Special Assistance

Hamad International Airport offers barrier-free access and dedicated facilities to make travelling more comfortable for passengers who require special assistance.

To ensure their wellbeing, special assistance travelers are usually boarded first and off-boarded last from their aircraft.

Your airline can arrange a personal helper to accompany you at all times and assist with check-in, passport control, security checks, baggage claim and Customs.

Reserved car parking

Both our short-term and long-term car parks offer reserved parking spaces for passengers with reduced mobility.

Barrier-free access

Hamad International Airport is entirely barrier-free. Our network of elevators, escalators, ramps, walkways and passenger train offers simple access to passengers with reduced mobility. We even provide elevators at the boarding gates for A380 aircraft making it easier to board the plane’s upper deck.

Adapted check-in counters

Each row of our check-in counters includes an adapted service desk designed to ease checking-in for passengers with reduced mobility. This service desk is the first counter in each check-in row, with the exception of Qatar Airways’ check-in rows where it is the last counter. The seated check-in desks offered to Qatar Airways First Class passengers are all adapted for passengers with reduced mobility. You can use our airport planner to locate the check-in row assigned to your flight or simply ask at an information desk for assistance (map).

Lounge for special assistance travelers

Relax in our dedicated lounge (map) while you wait for your transfer or departing flights. It offers comfortable seating, televisions and a trained attendant. Adapted washrooms are conveniently located nearby.

Wheelchairs and washrooms

Complimentary wheelchairs are available throughout our passenger terminal; please ask at the nearest information desk. If you require assistance with moving around in a wheelchair please inform your airline in advance so that a personal helper can be arranged.

Washrooms adapted for passengers with reduced mobility are available at many points across our passenger terminal. Just follow the signs, ask at an information desk or use our airport map to find one nearest you.

Things to remember

• Please inform your airline in advance if you require personal assistance.
• Please arrange with your airline if you need oxygen, stretchers or other medical assistance during your journey.
• Don’t forget to carry all necessary documentation. Please consult your airline as early as possible before you start travelling.

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program

Hamad International Airport is a member of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program.

If you have a non-visible disability, wearing your lanyard will let our team know you may need

• Extra time or understanding
• Clear communication
• Quite assistance space
• Help with directions

Passengers with hidden disabilities and those requiring additional support can approach our team for assistance. The sunflower lanyard allows passengers to voluntarily share that they have a disability or condition that may not be immediately apparent, and that they may need a helping hand, more time or understanding while travelling through our airport.

If you or someone you are travelling with has an invisible disability, you may choose to wear the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard as a discreet way to indicate to our airport staff that you may need a little more help or time when going through the airport processes. 

Departing passengers can collect Sunflower lanyards from the information desks located in HIA's check-in area, and transferring passengers can collect lanyards from the information desks located in HIA's Lamp Bear area and the ORCHARD. For information on how to obtain a Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard, please visit https://hdsunflower.com/