<p>Special assistance at Bristol Airport, covering wheelchairs, mobility support and help for hidden disabilities, must be booked through your airline or travel agent at least 48 hours before you travel, not directly with the airport. Bristol Airport's service provider, ABM, then meets you at an agreed point and helps you through the terminal. You can also pre-book through the free PRM Assist mobile app as a backup to your airline booking. Checked 2026.</p>
<h2 id="how-to-book-step-by-step">How to book, step by step</h2>
<div class="table-wrap"><table>
<thead><tr><th>Step</th><th>What to do</th><th>When</th></tr></thead><tbody>
<tr><td>1</td><td>Tell your airline or travel agent you need assistance, and what kind</td><td>At booking, or at least 48 hours before travel</td></tr>
<tr><td>2</td><td>Mention any mobility equipment you are bringing, such as a wheelchair or scooter</td><td>Same time as your assistance request</td></tr>
<tr><td>3</td><td>Optionally, pre-book through the PRM Assist app as well</td><td>Any time before travel</td></tr>
<tr><td>4</td><td>Head to the assistance meeting point at the terminal on the day</td><td>Allow extra time before your flight</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>
<p>Under European and UK legislation, your airline is legally responsible for arranging assistance once you are booked to fly, and the airport is responsible for providing that help while you are in the terminal. This is why the request has to go through your airline rather than Bristol Airport directly, even though it is Bristol Airport's own contracted team who will actually help you on the day.</p>
<h2 id="who-provides-the-assistance">Who provides the assistance</h2>
<p>Bristol Airport's special assistance service is delivered by ABM, a specialist provider whose staff are trained to help passengers with a wide range of needs, including physical disabilities, visual and hearing impairments, and hidden disabilities such as autism or dementia. Assistance is available for all ages, including children travelling with family. If you forget to book in advance, the airport says it will still make every effort to help you on the day, though a late or no-notice request means a longer wait while staff and equipment are arranged.</p>
<h2 id="the-prm-assist-app">The PRM Assist app</h2>
<p>PRM Assist is a free mobile app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play, that lets you pre-book assistance directly for your Bristol Airport journey as a backup to your airline booking. It passes your request straight to ABM, the airport's assistance provider, and is worth using alongside your airline's own booking rather than instead of it, since the airline booking is what legally triggers Bristol Airport's obligation to help you.</p>
<h2 id="what-to-expect-on-the-day">What to expect on the day</h2>
<p>Arrive with the same lead time as any other passenger, or a little earlier if you can, since assistance meeting points and check-in for special assistance can add time before security. If you are bringing your own wheelchair or mobility scooter, tell your airline in advance, including details of the battery type and how to isolate the power, since this affects how it is handled and stored during the flight. On arrival back at Bristol, the same assistance is available for getting from the aircraft through to arrivals and, if needed, to your onward transport such as a pre-booked taxi or the Blue Badge parking bays. See the <a href="/blog/bristol-airport-blue-badge-disabled-parking/">Blue Badge parking guide</a> if you are driving yourself.</p>
<h2 id="hidden-disabilities-and-the-sunflower-scheme">Hidden disabilities and the sunflower scheme</h2>
<p>Bristol Airport also supports passengers with hidden disabilities that are not immediately visible, such as autism, anxiety, or chronic pain, through additional guidance and awareness among staff. If a hidden disability affects your journey, mention it when you book assistance with your airline so the right support, such as extra time or a quieter route through the terminal, can be arranged in advance rather than requested on the spot.</p>
<h2 id="travelling-with-an-assistance-dog">Travelling with an assistance dog</h2>
<p>If you travel with a registered assistance dog, tell your airline when you book so it can confirm the paperwork required for the flight and notify the airport of your journey. Assistance dogs are generally able to accompany their owner through the terminal and into the departure lounge, but airline-specific rules and any documentation needed for the destination country should be checked well before travel, since these vary by airline and route.</p>
<h2 id="taxi-and-parking-for-passengers-needing-assistance">Taxi and parking for passengers needing assistance</h2>
<p>If you are being dropped off or collected by taxi, the short-stay drop-off area is close to the terminal entrance; see the <a href="/drop-off/">drop-off page</a> for current charges and where to stop. Local taxi operators such as <a href="https://ticktaxi.co.uk/en/book-online">Tick Taxi</a> can also be asked in advance to provide a driver comfortable helping with mobility equipment. Drivers themselves should confirm any Blue Badge parking is booked ahead of arrival, since Bristol Airport's disabled bays are limited and located close to the terminal for a shorter walk.</p>
<h2 id="frequently-asked-questions">Frequently asked questions</h2>
<p><strong>How do I book special assistance at Bristol Airport?</strong> Contact your airline or travel agent at least 48 hours before you travel and tell them what assistance you need. You can also pre-book through the free PRM Assist app as a backup.</p>
<p><strong>Can I get wheelchair assistance if I did not book in advance?</strong> Bristol Airport says it will still try to help you on the day if you have not booked, but you may experience a longer wait while staff and equipment are arranged, so booking ahead is strongly recommended.</p>
<p><strong>Who provides special assistance at Bristol Airport?</strong> ABM is Bristol Airport's contracted service provider for special assistance, delivering help under a service level agreement with the airport, while your airline remains responsible for arranging assistance once you are booked to fly.</p>
<p><strong>Can I bring my own wheelchair or mobility scooter?</strong> Yes, but tell your airline in advance, including details of the equipment and how to isolate any battery power, since this affects how it is handled and stored on your flight.</p>
<p><strong>Is there support for hidden disabilities at Bristol Airport?</strong> Yes. If a hidden disability such as autism or anxiety affects your journey, mention it when you book assistance with your airline so appropriate support can be arranged before you travel.</p>
<h2 id="more">More</h2>
<p>More: <a href="/facilities/">Facilities overview</a>, <a href="/blog/bristol-airport-blue-badge-disabled-parking/">Blue Badge parking</a>, <a href="/drop-off/">Drop-off</a>, <a href="/taxis/">Taxis</a>, <a href="/faqs/">FAQs</a>.</p>