Bristol Airport provides special assistance free of charge for passengers with disabilities, reduced mobility, hidden impairments or anyone who simply needs extra help getting through the terminal. Book it with your airline or travel agent at least 48 hours before you fly, or through the free PRM Assist app. On the day, look for the special assistance meeting points signposted throughout the terminal.
How to book special assistance at Bristol Airport
Assistance at Bristol Airport is arranged through your airline, not the airport directly, because under European accessibility law your airline is responsible for organising the help you receive on the ground.
- Contact your airline or travel agent when you book your flight, or at least 48 hours before departure. Give as much notice as you can if your needs are more complex.
- Tell them what you need, including whether you're travelling with your own wheelchair or mobility scooter, and how to isolate the power on any battery-powered equipment.
- Use the PRM Assist app as a second way to pre-book. Search "PRM Assist" on the Apple App Store or Google Play, and your booking is passed to Bristol Airport's assistance provider, ABM.
- Book late or on the day if you have to, but expect a longer wait, since equipment and staff are arranged in advance for pre-booked passengers.
Bristol Airport's on-the-ground assistance is delivered by ABM, a specialist team trained to support passengers of all ages, from wheelchair users to people with sensory or cognitive impairments and anyone travelling with young children who needs extra support.
What happens when you arrive
Passengers who have booked assistance are met at a designated point in the terminal, whether that's at the drop-off area, the multi-storey car park, the Silver Zone bus stop, or the main terminal entrance. Tell your airline where you're arriving from (by car, taxi, or bus) so the right meeting point is arranged.
Inside, assistance staff help with:
- Checking in and moving through security, including using the accessible security lane where needed
- Getting to the departure gate, including support for hidden disabilities and additional time where required
- Boarding the aircraft, using an ambulift or aisle chair if you can't use the stairs or jet bridge unaided
- Arrivals support, collecting checked baggage, and transfers back to a car, taxi or connecting bus
If you use your own wheelchair or scooter, you can usually take it to the aircraft door, where it's stored in the hold and returned to you on arrival, subject to your airline's battery and size rules.
Do you need to pay for special assistance?
No. Special assistance at Bristol Airport is free. It's funded through a small charge built into airport fees that all passengers already pay as part of their ticket, not billed separately to passengers who use it.
Parking and drop-off for passengers with a Blue Badge
If you're driving yourself or being dropped off, Bristol Airport has dedicated Blue Badge parking and a free extended window in the drop-off zone for Blue Badge holders. For the details on where these bays are and how the drop-off charge exemption works, see our guide to Blue Badge and disabled parking at Bristol Airport.
Travelling with an assistance dog
Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the terminal and in the cabin on most airlines, but you must tell your airline when you book, since documentation requirements (and any destination country's import rules) vary by route. Ask your airline for its assistance dog policy before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance do I need to book special assistance at Bristol Airport?
At least 48 hours before you travel. Book through your airline, travel agent, or the PRM Assist app. Later requests are still accepted where possible, but pre-booking guarantees the right equipment and staff are ready for you.
Does Bristol Airport charge for wheelchair assistance?
No, special assistance is free for anyone who needs it, whether that's a wheelchair, help with hidden disabilities, or support for an older or younger traveller.
Can I bring my own wheelchair or mobility scooter?
Yes. Tell your airline in advance and provide details of the equipment, including how to isolate the battery power if it's electric, so it can be stored safely in the hold.
Where do I meet the assistance team at Bristol Airport?
At a signposted meeting point in the terminal, or wherever you arrange with your airline based on how you're arriving, by car, taxi, bus, or drop-off.
Is there a separate assistance service for arrivals?
Yes. The same ABM team supports arriving passengers off the aircraft, through to baggage reclaim and onward transport, provided your airline has passed on your assistance request.
What if I forget to book assistance in advance?
Speak to your airline or a Bristol Airport team member on the day. Every reasonable effort is made to help, but a same-day request can mean a longer wait than a pre-booked one.
Checked 2026. Details reflect Bristol Airport's published special assistance process; always confirm specific requirements with your airline before you travel.