Convention. This means we will cover the damage to your mobility device based on its actual value or the repair costs, rather than limiting our liability to a maximum amount.
Good to know:
Are you being met at the airport? If so, we recommend that the person meeting you contacts the Lufthansa Airport Ticket Team before your flight arrives. This will help in the coordination of the next steps and allow us to organize seamless assistance. In addition, at some airports it is possible that your companion can even meet you at baggage reclaim.
Travelling with a companion
A travel companion may be useful or necessary to provide additional assistance during the journey. This person must be at least 18 years old. You can find further information on the topic of travel companions here.
How to notify us of your assistance requirements
Via the online form
Our online service is available in German and English. (Completed online booking required)
By telephone
If you book your ticket by telephone, please be sure to inform us of your individual requirements before completing your booking.
Through your travel agency
Before completing your booking, please inform your travel agency of your individual assistance requirements so that we can provide you with the best possible service.
Do you have any questions or need further information?
Our Medical Service is available if you have any further questions and to provide more information.
The Lufthansa Medical Operation Center provides information about booking modalities and the availability of accessible services on our flights.
Fax: +49 69 69 68 36 77
Email: specialservice@dlh.de
(Monday to Friday: 08:30–20:00 hours; Saturday, Sunday and public holidays: 08:30–16:30 hours)
Travellers to and from the USA
For travellers to and from the USA, the Medical Desk in the USA can be reached using the following contact details (Monday to Friday: 09:00 hours to 17:00 hours EST):
In general the Medical Desk Team speaks English.
Tel: +1-516-279-1768
Considerably higher charges may apply for telephone calls to the USA.
Booking and reservation
We can offer you various services depending on the extent of your disabilities:
Restrictions to seat availability
You are free to choose your seat according to your individual needs. Please understand that, for safety reasons, restrictions may apply.
Please note that the following seats are not suitable for WCHR:
- all seats in the emergency exit row, regardless of aircraft type
- A350-900 with the new Lufthansa Allegris cabin: Economy Class, rows 19A–K, 26A–C, 26H–K
Restrictions to seat availability
You are free to choose your seat according to your individual needs. Please understand that, for safety reasons, restrictions may apply.
Please note that the following seats are not suitable for WCHS:
- all seats in the emergency exit row, regardless of aircraft type
- B747-400 and B747-800: seats on the upper deck which is only accessible via steps
- A350-900 with the new Lufthansa Allegris cabin, as the following seats are unfortunately not accessible for space reasons:
- Economy Class, rows 19A–K, 26A–C, 26H–K
Restrictions to seat availability
You are free to choose your seat according to your individual needs. Please understand that, for safety reasons, restrictions may apply.
Please note that the following seats are not suitable for WCHC:
- all seats in the emergency exit row, regardless of aircraft type
- B747-400 and B747-800: seats on the upper deck which is only accessible via steps.
- A350-900 with the new Allegris cabin, as the following seats are unfortunately not accessible for space reasons:
- First Class: 1K
- Business Class: Business Suites 2A–K and 8A–K, Privacy Seats 3A + K, 5A + K, 7A + K, 9A + K and 11A + K and all Extra Space Seats 3E, 5F, 9E and 11F
- Economy Class: rows 19A–K, 26A–C, 26H–K
Travelling with your own wheelchair
You may travel with both a manual and an electric wheelchair. Please register your mobility device in advance, so we can check the safety regulations in good time and prepare transportation for you.
We will contact you as soon as possible with the result of our check. If we have further questions, we will also come straight back to you.
In the case of battery-powered wheelchairs, there may be safety-related restrictions and certain regulations to follow.
Important: As of 1 October 2025, a limit applies to mobility devices with integrated lithium batteries of a maximum of two batteries, each with a capacity of up to 160 Wh. If the lithium batteries in your mobility device exceed the permitted limit, we cannot unfortunately transport it. We recommend you contact the manufacturer to enquire about possible modifications or a transport-suitable alternative.
1. Booking your flight
You can get assistance with registration via your travel agency or the Service Center.
2. Register your assistance requirements online
Register your mobility device. This ensures that everything is transported safely and that you receive the assistance you require at the airport and on board.
3. Information about your electric mobility device
If you are travelling with an electric wheelchair or other electric mobility device, please complete the electric mobility device form below in advance so that we can check whether it can be transported.
Note: To view the document correctly, please use Adobe Acrobat Reader.
4. Send us the document
Send the completed form to specialcases@dlh.deThe link will be opened in a new browser tab – we will review your request and contact you to find a solution together if transport is not possible.
5. Take the document with you
Please keep the document on you, either in printed or in digital form, throughout the journey.
Will my wheelchair fit on the aircraft?
If you are taking your own wheelchair, please specify its dimensions, weight and special features (e.g. foldable, battery-powered, sports wheelchair).
The dimensions provided should correspond to the condition in which it will be transported. It can be your full-sized wheelchair, or with parts folded or removed.
When measuring, please ensure you measure both the widest point and the distance from the floor to the highest point of your wheelchair.
Wheelchairs that are max. 93 cm wide and max. 110 cm tall can fit into the hold of all Lufthansa flights.
You can find a list of hold door dimensions by aircraft type here:
In the event of irregularities with your mobility device
We will do our best to transport your mobility device, for example your wheelchair, with the utmost care. Should any damage or a delay in provision occur despite our best efforts, we are, of course, here for you.
Please report irregularities as quickly as possible, either directly online or in person at our baggage service counter at your destination airport. We will immediately try to find a suitable solution so you can continue your journey in the best possible way.
You can also request a refund for costs incurred by filling out this form:
If your mobility device arrives late, you can choose the option that suits you best: you can either pick it up at the destination airport or have it delivered conveniently to a suitable location, such as your home or to your hotel.
If you incur transport costs to or from the airport due to your mobility device being delayed, we will of course reimburse you for these.
Please keep your receipts. To process a refund, we require proof of the expenses incurred.
If your mobility device is damaged during the flight, you are entitled to a loan mobility device that meets your requirements in terms of functionality and safety until your own device has been returned, repaired or replaced.
If we are unable to provide a suitable loan mobility device, you can organize a suitable mobility aid yourself. We will reimburse you for the costs incurred within 30 days after submission of the corresponding proof.
In the event of a damaged or lost mobility device, we can offer you the following options:
- Lufthansa will cover the costs of repairing or replacing the device and will offer you a device with comparable functionality and safety.
- Alternatively, you can arrange for the repair or replacement through a provider of your choice. In this case, we will organize the transport and pay the costs incurred directly with the provider.
Statutory guidelines
Passengers with a disability or reduced mobility are carried in accordance with EU Regulation No. 1107/2006 on the rights of disabled passengers and passengers with reduced mobility.
Any passengers travelling to/from the USA are carried in accordance with the DOT provisions, Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 382, effective as of 13 May 2009.
At all our destinations in the USA, as well as in Frankfurt and Munich, you can contact specially trained Complaint Resolution Officials (CROs) during opening hours regarding issues related to your disability or reduced mobility. Our crew members or ground staff will be happy to put you in contact.
