What we’re doing to make travel more accessible

1.     Braille on board

Finding your way around the cabin should be easy for all travellers. In 2023, we became the first U.S. airline to begin using Braille signage inside our planes. Markings identify rows and seat numbers and are on the inside and outside of lavatories. By 2026, we expect to outfit our entire mainline fleet with Braille to better serve our travellers with vision-related disabilities.

2.     Neurodivergent traveller support

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for travellers with disabilities. Every person has different needs, and our agents are aware of this. When you’re at the airport for your flight, you can always reach out to a United agent for help– they’re trained to work with travellers of all ability levels and can help you or your loved one feel more comfortable. When you buy tickets, you can let us know that you or someone traveling with you has a disability so we can prepare to offer help at the airport or during your flight.

Even with our help, the process of flying can be overwhelming for anyone. To prepare for your journey, we recommend walking through the steps before and after flying using our new social story. Or, participate in a “rehearsal” flight with Wings for Autism®, an organization we partner with to help travellers with intellectual and developmental disabilities practice things like checking in, going through security, and boarding.

3.     Wheelchair services 

Travelling with a wheelchair doesn’t have to be a hassle – when you fly United, we provide wheelchairs for every stage of your travel journey. Booking a wheelchair for your flight is the first step. If you’ve already purchased your ticket and need a wheelchair to get to your gate or once onboard your flight, request one ahead of time in My Trips or online in the traveller information section when you book. You can also contact our Accessibility Desk well before your flight or call the Accessibility Desk number at 1-800-228-2744 if you would like to add wheelchair documentation to your ticket or have more questions about wheelchair assistance.

Once your trip begins, you can use one of our many different wheelchairs depending on your need. We have manual 18-inch chairs to get around airports, specially designed aisle wheelchairs that help you get to and from your seat during boarding, and in-flight wheelchairs to reach lavatories on planes with more than 60 seats.

4.     Accessible seating

Accessible seating is a big part of a comfy travel experience, and having a movable arm rest can help you get in and out of your seat with much less friction, especially for passengers with less mobility. To pick a seat with a movable arm rest, check the type of plane you’re on in the My Trips section of united.com or the United app after you’ve bought your ticket, and then find your plane using our online plane list. Then, check your plane for the rows with movable arm rests, so you can book an appropriate seat ahead of time.

Once you’re in your seat, you can also request our attendants for a seatbelt extender if you need one. Our extenders can add up to 25 inches to your belt, making it easier to fit around you if you need it.

5.     Digital features

We are the first in the world to offer the most extensive suite of accessibility features on seatback screens for an inclusive in-flight entertainment experience. We accommodate any level of visual disability and are proud to have features like text-to-speech, magnified text for easier reading, and high-contrast colours for better readability. We showcase specific movies and shows with audio descriptions and closed captions for travellers who are hard of hearing.

Our award-winning United app is also accessible. In addition to connecting to a device’s built-in voiceover features, our app is also specifically built to ensure on-screen information is pronounced as accurately as possible.

6.     Wheelchair travel planning

Although you can use our wheelchairs onboard, you may still bring your own wheelchair on your flight if it fits. You can visit the United app or united.com and use the wheelchair filters on the flight search results page before selecting your flight. After clicking on the wheelchair filter tab near the upper portion of the screen, you can enter the specific dimensions of your mobility device to find flights that will fit your chair.

If you use the wheelchair filter when you book a flight and must take a more expensive flight for your chair to fit, you can be refunded the price difference as long as both your flights are through United, have the same origin and destination, and are nonstop. If you want to use our chairs onboard your flight, you can check your wheelchair – it’s free to check your mobility device with other checked bags. This includes manual and electric wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, canes, and crutches. They can be folding, non-folding, or collapsible.