We accept one wheelchair or other assistive device per customer in addition to the free baggage allowance at no additional charge. We accept all types of wheelchairs including folding, collapsible, non-folding, manual or powered.
Advance notice of forty-eight (48) hours and one hour check-in is required for powered wheelchairs if the passenger will be traveling on an aircraft of 60 seats or less.
Checking your equipment
Your wheelchair can be checked at the ticket counter and/or gate. Continental appreciates your arriving at the airport at least an hour before departure if powered equipment requires disassembly.This time helps ensure proper handling is accomplished. Customers may use Continental's wheelchair equipment after checking personal wheelchairs. Checking and returning your wheelchair at the gate can be arranged. Please advise in advance if you request use of your equipment at airports for connecting flights. Please note, we do our best, but damage does sometimes occur, particularly with heavier powered wheelchairs.
Helpful suggestion: having written instructions about various items on your device will assist airport personnel as they load and unload it. You can design your own set of instructions, or can use one that we have created by downloading the wheelchair information card. Fill out as much information as you can and affix the card to the device. Keep a copy for yourself as well and have it available in case the one on your device gets lost for some reason.
Manual Wheelchairs
Customers who avail themselves for preboarding have priority to have their folding wheelchair stowed onboard upon request. All Continental aircraft have space large enough to accommodate at least one adult sized wheelchair.
Customers' manual wheelchairs can be checked for stowage in the Cargo bin at either the ticket counter or gate. Please provide as much information as possible to our employees to ensure proper handling and loading. Detachable items such as seat cushions and footrests can be carried in the cabin or tagged and stowed with the chair in the cargo bin.
Powered Equipment / Carts and Wheelchairs
Powered equipment will not be disassembled, including leaving the batteries attached, whenever the cart and/or wheelchair will fit upright through the aircraft bin door. If the size of the aircraft bin door prohibits this, airport personnel may ask you for instructions on how to disassemble your equipment. It's helpful to have the assembly/disassembly instructions with you along with the type of battery used. We encourage you to take advantage of the wheelchair information card that provides our staff with information on you device. Download a copy of the wheelchair information card. Please note, we do our best, but damage does sometimes occur, particularly with heavier powered wheelchairs.
Batteries on powered equipment will remain attached whenever the cart and/or wheelchair will fit upright through the aircraft bin door. Batteries must be identified as either spillable or non-spillable so the airline can establish proper dangerous goods handling. Dry cell and gel cell batteries are considered non-spillable and fewer handling requirements are necessary. It's helpful if you have this information ready and available for our employees. Battery packs showing cracks and/or damage will not be accepted for transportation.
Spillable Battery: Wet cell batteries are considered spillable and special preparation must be made before being transported by air. The battery will be accepted for transportation providing the following items are met:
- Visual inspection including removal of the battery, where necessary, reveals no obvious defects
- The battery is disconnected and terminals are insulated to prevent short circuits;
- The wheelchair or mobility aid can be loaded, stowed, secured and unloaded in an upright position
- If the battery is removed, it must be carried in a strong, rigid packaging under the following conditions:
- The packaging must be leak-tight and impervious to battery fluid. An inner liner may be used to satisfy this requirement if there is absorbent material placed inside of the liner and the liner has a leak-proof closure;
- The battery must be protected against short circuits, secured upright in the packaging, and be packaged with enough compatible absorbent material to completely absorb liquid contents in the event of rupture of the battery
Non-Spillable Battery: Dry cell and/or gel cell batteries are considered non-spillable and fewer requirements are necessary for air transportation. If your wheelchair or mobility aid is powered by a non-spillable battery that can be stowed upright in the cargo bin of the aircraft, the battery should not need to be removed providing the following:
- There must be at least one effective means designed into the wheelchair or mobility aid in order to prevent accidental activation or possible short-circuiting. If no effective way of preventing accidental activation of the device can be determined, then the battery cables will be removed and the battery terminals will be insulated to prevent short circuits.
- The battery must be securely attached to the wheelchair or mobility aid, and fully enclosed in a rigid housing that is properly marked.