Frequently Asked Questions

Please contact Air China at least 72 hours before the flight departure if stretcher service is needed.

Both manual and electronic wheelchairs are transported as checked baggage. They qualify as free checked-baggage so they are not included in baggage allowance limits. If a wheelchair is needed during check-in and has been given the consent of Air China, it will be delivered at the departure gate before boarding.

If an electronic wheelchair is checked, the packing should be as follows:

• Wheelchair with leak-proof battery – Ensure the battery does not have a short circuit and it should be securely installed on the wheelchair.
• Wheelchair without leak-proof battery – The battery should not be installed on the wheelchair and should have protective packaging. It should be leak-proof and fixed with a belt, fixture or bracket on the pallet or in the cargo compartment. Ensure the battery does not have a short circuit and it is filled with suitable absorption material to absorb any leaked liquid.
• The packing will be marked as either “BATTERY, WET, WHEELCHAIR”, or “BATTERY, WET, WITH MOBILITY AID”. Additional labels will be added saying “CORROSIVE” and “UPWARD”.

Please contact Air China at least 24 hours prior to the flight departure if you need a wheelchair for any part of your trip. If you need an on-board wheelchair, please contact Air China at least 36 hours prior to flight departure. Please arrive at the airport two hours before departure to allow sufficient time for completing check-in procedures Please note that there is no charge for wheelchair services.

WCHR refers to wheelchairs provided to passengers who are able to board and disembark aircraft independently, walk to their seats in the cabin and require assistance only between terminal buildings, tarmac and aircraft.

Applicants for WCHR please register with the ticketing office of Air China (including sales agents) within the prescribed time limit:

• For US flights, please apply no later than 48 hours before scheduled flight departure.
• For international and regional flights other than the US, please apply no later than 72 hours before scheduled flight departure.
• For domestic flights in China, please apply no later than 24 hours before scheduled flight departure. 

Trained guide dogs or hearing dogs traveling with the vision/ speech/hearing -impaired passengers are allowed into the cabin subject to our consent. For a passenger who needs to travel with a service dog, request must be made at our ticketing office in the city of flight departure no later than 48 hours (included) before flight departure.

We provide wheelchairs for free for passengers completely immobile or with reduced mobility. Our service agent will select the proper wheelchair based on the actual physical condition of the passenger in question.

(1) Wheelchair Ramp: Such wheelchairs are provided at every airport to passengers with reduced mobility for use inside the terminal.

(2) Wheelchair Cabin: Such wheelchairs are provided on all international/regional routes and selected domestic routes to passengers who need a wheelchair to get into the cabin and get to the seat.

(3) Wheelchair Steps: Such wheelchairs are provided to passengers who are unable to ascend/descend the steps. Where the aircraft is not parked by a boarding bridge, we provide lifting/lowering vehicle to help such passengers embark and disembark.

No, you cannot. Your own wheelchair should be carried as checked baggage. It does not count towards your free baggage allowance, which means its carriage is free of charge.