Can I add a wheelchair or special assistance request for a passenger when I book a flight through your API?

Yes, in most cases you can add a special assistance request at the time of booking through our flight API. The request is attached to the passenger record and sent to the airline along with the name and flight details, so your staff do not have to call the airline separately for every booking.

The important thing to understand is that sending the request is not the same as having it confirmed. Most airlines accept the request first and confirm it afterwards, sometimes straight away and sometimes after a review. Wheelchair assistance also comes in different categories, depending on whether the passenger can walk a short distance, manage steps, or needs to stay seated throughout, so your staff should choose the one that actually matches the passenger rather than picking any wheelchair option. Needs such as an assistance dog, oxygen on board, or a passenger travelling with a carer are treated differently by each airline and some of them ask for a medical form or a direct call before they will agree.

Low cost carriers and some content sources are more limited. A few accept only a short list of standard requests, a few expect you to arrange assistance on their own site or with their call centre, and some charge for certain equipment. Where an airline does not accept the request through the API at all, we cannot pass it on for you, and your team will need to contact the carrier directly using the airline reference.

When you book, add the request, keep a note of it on the booking, and check with the airline a few days before departure that it has been confirmed.