Yes. All Bristol Airport Flyer buses (the A1, A2, A3 and A4 routes) are low-floor, easy-access vehicles with a dedicated wheelchair space, operated by First West of England on behalf of Bristol Airport. Assistance dogs travel free, and Class 2 mobility scooters up to 600mm wide and 1000mm long are accepted under the bus industry's Mobility Scooter Code of Conduct. Checked September 2026.
This is a different question from the airport's own special assistance service, which covers help inside the terminal itself. If you are asking how to get from home into Bristol Airport, or from the airport into the city, on a wheelchair, mobility scooter or with a pushchair, this covers the public bus specifically.
How wheelchair access works on the Flyer bus
All First buses, including the Airport Flyer fleet, are built as low-floor, easy-access vehicles. That means there is no step up from the pavement into the entrance area, and each bus can "kneel" (lower part of its body closer to the kerb) to reduce the gap further. If you need the step lowered, ask the driver before boarding.
Each bus has one designated wheelchair space, and under First Bus's accessibility policy, a wheelchair user always has priority over that space. If it is occupied by a pushchair, luggage, or standing passengers when a wheelchair user needs to board, the driver will ask for it to be cleared. Because there is only one such space per bus, and the Flyer can get busy around peak flight banks, it is worth allowing a little extra time in case you need to wait for the next departure, especially on the frequent A1 route where another bus is rarely far behind.
Mobility scooters on the A1, A2, A3 and A4
First Bus follows the bus industry's standard Mobility Scooter Code of Conduct. Under this code, three or four-wheeled Class 2 mobility scooters are accepted on board, provided they are no more than 600mm wide and 1000mm long, with a turning radius that does not exceed 1200mm. Larger or non-standard scooters should be checked with First Bus in advance, since not every scooter that fits through a shop door will fit safely in a bus's wheelchair bay and turning space.
If you use a scooter regularly on First's network, you can also arrange a training session with First Bus to be issued a "permit for travel," and a valid permit from any First Bus operator is accepted on Bristol's services too, so it is worth sorting this out before your travel date if you are a first-time user.
Buggies, pushchairs and priority for wheelchair users
Pushchairs and buggies can use the wheelchair bay too, but only when no wheelchair user needs it. If a wheelchair user boards and the space is occupied by a buggy, the driver will ask the buggy to be folded and moved, or repositioned elsewhere on the bus if there is room. Buggy space is genuinely limited on these buses, and drivers can refuse to carry an unfolded buggy if the bus is already busy, so families with a heavy pushchair and check-in luggage may find a taxi more practical at very busy times. See our comparison of the A1 Flyer versus a taxi for the trade-offs on cost and convenience.
Assistance dogs and other help
Guide dogs, hearing dogs, disabled support dogs and canine partners for independence all travel free on Bristol's Flyer services, and this is written into the route's own terms and conditions as well as First Bus's general accessibility policy. Visually impaired passengers are also carried free of charge on production of a valid concessionary card, so it is worth having that ready when you board.
If you find travelling by bus stressful because of a hidden disability, First Bus also supports the discreet "journey assistance card" scheme used across the UK bus industry, which lets you show the driver a card asking for a little extra help or patience without having to explain your situation out loud.
Folding bikes and luggage
Folding bicycles are allowed if packed and stored so they do not block the aisle or exits, but standard, non-folding bikes are not carried on Flyer buses at all, which is worth knowing if you were planning to combine cycling with the bus rather than our separate guide to cycling to Bristol Airport. Ordinary suitcases and hand luggage travel in the racks on board, and there is no extra charge for standard holiday luggage.
Getting from accessible parking or drop-off to the Flyer stop
The Flyer's Public Transport Interchange stop sits on level, step-free ground close to the terminal building, so the walk from the stop to check-in is short and flat. If you are being dropped off rather than driving yourself, our guide to Bristol Airport's blue badge and disabled parking covers the dedicated bays closer to the terminal, which may suit you better than the bus stop if mobility is a bigger factor than cost.
Flyer bus or an accessible taxi: which to choose
| A1/A2/A3/A4 Flyer bus | Wheelchair-accessible taxi | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | From £5 to £9.50 single | Fare agreed at booking, higher than the bus |
| Space | One wheelchair bay per bus, shared with buggies | Vehicle booked specifically for your wheelchair or scooter |
| Booking | No booking needed, turn up and go | Book in advance to guarantee an accessible vehicle |
| Door-to-door | No, terminal Interchange only | Yes |
The bus is the cheaper option and runs around the clock, but it only has one wheelchair space and no guarantee that space will be free when you arrive at a stop. A pre-booked accessible taxi costs more but takes you door to door and is arranged specifically for your equipment. See our full guide to wheelchair-accessible taxis at Bristol Airport for how to book one, and special assistance at the airport for help once you are inside the terminal.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Bristol Airport Flyer bus wheelchair accessible?
Yes. All Flyer buses are low-floor, easy-access vehicles with one dedicated wheelchair space, and wheelchair users have priority for that space over buggies or standing passengers.
Can I bring a mobility scooter on the Flyer bus?
Class 2 mobility scooters up to 600mm wide and 1000mm long, with a turning radius of 1200mm or less, are accepted under First Bus's Mobility Scooter Code of Conduct. Check with First Bus in advance if your scooter is larger than this.
Do assistance dogs travel free on the Flyer bus?
Yes. Guide dogs, hearing dogs, disabled support dogs and canine partners for independence all travel free, and visually impaired passengers also travel free with a valid concessionary card.
What happens if the wheelchair space is already taken by a pushchair?
The driver will ask for the pushchair to be folded or moved so the space is available for a wheelchair user, since wheelchair users have priority for that space at all times.
Can I take a folding bike or a full-size bike on the Flyer bus?
Folding bikes are allowed if properly packed and stored out of the aisle. Standard, non-folding bicycles are not carried on the Flyer services.
What is the alternative if the bus does not suit my needs?
A pre-booked wheelchair-accessible taxi gives you a guaranteed, door-to-door vehicle, and the airport's own special assistance service can help with the terminal, check-in and boarding once you arrive.
More: Overview, Public transport, Taxis, Facilities, FAQs.