Wheelchairs and other assistive devices

Wheelchairs and other assistive devices

Each of our wide-body aircraft is equipped with an in-flight wheelchair. If you are travelling on a narrow-body aircraft, please contact Singapore Airlines to request for an in-flight wheelchair. Our cabin crew are trained to assist if you are unable to move by yourself from the in-flight wheelchair to/from your seat. For more information or to find out which seat will best meet your needs, please contact Singapore Airlines. Please note that due to safety requirements, seats on the emergency exit row will not be available to you. 

Types of assistance available

You’re reminded to check in early for your flight, at least 2 to 3 hours before departure. 

Our meet-and-assist service team will take care of you from check in to boarding, while our cabin crew will assist you with the on-board wheelchair and to the lavatory during your flight. Upon arrival at your destination, assistance will be provided from disembarkation to the arrival hall. 

However, we’re unable to offer these services:

  • Assistance with feeding of meals
  • Assistance within the restroom or assistance at the seat with defecation and/or urination functions
  • Provision of medical services
     

 Should you require these services, we advise you to travel with a personal care assistant.

Types of wheelchair or other assistive devices

If you need us to provide a wheelchair or other assistive devices, please make your travel plans as early as possible so we can make the necessary arrangements for you.

If you are arriving, departing or transiting through Singapore Changi Airport , there are also wheelchairs available at all information counters within the airport for your use. 

If you’re using your own manual or electric wheelchair or other assistive devices such as a cane, crutch, walker or mobility scooter, it does not count towards your free baggage allowance. As our cabin aisle dimensions are restrictive, we will require your wheelchair or other assistive device to be stored in our cargo hold as checked baggage. 

If your wheelchair is powered by a battery, or if you’re travelling in a group of 10 or more passengers who use wheelchairs, please contact Singapore Airlines at least 48 hours before your flight departs.

In preparation for your journey, you may refer to the table below on the IATA regulations for the carriage of your battery-powered wheelchair.

WHEELCHAIR / MOBILITY AIDS BATTERY TYPE

REQUIREMENTS

Non-spillable Wet / Dry Cell

Non-collapsible / non-removable battery 

  1. Battery(ies) to remain in the device and securely attached to the wheelchair or mobility aid.
  2. The battery terminals must be protected from short circuit by insulating the terminals (e.g. by taping over exposed terminals). 
  3. The wheelchair/mobility aid must be switched off and protected from accidental activation. 


Collapsible / removable battery

  1. The battery(ies) must be removed. The wheelchair/mobility aid may then be checked-in without restriction. 
  2. The removed battery(ies) must be protected from short circuit by insulating the terminals. 
  3. The battery(ies) must be packed in a protective pouch, which must be checked in.

Spillable Wet

Wheelchair/Mobility Aid can be stowed in an upright position 

  1. Battery(ies) to remain in the device and securely attached to the wheelchair or mobility aid. 
  2. The battery terminals must be protected from short circuits by insulating the terminals (e.g. by taping over exposed terminals). 
  3. The wheelchair/mobility aid must be switched off and protected from accidental activation. 


Wheelchair/Mobility Aid cannot be stowed in an upright position

  1. The battery(ies) must be removed and carried in a strong, rigid, leak-proof packaging, which must be checked in. The wheelchair/mobility aid may then be checked-in without restriction.
  2. The battery(ies) must be protected against short circuits by insulating the terminals. 
  3. The battery(ies) must be secured upright in a protective packaging and surrounded by compatible absorbent material.

Lithium#

Non-collapsible / non-removable battery

  1. Battery(ies) to remain in the device and securely attached to the wheelchair or mobility aid. 
  2. The battery terminals must be protected from short circuits by insulating the terminals (e.g. by taping over exposed terminals). 
  3. The wheelchair/mobility aid must be switched off and protected from accidental activation.
  4. No battery power rating (WH) limitation. 


Collapsible / removable battery

  1. The battery(ies) must be removed and protected from short circuit by insulating the terminals. The wheelchair/mobility aid may then be checked-in without restriction. 
  2. The removed battery(ies) must be protected from damage by placing them individually in a protective pouch, and carried as cabin baggage. 
  3. The power rating of the battery must not exceed 300Wh*.
  4. You're allowed to take one spare battery not exceeding 300Wh, or two spare batteries not exceeding 160Wh each. They must be carried as cabin baggage. 


#Lithium batteries that are used to power mobility aids must be of a type which meets the requirements of each test in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, subsection 38.3

*Watt hours (Wh) = Amp hours (Ah) x Voltage (V)


If your wheelchair or other assistive device is damaged, you must inform us or our airline partner of the damage in writing within 7 days. Compensation for the damage will follow the guidelines for lost/mishandled baggage. Singapore Airlines’ liability is limited in accordance with our General Conditions of Carriage for Passengers and Baggage, the Warsaw Convention or Montreal Convention (where applicable and as amended from time to time) and/or any other applicable law or regulations.

Special seating devices, such as the Crelling Harness and MERU chair, are allowed on our flights. To make the necessary arrangements, please contact Singapore Airlines as early as possible and at least 5 working days before the flight.