Accessibility Services

Plan Ahead
Guides plan ahead accessibility

If you are a guest needing assistance, plan ahead to avoid any delay or inconvenience during your visit.

Contact your airline in advance to request assistance with access to the Main Terminal as well as boarding a plane, wheelchairs, specific seat assignments, medication storage or dietary needs. Confirm the request prior to your departure day.

Tampa International Airport participates in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, and guests can obtain a Sunflower Lanyard at the information desk located in the center of Level 3 in the Main Terminal. Our Guest Services, Police, TSA and other teams are prepared to recognize adults and children with hidden disabilities.  

If you need additional assistance while you’re here, please let us know how we can help you. A staffed information desk is located in the center of Level 3 of the Main Terminal.

Wheelchair Assistance and Service Animals

Wheelchair service from the curbsides to ticket counters and gates is provided by the airlines through their skycaps. This service can be requested from the airline at the ticket counter and curbside check-in locations on the day of travel, but to ensure availability it is recommended that you make a reservation in advance. Wheelchair service is not available for guests being dropped off at the Blue Express Departures Curb.

Relief areas for pets/service animals around the Main Terminal are located in the grassy areas across the vehicle drives of the arrival (baggage claim) and departure (ticketing) areas.

Service animal relief areas are also available after the security screening checkpoints at every airside.

Parking

Parking for passengers with disabilities is available 24 hours a day in all airport parking areas, including Short Term, Long Term and Economy Parking. Upon entering the parking facility, please follow standard signage symbols for designated disabled parking spaces, commonly located adjacent to nearby elevators.

The Short Term Parking Garage can accommodate vehicles up to 6 feet, 8 inches.

The Long Term Parking Garage can accomodate vehicles up to 7 feet, 10 inches.

For vehicles greater than 7 feet, 10 inches in height and equipped with specialized equipment such as ramps, lifts, or foot or hand controls, or vehicles that have a State of Florida Toll Exemption Permit, please call the parking office at (813) 870-8791 for parking instructions.

The Economy Parking Garage offers covered parking for vehicles up to 8 feet high and uncovered lot parking for vehicles up to 13 feet high.

For transportation to the Main Terminal from the Economy Parking Garage, follow signs to elevators for access to SkyConnect.

Push-button emergency and assistance phones are located throughout the parking facilities at elevator lobbies for immediate assistance.

Standard parking rates apply, except that the airport provides free parking in accordance with Section 316.1964 of the Florida Statutes which requires that free parking be maintained in airport parking facilities for those vehicles with specialized equipment, such as ramps, lifts, or foot or hand controls, or which display the State of Florida Toll Exemption Permit.

The airport offers free parking for all individuals with disabled veterans tags on their vehicles. 

For additional information, contact our parking contractor, ABM, at (813) 870-8791.

Elevators, Restrooms and Telephones

Elevators provide convenient access to all passenger areas of the airport, including parking, ticketing, baggage claim and the Transfer Level. Generally, if you see an escalator, there is an elevator nearby. Elevators are located near entrance and exit doors for easy access to all terminal levels.

All public restrooms at the airport are wheelchair-accessible. In addition, companion restrooms equipped for patrons with disabilities are located at various locations throughout the airport. Look for the internationally-recognized wheelchair-accessible symbol.

TTY and TDD telephones are designed to accommodate passengers with special needs and are located at selected telephone locations. Each unit is marked with the international symbol for TTY/TDD. Passengers may also contact the Florida Relay Service from any telephone for directory assistance at:

(800) 955-8770 (voice)

(800) 955-8771 (TTY)

Ground Transportation
TPA ground Transportation

Travelers with special needs have numerous ground transportation options at the airport.

  • Taxis: Yellow Cab taxis are available with wheelchair lifts. Patrons in need of this service should request an equipped taxi upon arrival at the baggage claim Ground Transportation area. Please allow a reasonable amount of additional time to call an equipped vehicle. Drivers will assist patrons with baggage.
  • Car Rentals: With advance notice, most car rental companies provide rental cars equipped with hand controls. Contact your rental car company for further details.
  • Public Transportation: Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) provides transit service throughout the Tampa metropolitan area and is fully accessible to people who use wheelchairs or motorized scooters. HART service to and from the airport is located at the Remote Curbside on the ground floor of the Rental Car Center.
Gate Access for Companions

Security measures at Tampa International Airport restrict access beyond the Main Terminal shuttle lobbies to ticketed passengers only. However, airlines may grant permission for persons with special needs to be accompanied by a health care assistant or guardian. 

TSA Cares

TSA Cares is a toll-free helpline for passengers with disabilities and medical conditions that provides assistance in preparing for the airport security process. Call 1-855-787-2227 at least 72 hours ahead for assistance.

ADA Compliance and Complaint Resolution

Tampa International Airport, in compliance with federal and state laws and regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Florida Americans with Disabilities Accessibility Implementation Act, does not discriminate on the basis of disability in administration of its aviation-related programs and activities.

The Aviation Authority is committed to providing equal opportunities for the disabled traveling public, applicants, participants, employees and other interested persons. The traveling public and other persons as listed above who believe they have been subjected to discrimination on the basis of disability, or have been denied access to services or accommodations required by law, should contact the Tampa International Airport ADA Coordinator at (813) 554-1450 - please note, this number is monitored during normal business hours. For immediate assistance, please contact the Airport Operations Center at (813) 870-8770.

It is unlawful for airport operators and their lessees, tenants, concessionaires and contractors to discriminate against any person because of race, color, national origin, sex, creed or disability. Click here for more information. 

Please view the Authority's PDF Logo ADA Policy Notice.pdf. To file a complaint, please complete an ADA Complaint Form.