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Easy travel

Traveling alone? We will walk you through it.

Step-by-step help for older travelers on their own: what to do when you land, how to find your next gate, what happens to your bags, and how to ask for help. Large letters, plain words, and pages you can print.

Where will you change planes?

Choose the airport. You will see exactly what to follow, step by step.

9 airports

Before you fly

  1. Ask for help, in advance

    Tell your airline at least 48 hours before you fly that you want help between flights. Say: "Please add wheelchair or buggy assistance to my connecting flight." On flights to or from Europe and the USA this is free; on other routes ask the airline.

  2. Choose an easy connection

    Book both flights on one ticket and leave at least 3 hours between them. On one ticket your bags go through and the airline must look after you if the first flight is late.

  3. Keep a help card in your pocket

    Print the help card on this page, fill in your details and keep it in your pocket, not in your bag.

  4. Medicines and papers in your hand luggage

    Medicines in their boxes, a note from your doctor, your passport, your tickets and the address of where you are going.

  5. Charge your phone and tell your family

    Send your family the flight numbers and times. Take a charger or a small power bank. Wear comfortable shoes.

When you land, at any airport

  1. Stay in your seat

    If you asked for help, stay seated until the other passengers have left. A member of staff will come with a wheelchair or will walk with you.

  2. Take all your hand luggage

    Check the seat pocket and the floor. Keep your passport and boarding pass together in one pocket.

  3. Follow the signs that say Transfer or Connections

    Do not follow Exit, Baggage or Arrivals unless the staff member with you says so.

  4. Show your boarding pass to the first staff member you see

    Say: "I need help to my connecting flight." They will point, walk with you, or call someone.

  5. Find your gate on the screen

    Look for your flight number or the name of your city. If the gate is not shown yet, wait near the screens or ask at the transfer desk.

  6. Sit near your gate and keep listening

    Gates can change. If you are unsure, ask anyone in uniform. Do not leave the area.

What happens to your bags

One ticket

Your bags are usually sent straight to your last airport. Look at the paper tag on your bag: it shows the code of the last airport. You do not collect them on the way.

Separate tickets

You must collect your bags, go through passport control, then check in again for the next flight. This takes much longer. Ask someone to help you, and plan at least 4 hours.

If a bag does not arrive, go to the baggage desk at your last airport before leaving. Keep the tag you were given at check-in.

Asking for assistance

Ask your airline or travel agent to add special assistance to your booking. The airline uses these codes. You do not need to remember them; just tell them which one fits you.

  • WCHRI can walk and climb steps, but not long distances. I need a wheelchair or buggy between the plane, the gate and the exits.
  • WCHSI cannot climb steps, but I can walk a little on flat ground.
  • WCHCI cannot walk. I need help all the way to my seat.

  1. Contact the airline or your travel agent as early as possible, and at least 48 hours before the flight.

  2. Ask them to write the code in your booking, for every flight, including the connection.

  3. Ask for it again when you check in at the airport, and say that you are traveling alone.

  4. Arrive at the airport 3 hours early. Ask the airline desk where the assistance meeting point is.

My help card

Print this page, fill in the lines by hand, and keep the card in your pocket.

I am traveling alone. I need help to find my connecting flight. Please show me the way, or call someone who can help me. Thank you.

My name:
My phone number:
Someone to call:
Where I am going:

Airports change signs, gates and rules. This guide is general help, not an official instruction. Always follow the staff and the screens, and check with your airline.