Airport Guide

Special Needs

Pre-Travel Preparation
To ensure that all your special needs are met, check your airline's website or call their reservation number to discuss any of the particular services you may require for your trip (*see below). Contact TSA to find out about special assistance at the checkpoint (**see below). It is best if you contact your airline and TSA at least 72 hours in advance of your trip. Be sure to let them know what level of assistance will be needed, any dietary restrictions, oxygen requirement, if you will be traveling with a companion and any other concerns. No reservations are required for wheelchair assistance: you can pre-arrange this service through your airline or ask for assistance upon arrival at the airport. Or, pre-arrange wheelchair assistance 716-633-3726

*Special Needs Contact information below for each of the BUF airlines:

**Contact information for TSA:
TSA cares, or relay service (855) 787-2227, or e-mail TSA-contactcenter@dhs.gov
In Buffalo, Passenger Support Specialists available at (716) 635-1200. Many agents are trained in sign language.

Aira - Visual Service

Aira.io

Aira is a service that connects blind and low-vision people to highly trained, remotely-located agents. Through an app on your smartphone, Aira delivers instant access to visual information at the touch of a button – enhancing everyday efficiency, engagement, and independence.

Autistic Travelers

Acclimation sessions for anyone diagnosed with Autism who will be traveling in the near future are available. This will help familiarize the individual with the surroundings of the airport and will serve as an introduction to the security and boarding process prior to your trip. A walk through can be arranged through customer service and TSA. Please call (716) 630-6072 for more information.

Braille

Braille signage is posted throughout the airport.

Deaf /Hearing Impaired Travelers

See above for pre-travel airline and TSA contact information.

Travel Day: There are multiple signs in the pre and post security areas. The signage will help direct you to your gate. The Flight Information Display System lists departures and arrivals: screens are located throughout the terminal pre and post security.

TSA checkpoint: Use 'Special Assistance" Lane and identify to the agent that you are hearing impaired. (see 'Checkpoint" above)

Electric Carts

Carts and drivers are available in the post-security area to assist getting passengers to the gates. You may request cart assistance when you check-in at your Airline's ticket counter.

Gate Access

Elevators are available for gates requiring ramp level boarding. (Airline Personnel Assistance is required)

Metro

Click here for Metro Bus and Paratransit information. Reservations are required for Paratransit.

Oxygen

Check with your airline. Pre-flight arrangements required by all airlines.

Parking

Daily/Hourly Garage: free handicapped parking is available for up to one hour in the Daily/Hourly Garage. Individuals possessing a valid handicapped parking permit may park for less than one-hour in the Airport's Daily/Hourly Garage at no charge. After the first hour patrons will be charged the current hourly rate.

Anyone wishing to take advantage of free parking in the Daily/Hourly Garage will be required to present a time-stamped parking ticket along with a valid handicap parking permit or have a handicap designation on their license plate.

Long-Term Parking: All lots have handicap spaces available for those with a valid handicap parking permit. All airport shuttles are equipped with a wheelchair lift and trained driver to assist patrons.

Passenger Escorts

Check with your airline. Most airlines will provide Passenger Escort Service for a fee. This service is primarily for elderly customers, children or passengers with mental or physical impairment that are traveling alone.

Paws for Love Program

Therapy dogs work at the airport to help soothe passengers in conjunction with Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) of Erie County - if interested in being involved, contact volunteer coordinator Debbie Braun at dlfb2@msn.com for more info.

Pet Relief Area

Pre-security is located: Lower level arrivals/baggage claim. Exit right out of terminal. Area has posted signs. Post-security is located: ask your airline for assistance. Also on departure level between Gates 11 and 14.

Picking Up at Curbside

Handicap spaces are identified at curbside on the Arrivals Level to help facilitate picking up passengers needing assistance. These spaces are only for loading. Vehicles are not to be parked in this area or left unattended.

The free Cell Phone Lot is located next to the Economy Lot on Holtz Road. Drivers can wait there in their vehicles until their arriving passengers have their luggage and are ready to be picked up at curbside.

Rest Rooms

Companion care restrooms are provided. they are located on the Departures Level pre-security near the Meet & greet area and also the Arrivals Lower Level on the west end (past baggage carousel #3). In post-security, there is a companion care restroom near Gate 14. They are large enough to accommodate wheelchairs and families.

Security Check-In

A separate lane is provided to accommodate travelers needing extra assistance and families with small children (see Check Point above).

Service Animals

US Department of Transportation service animals rules can be found here.

Telephones

TTY/ TDD phones are avialble throughout the terminal building. In pre-security they are located on the Departure Level across from the United Airlines and at the west end of the Arrivals Lower Level. In post-security TTY/ TDD phones are located near gates 3,9 and 21.

Video Phone

This free unit is on the upper level, just past security near the Transit Police desk.

The Videophone unit has a video screen and high-speed internet connection to make it easier for hearing impaired and speech-disabled travelers who need help communicating over the phone. It provides visual communication assistance with another hearing impaired person, or with a hearing person via an interpreter-assisted Video Relay Service.

Wheelchair

If wheelchair assistance is required while at the Buffalo Airport, passengers should make advance arrangements with their airline. Or, at the airport, for all airlines except jetBlue, call (716) 633-3726: Jet Blue passengers should make advance arrangements with this airline.

Cars standing (not actively loading or unloading at the curb fronts) in the “drop-off” or “pick-up” lane will be ticketed. Unattended vehicles will be towed at the owner’s expense. Use FREE cell phone lot on Holtz Road next to Economy Parking Lot to wait for your party’s flight to arrive.