Last verified: 7 November 2026. Checked against Qatar Airways page. Airline rules can change, so open the linked pages before you fly.
Qatar Airways wheelchair assistance can be requested when you book, or any time up to 48 hours before departure. This guide shows how to ask for it, what the three service levels mean, and what to do if you travel with your own wheelchair or an electric one.
Quick answer
- How to request: Use Manage booking on qatarairways.com, the Qatar Airways app, or your local Qatar Airways office.
- When to request: At booking, or up to 48 hours before departure.
- When to arrive: At least 3 hours before your flight.
- Service levels: WCHR (to the aircraft ramp), WCHS (up the aircraft steps), WCHC (to your cabin seat).
- Your own wheelchair: Travels at no extra charge. One mobility aid per passenger.
- Electric wheelchair or scooter: Needs approval. Send the details at least 48 hours before travel. Earlier is safer.
How do you request wheelchair assistance on Qatar Airways?
You request it through Manage booking on qatarairways.com, through the Qatar Airways mobile app, or by contacting your local Qatar Airways office. You can do this while booking or up to 48 hours before departure. Qatar Airways explains the process on its disability and medical assistance page.
- Open Manage booking with your booking reference.
- Choose the wheelchair service level that fits you (see the table below).
- Tell Qatar Airways if you will bring your own wheelchair or mobility aid.
- Send your request at least 48 hours before departure.
- At the airport, ask for help at the check-in counters, information desks or special handling counters.
What is the difference between WCHR, WCHS and WCHC?
The three codes show how far the airline helps you. The higher the need, the further the help goes.
| Code | Where the help goes | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| WCHR | Inside the terminal, up to the aircraft ramp | You can use aircraft steps if needed, but find it hard to walk long distances |
| WCHS | Inside the terminal and up or down the aircraft steps | You cannot climb or descend steps alone, but you can make your own way to and from your seat |
| WCHC | All the way to your cabin seat and back | You need help to get to and from your seat on board |
If you ask for WCHC and also bring your own wheelchair, a different wheelchair is used to take you to your seat.
What happens at the airport?
Airport staff take you to your gate and onto the aircraft. After landing, they take you from the aircraft through immigration, customs and baggage collection to the drop-off point. You can also get priority boarding, and your checked bag gets a special tag so it comes out faster.
If you asked for assistance, Qatar Airways recommends arriving at least 3 hours before your flight. This gives the team time to set everything up.
Can you fly with your own wheelchair?
Yes. Tell Qatar Airways when you book, or at least 48 hours before travel. Your wheelchair or mobility aid is carried at no extra charge, but this covers one item per passenger. Extra items may cost money. You can also take a cane, crutches or a walking stick on board.
Where the wheelchair goes:
- Space for at least one fully collapsible wheelchair exists in the cabin of Qatar Airways wide-body aircraft only.
- If you asked Reservations to store your wheelchair in the cabin, you get priority for that space.
- If the cabin has no room, the wheelchair is stowed at the cargo hold doorway.
Seats: Passengers who need wheelchair assistance are given seats with movable armrests, which makes it easier to move in and out of the seat. You can choose another seat, except one at an emergency exit.
Can you take an electric wheelchair or mobility scooter on Qatar Airways?
Yes, with approval. Battery-powered wheelchairs and mobility aids count as dangerous goods, so Qatar Airways must approve them before you fly. It carries them as checked baggage in the aircraft hold. It does not accept a damaged or leaking battery. The rules for each battery type are on the Qatar Airways restricted items page.
A mobility scooter counts as a mobility aid when your mobility is limited by a disability, your health, your age or a short-term problem such as a broken leg. Small lithium-powered vehicles such as e-scooters and hoverboards are not allowed at all, even with the battery removed.
When to send your details: The disability page asks for wheelchair and battery details at least 48 hours before travel. The dangerous goods page asks you to contact Qatar Airways at least 72 hours ahead for items that need permission. Because the two pages differ, send your request 72 hours or more before you fly.
Rules by battery type
| Battery type | What Qatar Airways says |
|---|---|
| Lithium-ion | If the battery stays attached, there is no limit on its watt-hour (Wh) rating. If you remove it, it must not be over 300 Wh. Removed and spare batteries go in a protective pouch and travel in the cabin. You may carry one spare up to 300 Wh, or two spares of up to 160 Wh each. |
| Non-spillable (wet, nickel metal hydride or dry) | Removed and spare batteries must be in strong, rigid packaging and travel in the cargo compartment. You may carry one spare wet non-spillable battery, or two spare nickel metal hydride or dry batteries. |
| Spillable | Approval is needed. The battery should have spill-resistant vent caps where possible. If the wheelchair cannot stay upright during loading and travel, the battery must be removed and packed in leak-tight rigid packaging with the right labels. Qatar Airways gives the full steps when you ask for approval. |
For all types, take steps to stop the wheelchair from switching on by accident. If part of your trip is on another airline, contact Qatar Airways, because each airline has its own rules.
What to send with your request
- Battery type (lithium-ion, sealed lead-acid, nickel metal hydride or dry)
- Battery rating in Wh (volts multiplied by amp-hours)
- Whether the battery stays attached or can be removed
- Wheelchair weight and size, folded or reclined if it folds
- Whether the wheelchair folds
Size and weight limits
Qatar Airways did not give a fixed maximum size or weight on the pages we checked. It asks you to send the weight and dimensions with your approval request, so check your model’s numbers before you book.
For reference, other airlines flying from the UAE publish their own limits. Etihad accepts wheelchairs up to 120 cm high and 60 kg, and asks for details if yours is larger or heavier. flydubai accepts wheelchairs up to 100 kg and 124 × 114 × 80 cm, and asks for approval above 100 kg. These are examples only. Qatar Airways’ limits may be different.
Tip: Measure your wheelchair or scooter when folded or reclined, weigh it with the battery, and keep these numbers ready when you contact Qatar Airways.
If your wheelchair is hard to fly with
A lighter wheelchair is easier to handle and easier to get approved. If you are choosing a chair for travel, look at our cabin wheelchair or our range of electric wheelchairs. If you would rather not fly with your own equipment, you can rent a wheelchair in Dubai or rent a mobility scooter for your stay.
What help do you get on board?
Qatar Airways has on-board wheelchairs on its Airbus A330, A350 and A380, and Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft. Cabin crew can set up your meal and open packaging, help you move between your seat and the lavatory using the on-board wheelchair where available, and help with your seat belt.
Cabin crew do not:
- Lift or carry passengers
- Help inside the lavatory
- Feed passengers
- Give individual help in an emergency
If you need help with personal care or eating, or you cannot follow safety instructions or react quickly in an emergency, you must travel with a personal companion. Qatar Airways lists what crew can and cannot do on its travel assistance page.
What help is there at Doha (Hamad International Airport)?
Hamad International Airport is fully barrier free. Its special assistance page lists these services:
- Elevators, escalators, ramps, walkways and a passenger train
- Free wheelchairs in the terminal (ask at an information desk)
- An adapted desk in every check-in row
- A lounge for special assistance travellers, with a trained attendant
- Reserved parking for passengers with reduced mobility
- The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard, and a quiet sensory room at the Muzn Lounge
Passengers who need special assistance are usually boarded first and leave the aircraft last. Tell your airline in advance if you want a personal helper. If you are changing planes in Doha, ask Qatar Airways to confirm that assistance is set for every flight on your booking.
Do you need a medical form?
Only if Qatar Airways tells you to. If you are asked to fill in a Medical Information Form (MEDIF), it must be in English and sent no less than 48 hours and no more than 7 days before departure. Passengers with hidden disabilities need a medical certificate, sent at least 48 hours before the flight.
Does Qatar Airways charge for wheelchair assistance?
The pages we checked say your own wheelchair or mobility aid travels at no extra charge, with one item per passenger. They do not list a price for the assistance service itself. Ask when you send your request, and keep the answer in writing.
Your timeline
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| When you book, or up to 48 hours before | Request wheelchair assistance and say if you bring your own wheelchair |
| 72 hours or more before (48 hours is the stated minimum) | Send battery and wheelchair details for approval |
| 48 hours to 7 days before | Send your MEDIF, if Qatar Airways asked for one |
| Day of travel | Arrive at least 3 hours early and ask at the check-in or special handling counter |
Frequently asked questions
How do I request wheelchair assistance on Qatar Airways?
You can request it when you book or any time up to 48 hours before departure. Use Manage booking on qatarairways.com, the Qatar Airways mobile app, or contact your local Qatar Airways office.
What is the difference between WCHR, WCHS and WCHC?
WCHR gives help in the terminal up to the aircraft ramp, for passengers who can use stairs but cannot walk far. WCHS adds help up and down the aircraft steps, for passengers who cannot use stairs alone but can reach their seat. WCHC gives help all the way to the cabin seat and back, for passengers who need help to get to and from their seat.
How early should I arrive at the airport if I need wheelchair assistance?
Qatar Airways recommends arriving at least 3 hours before your flight. This gives staff time to arrange your assistance.
Can I take my own wheelchair on Qatar Airways, and does it cost extra?
Yes. Tell Qatar Airways when you book, or at least 48 hours before travel. One wheelchair or mobility aid per passenger travels at no extra charge, and extra items may cost more. Cabin space for one fully collapsible wheelchair exists on wide-body aircraft only. If the cabin has no room, the wheelchair is stowed at the cargo hold doorway.
Can I take an electric wheelchair or mobility scooter on Qatar Airways?
Yes, with approval. Battery-powered wheelchairs and scooters are dangerous goods, so Qatar Airways must approve them first. Send details of the wheelchair and its batteries at least 48 hours before travel, and earlier if you can. The wheelchair is carried as checked baggage in the hold. Damaged or leaking batteries are not accepted.
Is there a size or weight limit for my wheelchair or scooter?
Qatar Airways does not list one fixed limit on the pages we checked. It asks for your wheelchair’s weight and dimensions when you request approval, so send them at least 48 hours before departure.
Will cabin crew help me use the toilet on board?
Cabin crew can help you move between your seat and the lavatory using the on-board wheelchair, where available. They do not lift or carry passengers, and they cannot help inside the lavatory. If you need that kind of help, travel with a personal companion.
Will I get wheelchair help at Doha airport if I change planes there?
Hamad International Airport is barrier free and has free wheelchairs in the terminal. Passengers who need special assistance are usually boarded first and leave the aircraft last. Tell Qatar Airways in advance so a personal helper can be arranged, and ask it to confirm assistance for each flight on your booking.
