Flying with an electric wheelchair from South Africa
Flying with an electric wheelchair from South Africa
Battery rules, wheelchair assistance and what FlySafair, Airlink, SAA, LIFT and 35+ international airlines need from you, explained simply.
Please note: this page is a guide only. Airline rules, forms, fees and contact details change often, sometimes without notice to us. Always contact your airline directly to confirm what applies to your flight, before you book and again before you travel. The airline always has the final say.
Can you take an electric wheelchair on a plane?
Yes. Airlines carry electric (motorised) wheelchairs free of charge, in the hold. If the lithium-ion battery is removable, it must be 300 Wh or less and travels with you in the cabin. Send the airline your chair's weight, size and battery Wh at least 72 hours before you fly.
Words you'll see on this page
Eight terms airlines use when you book, explained simply.
How big your battery is. Airlines set their limits in Wh, and it is printed on the battery label.
The luggage area under the cabin. Your chair travels here, free of charge.
The global airline association. Almost every airline follows its battery rules.
The safety test every lithium battery must pass before it can fly. Ask us for the summary.
The metal contacts on the battery. Cover them with tape or caps so they can't spark.
A lever that lets the chair be pushed by hand with the motors off. Ground crew need it.
Codes for how much help you need at the airport. See which fits you.
Airlink's medical and special needs form, sent at least 72 hours before you fly.
Lithium wheelchair battery rules for flying
Airlines follow the IATA battery rules (2026 edition). For most folding electric wheelchairs it comes down to this: one removable battery up to 300 Wh, carried in the cabin, with the chair in the hold. The table covers the other situations.
| Your situation | Limit | Where it travels | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| One removable lithium batteryMost of our chairs | Up to 300 Wh | Battery in the cabin, chair in the hold | Take it out, cover the terminals, put it in a protective pouch |
| Two removable lithium batteries | FlySafair, SAA, BA and most others allow up to 160 Wh each. IATA's 2026 guidance caps removed batteries at 300 Wh in total, so confirm with your airline. | Cabin | Get written approval from your airline first |
| Lithium battery built into the chair | No Wh limit under IATA. Lufthansa, SWISS and Edelweiss allow at most two of up to 160 Wh each, and Condor has stricter rules for bookings from 1 October 2026. | Stays in the chair, in the hold | Switch the chair off as the manual explains. Over 300 Wh, the airline may ask for extra safety steps, such as flying at 25% charge or less. |
| Spare lithium batteries | Up to 300 Wh of spares in total under IATA's 2026 guidance. Some airlines word it as one up to 300 Wh or two up to 160 Wh each, so ask your airline. | Cabin | Cover the terminals and tell the airline when you book |
| Sealed lead-acid or gel battery | Must be non-spillable; ask your airline what proof it wants | Normally stays in the chair, in the hold | Cover the terminals; if removed, pack it in rigid packaging for the hold |
| Wet or spillable battery | Strict rules; FlySafair won't accept them | Hold, upright | Speak to the airline before booking |
The battery must have passed the UN 38.3 safety test and show its Wh rating. If staff can't see the rating on the battery or your paperwork, they can refuse it, so carry proof. Read IATA's guidance for battery-powered mobility aids.
How many watt-hours is my battery?
Airlines ask for your battery size in watt-hours (Wh). Find the volts (V) and amp-hours (Ah) on the battery label and multiply them.
- Up to 150 WhFine, even with two batteries
- 150 to 300 WhFine as one battery
- Over 300 WhSpeak to your airline first
Label shows mAh? Divide by 1,000 to get Ah (6,000 mAh is 6 Ah). The calculator does this for you.
Which electric wheelchairs are "airline approved"?
There's no official "airline approved" certificate, and no regulator approves a wheelchair for every flight. A chair is airline-friendly when its battery is tested, labelled and within the limits; then each airline approves it for each trip. Our folding electric wheelchairs each run on one removable lithium battery within the limits.
| Chair | Weight | Carries | Battery | Flies? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aero Lite | 10 kg | 145 kg | 187 Wh | Yes |
| Explorer Lite | 15 kg | 110 kg | 144 Wh | Yes |
| Aero Pro | 15 kg | 136 kg | 240 Wh | Yes* |
| Aero Hybrid | 16 kg | 150 kg | 144 Wh | Yes |
| Explorer Air | 16 kg | 150 kg | 187 Wh | Yes |
| Explorer Air Reclining | 18 kg | 150 kg | 187 Wh | Yes |
| Aero Pro HD | 18 kg | 220 kg | 249 Wh | Yes |
| Explorer | 24 kg | 140 kg | 288 Wh | Yes |
| SmartChair Reclining | 24 kg | 150 kg | 288 Wh | Yes |
| SmartChair Auto-Folding | 26 kg | 150 kg | 288 Wh | Yes |
Weights are without the battery. *Aero Pro: fly with the standard 10 Ah battery; the optional 20 Ah battery (480 Wh) is over the limit. Ask us for your chair's battery details and test documents before you fly.
What the airline will ask you
| They'll ask | Where to find it |
|---|---|
| Make and model | Your invoice or the label on the frame |
| Weight and folded size | The product page or manual. Weigh it with and without the battery. |
| Battery type and Wh | The battery label: lithium-ion, V x Ah = Wh |
| Number of batteries and spares | Count them, including any spare you want to bring |
| Is the battery removable? | Yes, on all our folding chairs |
| How to switch it off and freewheel it | The manual. Write it on a tag on the chair too. |
| The help you need | WCHR, WCHS or WCHC (see below) |
Wheelchair assistance and electric wheelchairs on South African airlines
| Airline | Notice for an electric chair | Limits | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlySafair | 72 hours | Up to 136 kg, 114 cm wide, 86 cm high | Free |
| Airlink | 72 hours (MEDA form) | Battery chairs over 32 kg go as cargo | Free |
| SAA | 48 hours | Give type, size and weight | Free |
| LIFT | 48 hours | Battery chairs over 32 kg go as cargo | Free |
| CemAir | Ask before booking | Smaller aircraft, check hold space | Check with CemAir |
FlySafair wheelchair assistance and electric wheelchairs
Add wheelchair assistance when you book online or in the app, or call 087 357 0030. FlySafair needs 48 hours' notice for a wheelchair and 72 hours for an electric mobility aid, and will send a special needs form to complete. Battery chairs up to 136 kg, 114 cm wide and 86 cm high travel free in the hold; larger or heavier battery chairs aren't accepted. Lithium batteries come out and travel in the cabin; spillable batteries aren't accepted. FlySafair says insuring the chair is your responsibility.
Airlink wheelchair assistance and the MEDA form
Airlink asks for its MEDA (medical and special needs) form and indemnity form at least 72 hours before your first flight. Submit it online, email specialassistance@flyairlink.com, or call +27 11 451 7300 (option 1). Your own battery chair travels free up to 32 kg; heavier battery chairs must go as cargo, which you arrange. If you fly on a MEDA form, check in at the counter, not online or at a kiosk.
SAA wheelchair assistance
Request assistance when you book or at least 48 hours before departure, or call +27 11 978 1111. Give the chair's type, size and weight. One wheelchair travels free as part of your baggage allowance. SAA allows a removed battery up to 300 Wh, or 160 Wh each if the chair has two.
LIFT wheelchair requests
Add a wheelchair when you book (spaces per flight are limited) using LIFT's wheelchair request form. Your own chair travels free; battery chairs over 32 kg go as cargo.
CemAir
CemAir flies smaller aircraft, so hold space is tighter. We couldn't find a published battery policy, so contact CemAir before you book.
Older guides out of date
Kulula, British Airways (Comair) and Mango no longer fly, so ignore older guides that list them.
Wheelchair assistance codes: WCHR, WCHS and WCHC
Airlines use these codes to plan your help. Choose the one that fits when you book.
| Code | Means | Help you get |
|---|---|---|
| WCHR | You can manage steps and walk to your seat, but not long distances | Wheelchair through the airport |
| WCHS | You can walk to your seat but can't manage aircraft steps | Wheelchair plus a lift or air bridge to the door |
| WCHC | You can't walk and need help to your seat | Wheelchair, lift and an aisle chair to your seat |
The airline also adds a code for your own chair's battery (for example WCLX for a removed lithium battery, or WCLB if it stays fitted). You don't need to choose one. FlySafair, Airlink, SAA and LIFT don't charge for wheelchair assistance or for carrying your own chair.
International airlines from South Africa
Most airlines want at least 48 hours' notice, carry your chair free in the hold, and follow the IATA limits above. Where an airline doesn't publish battery limits online, ask for them in writing. Routes change by season, so check when you book. Tap a region to open it.
Middle East and Asia
| Airline | Via | Notice | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emirates | Dubai | 48 hours | Give battery type, chair size and weight. Arrive 3 hours early. |
| Qatar Airways | Doha | 48 hours | Battery chairs need Qatar's approval before you fly. Follows the IATA battery limits. |
| Etihad | Abu Dhabi | 48 hours | Own chair up to 120 cm tall and 60 kg. |
| Turkish Airlines | Istanbul | 48 hours | Removed or spare batteries: one up to 300 Wh, or two up to 160 Wh each. |
| Singapore Airlines | Singapore | 48 hours | Approval needed and a UN 38.3 certificate is required. |
| Cathay Pacific | Hong Kong | As early as possible | Bring the chair's manual and UN 38.3 document. |
| Air China | Beijing, Shenzhen | When booking | Electric chairs travel in the hold only. |
| Qantas | Sydney, Perth | 48 hours, plus battery approval | Be at the airport 2 hours before. The chair is handed over at the gate 60 minutes before departure. |
Europe and the UK
| Airline | Via | Notice | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Airways | London | 48 hours | Max 140 cm long, 85 cm wide, 152 cm high. Two batteries: 160 Wh each. |
| Virgin Atlantic | London | 72 hours | Removed battery up to 300 Wh; UN 38.3 required. Give make, model, weight with battery and battery type. |
| Norse Atlantic | London Gatwick (seasonal) | 48 hours | Ask for battery approval through help.flynorse.com. |
| KLM | Amsterdam | 48 hours | Electric chairs in the hold only; size limits per aircraft. |
| Air France | Paris | 48 hours | Tell them your wheelchair type. Ask whether your electric chair is returned to you on a short Paris connection. |
| Lufthansa | Frankfurt, Munich | 48 hours, with their device form | Built-in lithium batteries: at most two of up to 160 Wh each. |
| SWISS and Edelweiss | Zurich | 48 hours | Same 160 Wh rule for built-in batteries. Send their datasheet in time. |
| Condor | Frankfurt | 48 hours, with their device form | UN 38.3 required. Stricter rules for built-in batteries on bookings from 1 October 2026. |
| Air Europa | Madrid | 48 hours | Chairs up to 150 kg and, on the 787, 90 x 90 x 125 cm. |
The Americas
| Airline | Via | Notice | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delta | Atlanta | 48 hours | Spare batteries: one up to 300 Wh, or two up to 160 Wh each. Complete their mobility device form. |
| United | Newark, Washington Dulles | 48 hours | Call their assistive device desk to confirm the battery rules. |
| LATAM | São Paulo | 24 hours | With a battery chair you must check in at the airport, not online. |
Africa and the Indian Ocean
| Airline | Via | Notice | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethiopian Airlines | Addis Ababa | 48 hours | On short connections you may not get your chair between flights. |
| Kenya Airways | Nairobi | 48 hours | Battery rules not published; get approval in writing. |
| EgyptAir | Cairo | 48 hours | Batteries with no rating marked, and wet batteries, are refused. Bring your own battery pouch. |
| Air Mauritius | Mauritius | 72 hours | Your chair is returned at baggage claim, not at stopovers or the aircraft door. |
| Air Seychelles | Seychelles | 72 hours | UN 38.3 document required. |
| Air Austral | Réunion | 7 days, at the latest 48 hours | Request help through the disability assistance page on their website. |
| Fastjet | Harare, Bulawayo, Victoria Falls | Ask early | Battery rules not published online; get approval in writing. |
| Air Zimbabwe | Harare | 48 hours | Battery rules not published online; get approval in writing. |
| Uganda Airlines | Entebbe | 48 hours | UN 38.3 needed. No Wh limit published for chairs, so get approval in writing. Check in at the airport. |
| Air Botswana, TAAG, LAM, Air Tanzania, Proflight, RwandAir | Gaborone, Luanda, Maputo, Dar es Salaam, Lusaka, Kigali | Ask early | We couldn't find published battery limits. Get approval in writing. |
| Eswatini Air | Manzini | 48 hours | Weight limit not published, so ask before booking. |
Wheelchair assistance at the airport: OR Tambo, Cape Town and King Shaka
- Book assistance through your airline, not the airport. The airline arranges help from check-in to the aircraft and from the aircraft to arrivals. With an electric chair, ask at least 72 hours ahead.
- Ask to stay in your own chair to the aircraft door. Most airlines will let you use it to the gate and return it to the aircraft door on arrival. Ask again at check-in and at the gate. Some airlines, such as Air Mauritius, return it at baggage claim instead.
- Boarding: where there's no air bridge, a lift vehicle raises you to the door. If you can't walk to your seat, staff use a narrow aisle chair.
- Photograph the chair from all sides before handing it over, so any damage is easy to prove.
Tipping isn't expected, though many travellers give a small tip to say thanks. Cape Town airport can also help from the terminal to your car: call 021 935 3737.
Preparing your chair for the hold
- Take the lithium battery out, tape or cap the terminals, and pack it in a pouch in your hand luggage.
- Switch the chair off and tape over the switch so it can't be turned on by accident.
- Remove the joystick if it detaches, or wrap it in foam. It's the part most often damaged.
- Take off the cushion and loose parts and carry them on board.
- Fold the chair and set it to freewheel so ground crew can push it.
- Attach a tag with your name, phone and flight, "lithium battery removed, in cabin", the folding steps and "please return to the aircraft door".
Charging abroad: check the label on your charger. If it says 100 to 240 V, it works overseas with a plug adapter.
Pre-flight checklist
- Find your battery's Wh on the label and photograph it.
- Book assistance and declare the chair at least 72 hours before you fly, for every airline on your trip.
- Send the details in the "What the airline will ask you" table.
- Get the approval in writing and print it.
- Carry the battery specification sheet and its UN 38.3 test summary or safety data sheet (ask us for these).
- Print the battery rules from this page, in case staff aren't sure.
- Arrive early: Emirates suggests 3 hours, KLM 4 hours for long-haul.
If your wheelchair is damaged or delayed
Check the chair before you leave the airport. Report damage at the airline's baggage desk and get a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) reference. On international flights, send a written claim within 7 days for damage, or 21 days for a delayed chair. On domestic flights the airline's own rules apply, so claim straight away. Ask the airline for a loan chair while yours is repaired, and check that your travel or household insurance covers the chair. Back home, our own technicians can repair it.
Flying with a mobility scooter
Lithium scooters follow the same battery rules. Larger scooters with sealed lead-acid or gel batteries usually keep the battery fitted, and many weigh more than Airlink's and LIFT's 32 kg limit. Read our guide to flying with a mobility scooter in South Africa. Flying in to visit family? We hire mobility scooters in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Pretoria.
Questions people ask
Can I take my electric (motorised) wheelchair on a plane in South Africa?
Yes. FlySafair, Airlink, SAA and LIFT all carry electric wheelchairs free in the hold. Tell the airline at least 72 hours before you fly and get their approval in writing.
What is the watt-hour limit for a wheelchair battery on a flight?
A lithium battery you remove from the chair may be up to 300 Wh. If the chair uses two batteries, most airlines limit each to 160 Wh, and IATA's 2026 guidance caps removed batteries at 300 Wh in total. A battery left fitted in the chair has no Wh limit under IATA rules, but still needs the airline's approval.
Is wheelchair assistance free at South African airports?
Yes. FlySafair, Airlink, SAA and LIFT don't charge for wheelchair assistance or for carrying your own chair. Book it through your airline. Other airlines may differ, so ask when booking.
Do I have to remove the battery from my electric wheelchair?
If it's designed to come out, most airlines will ask you to remove it and take it on board with the terminals covered. A battery that is built in stays in the chair, which must be switched off.
What if my battery isn't removable?
It can stay in the chair in the hold if the chair protects it and is switched off. IATA sets no Wh limit for this, but Lufthansa, SWISS and Edelweiss allow at most two batteries of up to 160 Wh each, and Condor has stricter rules for bookings from 1 October 2026.
Can I stay in my wheelchair on the plane?
Not during the flight. Your own chair travels in the hold. You can usually stay in it until the aircraft door, then move to an aisle chair or walk to your seat.
How do wheelchair users get on the plane?
Through an air bridge, or with a lift vehicle that raises you to the door. If you can't walk to your seat, staff use a narrow aisle chair. Book WCHS or WCHC so this is ready.
How do I add wheelchair assistance on FlySafair?
Add it when you book online or in the app, or call 087 357 0030. Give 72 hours' notice for an electric wheelchair and complete their special needs form.
What is the Airlink MEDA form?
It's Airlink's medical and special needs form. Send it, with the indemnity form, to specialassistance@flyairlink.com at least 72 hours before your first flight.
Do you tip wheelchair assistance staff at the airport?
It isn't required, as the service is free. Many travellers give a small tip as thanks.
What does "airline approved electric wheelchair" mean?
There's no official certificate. It means the battery is tested, labelled and within airline limits. Your airline still approves the chair for each trip.
What documents should I carry for my wheelchair battery?
The airline's approval, a photo of the battery label showing Wh, the battery specification sheet, and its UN 38.3 test summary or safety data sheet.
What do I do if the airline damages my wheelchair?
Report it at the baggage desk before leaving the airport, get a PIR reference and photos, and send a written claim. On international flights the claim is due within 7 days for damage.
Can I use my wheelchair charger overseas?
Check the charger label. If it says 100 to 240 V, it works in most countries with a plug adapter.
Planning a trip?
Tell us where you're flying and we'll help you choose a chair that travels well and prepare the battery details for your airline.
Sources
- IATA, Battery-Powered Wheelchairs and Mobility Aids guidance (2026) and Dangerous Goods Regulations 67th edition, section 2.3.2 (lithium batteries: 2.3.2.4)
- FlySafair, Special Passenger Assistance
- Airlink, Special Assistance
- SAA, Special Assistance
- LIFT, Wheelchair requests
- Accessibility and special assistance pages of each international airline listed
- Airports Company South Africa, Cape Town International
- Carriage by Air Act 1946, Montreal Convention Article 31 (claim time limits)
This guide is general information, checked on 9 October 2026. It isn't legal advice, and each airline has the final say on your chair. Always confirm with your airline before you travel.