All airlines Europe
Finnair
Powered chairs need the airline’s prior approval · carried free · 48 h notice · no watt-hour cap on an installed battery.
- Advance notice
- 48hours before departure
- Powered wheelchair
- Conditional
- Lithium, battery installed
- No stated limit
- Cost to carry
- Free
Who to contact
Transcribed from the airline’s own pages, exactly as it labels them.
- PhoneFinland — Finnair customer service (fallback if you cannot fill in the special assistance form)
- Online form
- Online form
Finnair routes special-assistance requests through an online form rather than a disability desk. The only telephone number printed on its accessibility pages is the general customer-service line +358 9 818 0800, offered as the fallback "if you are unable to fill in the form for any reason". The per-country phone list on finnair.com/en/customer-care-and-contact-information is JavaScript-rendered and returned no numbers. On flights to/from the USA a Complaint Resolution Official is available at any time on request from any ground or cabin crew member.
Read it from the source
Powered wheelchairs & batteries
The part that goes wrong. Battery chemistry and watt-hours decide whether your chair flies, and the rules differ depending on whether the battery can be removed.
"All electric wheelchairs and other battery-powered mobility aids require prior approval from the airline." The total number of large mobility aids in the hold "may be limited based on space availability on the flight".
Wheelchairs, other mobility aids and medical devices (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
Accepted, but "All electric wheelchairs and other battery-powered mobility aids require prior approval from the airline." The battery need not be removed if the design of the aid protects it and it is securely attached; otherwise it must be removed. No watt-hour limit while installed; each removed battery max 300 Wh; max 2 spares (1 of no more than 300 Wh, or 2 of no more than 160 Wh), carried in the cabin.
Wheelchairs, other mobility aids and medical devices (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
Finnair states there is no cap in this case: "There is no maximum watt-hour limit if the battery or batteries remain installed in the mobility aid." A battery that is removed is capped at 300 Wh.
Wheelchairs, other mobility aids and medical devices (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
"Each battery removed from the mobility aid must not exceed 300 Wh." Removed batteries are transported in the cabin.
Wheelchairs, other mobility aids and medical devices (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
"Max. 2 spare batteries, either 1 battery of no more than 300 Wh; or 2 batteries, each of no more than 160 Wh." Spares are transported in the cabin.
Wheelchairs, other mobility aids and medical devices (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
Lithium-ion: max 2 spares (1 x no more than 300 Wh, or 2 x no more than 160 Wh each). Non-spillable: max 1 spare. Other dry/nickel: max 2. Spillable wet: none.
Wheelchairs, other mobility aids and medical devices (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
"The battery doesn't need to be removed if the design of the mobility aid can provide adequate protection to the battery or batteries and they are attached securely. Otherwise, they need to be removed." Spillable batteries may stay only if the aid can be loaded upright.
Wheelchairs, other mobility aids and medical devices (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
Gel, nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal-hydride, sealed-lead-acid and dry cells accepted, but "All electric wheelchairs and other battery-powered mobility aids require prior approval from the airline." The battery may stay if the aid's design protects it and it is securely attached. Spares: max 1 non-spillable, max 2 other; spare and removed batteries travel in the cargo hold.
Wheelchairs, other mobility aids and medical devices (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
Accepted, but "All electric wheelchairs and other battery-powered mobility aids require prior approval from the airline." "The battery can remain if the mobility aid can be loaded to the cargo hold in an upright position. If not, the battery needs to be removed." No spare spillable batteries are permitted; removed batteries travel in the cargo hold.
Wheelchairs, other mobility aids and medical devices (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
"To ensure safe transport, all batteries must be properly prepared. This includes disconnecting the battery, protecting exposed terminals from short-circuiting and preventing accidental activation of the mobility aid. Please follow the manufacturer's instructions."
Wheelchairs, other mobility aids and medical devices (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
"If you have an electric wheelchair or scooter, please bring the user manual with you to ensure its proper handling. Remember to also bring any tools that may be needed to prepare the device for the flight. There are no tools available at the airports." No watt-hour certificate or MSDS is demanded.
Wheelchairs, other mobility aids and medical devices (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
Hold storage space, not a stated chair limit — Finnair's own footnote: "The maximum dimensions are the hold storage space's maximum dimensions". Per aircraft: A319/A320/A321 130x130x100 cm; A330/A350 135x135x150 cm; ATR 72 150x50x143 cm; Embraer 190 140x70x71 cm. Smallest figure on each axis shown here. Cargo-door apertures are published separately in aircraft_hold_note.
Wheelchairs, other mobility aids and medical devices (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
Same per-aircraft hold table: 300 kg on A319/A320/A321 and A330/A350; 200 kg on Norra ATR 72 and Embraer 190.
Wheelchairs, other mobility aids and medical devices (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
"Electric wheelchairs and scooters are sometimes preferred to be checked in at the check-in counter. This allows a smoother preparation of the device and its loading into the aircraft hold." Return may be at the arrival gate or delayed by airport layout or re-screening.
Wheelchairs, other mobility aids and medical devices (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
Remove all easily detachable parts and either carry them in hand baggage or attach them securely. Do not leave anything you need in flight in a chair going to the hold.
Manual wheelchairs
"You can bring both electric and manual wheelchairs and other mobility aids on our flights." Carried in the hold; walkers and shower chairs are also accepted.
Wheelchairs, other mobility aids and medical devices (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
Canes, elbow crutches or a manual foldable wheelchair may be brought into the cabin in addition to the carry-on allowance, up to 55 x 40 x 23 cm and 12 kg. On direct A330/A350 flights to and from the USA one foldable manual wheelchair may be stowed in a dedicated cabin space, first-come first-served.
Wheelchairs, other mobility aids and medical devices (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
"On our direct flights to and from the United States, operated with Airbus A330 and A350 aircraft, we may be able to store one foldable manual wheelchair in the cabin. The maximum size... is (length x width x height) 33 cm x 92 cm x 107 cm (13 x 36 x 42 in)" and it must fit without removing wheels. First-come, first-served. Other cabin mobility aids: max 55 x 40 x 23 cm, 12 kg.
Wheelchairs, other mobility aids and medical devices (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
Hold storage space, not a stated chair limit: Finnair's footnote reads "The maximum dimensions are the hold storage space's maximum dimensions" (the cargo-door apertures are listed separately). Smallest figure on each axis across the per-aircraft table "Maximum size for wheelchairs and mobility aids in the hold of the aircraft": length 130 cm (A319/A320/A321), width 50 cm (ATR 72), height 71 cm (Embraer 190). No single aircraft is this tight in all three. Full table in aircraft_hold_note.
Wheelchairs, other mobility aids and medical devices (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
Per-aircraft hold limits: 300 kg (661 lbs) on Finnair A319/A320/A321 and A330/A350; 200 kg (440 lbs) on Norra-operated ATR 72 and Embraer 190. 200 kg is the binding fleet-wide figure.
Wheelchairs, other mobility aids and medical devices (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
"At most airports, you can use your own wheelchair or walker up to the departure gate." On arrival an assistant meets you "with either an airport wheelchair or your own mobility aid, depending on when you checked your mobility aid in"; airport layout or re-screening may delay delivery to the arrival gate.
Wheelchairs, other mobility aids and medical devices (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
Finnair asks in advance whether the chair is electric or manual, whether it folds, its folded dimensions and weight, the battery type and how the battery is removed, and whether you travel with an assistant.
Booking & cost
"If you are bringing a wheelchair or other mobility aid on your flight, let us know at least 48 hours before your flight departure." The same 48 h deadline applies to assistance, an on-board wheelchair on A319/A320/A321, seating aids and medical devices.
Wheelchairs, other mobility aids and medical devices (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29 Special assistance at the airport and services on board (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
"You can inform us about your wheelchair or other mobility aid through our special assistance form or customer service. You can track the status of your request in Manage booking."
Wheelchairs, other mobility aids and medical devices (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29 Special assistance at the airport and services on board (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
"You can bring two mobility aids and necessary medical devices on our flights at no extra cost." If a cabin aid exceeds the cabin size/weight limits it goes in the hold "with no additional charge".
Wheelchairs, other mobility aids and medical devices (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
"You can bring two mobility aids and necessary medical devices on our flights at no extra cost."
Wheelchairs, other mobility aids and medical devices (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
"If you experience an issue for example with the assistance service, your wheelchair or other mobility aid during your journey to or from the USA with Finnair, you have the right to speak with a Complaint Resolution Official (CRO). CROs are available at any time during our operations." Finnair publishes no Montreal Convention SDR figure or ACAA full-value rule on its accessibility pages.
Special needs claims on USA flights (ACAA / CRO) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
On board
"All our flights operated with Airbus A330 and A350 aircraft are equipped with an onboard wheelchair." On A321/A320/A319 an onboard wheelchair (WCOB) is available only if requested at least 48 h before departure via the special assistance form. Not stated for Norra ATR 72 / Embraer 190.
Wheelchairs, other mobility aids and medical devices (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29 Special assistance at the airport and services on board (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
A330 and A350 aircraft "also have one slightly larger lavatory that can accommodate the onboard wheelchair". Finnair publishes no accessible lavatory for its narrowbody or Norra fleet.
Wheelchairs, other mobility aids and medical devices (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
Cabin crew can guide you to the lavatory and bring the onboard wheelchair, "however, the cabin crew is not permitted to lift you or otherwise provide physical assistance with your mobility". A330/A350 carry an ableSling transfer sling for Business Class seats, but you need your own assistant to use it.
Wheelchairs, other mobility aids and medical devices (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29 Special assistance at the airport and services on board (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
"All our aircraft have seats with movable armrests to help you easily transfer to your seat." Seating accommodations are made via the special assistance form and an assistant is seated adjacent. Finnair cannot supply seat-raising cushions. Approved own safety devices: AMSAFE CARES harness, Firefly GoTo seat, Crelling Model 27.
Wheelchairs, other mobility aids and medical devices (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29 Special assistance at the airport and services on board (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
Fleet detail. Finnair publishes a per-aircraft table. Max. mobility-aid dimensions (length x width x height) / max weight / cargo-hold door (width x height): A319/A320/A321 — 130 x 130 x 100 cm (51 x 51 x 39 in), 300 kg, door 182 x 124 cm (71.5 x 48.5 in). A330/A350 — 135 x 135 x 150 cm (53 x 53 x 59 in), 300 kg, door A330 270 x 170 cm (106 x 66.5 in) / A350 291 x 176 cm (114.5 x 69 in). ATR 72 (Norra) — 150 x 50 x 143 cm (59 x 19.5 x 56 in), 200 kg, door 129 x 150 cm (50.5 x 59 in). Embraer 190 (Norra) — 140 x 70 x 71 cm (55 x 27.5 x 27.9 in), 200 kg, door 110 x 90 cm (43 x 35 in). Finnair states the max dimensions are the hold storage space's maximum dimensions, are smaller than the door aperture, and that the number of large mobility aids per flight may be limited by space.
Worth knowing
Finnair is unusually precise: it publishes both the usable hold dimensions and the cargo-door aperture per aircraft type and explicitly warns that the two are not the same. Watch the ATR 72 width limit of 50 cm — narrower than almost any power chair — and the Embraer 190 height limit of 71 cm; the Norra-operated regional fleet is the binding constraint on Finnair's network. Finnair states there is NO watt-hour cap for a lithium battery that stays installed in the chair, but 300 Wh for one that is removed. finnair.com returns HTTP 403 to a direct fetch; every page was read through a reader proxy. Finnair's per-country telephone list is JavaScript-rendered and could not be captured; only the general Finnish number +358 9 818 0800 appears in page text.
Sources
Every figure above traces to one of these.
- s1 Wheelchairs, other mobility aids and medical devices (opens in a new tab) · official · read 2026-07-29
- s2 Special assistance at the airport and services on board (opens in a new tab) · official · read 2026-07-29
- s3 Special needs claims on USA flights (ACAA / CRO) (opens in a new tab) · official · read 2026-07-29
- s4 FAQ: How can I book wheelchair assistance at the airport? (opens in a new tab) · official · read 2026-07-29
Record quality
Record status researched · confidence high · 4 official sources · 3 contacts · 100% of the fields this reference tracks are answered. Newest source read 29 July 2026, the day before this page was built. What these mean.