Special seating requirements

Customers with the following keywords in their bookings will either be able to choose their own seat at the time of booking, or will be allocated a seat by BA before departure:

Special seating requirements
Keyword Passenger Description Seat Allocation
UMNR Unaccompanied Minor By BA
WCHC Customer is completely immobile. Requires a wheelchair to/from aircraft seat Can choose own seat
WCHS Customer cannot ascend/descend steps but is able to make own way slowly to/from cabin seat Can choose own seat
DEAF Customer is deaf Can choose own seat
BLND Customer is blind Can choose own seat
PETC Customer is travelling with an assistance dog By BA
INF Booking contains an infant Can choose own seat
CHD Booking contains child aged 2-11 years By BA
SMED Passenger has medical condition By BA / Can choose own seat

Customers who require wheelchairs

It is very important that the correct wheelchair request is actioned. Please note the keywords below and make sure that you request the correct one:

Customers who require wheelchairs
WCHR Customer can ascend/descend steps and walk to/from cabin seat but cannot manage long distances to/from the aircraft.
WCHS Customer cannot ascend/descend steps but is able to make own way slowly to/from cabin seat.
WCHC* Customer is completely immobile. Requires a wheelchair to/from aircraft seat.

*Note: The WCHC keyword will generate a request for a high lift vehicle for non-jetty served flights.

It is important that the relevant category is added to the booking even if the customer is taking his or her own wheelchair.
Customers with additional needs who have specific seating requirements

Current legislation states that a customer with a disability should be permitted to pre-book their seat on a first come first served basis and if their disability causes them to need a specific seat (e.g. bulkhead) we will meet their request. In addition to this a customer with a fused / immobilised leg is entitled to a bulkhead seat or a seat with sufficient legroom.

Some medical conditions, which would be categorised as disabilities, are not necessarily attributed with one of the keywords already agreed for pre-seating.

Customers with a disability requiring specific seating fall into the following categories:

1. Those who have informed us of their disability require the following keyword to be added DEAF / BLND / WCHC / WCHS.
2. Those who have a disability, which requires clearance to fly use the MEDA keyword to request MEDICAL clearance from BAHS.
3. Those who have informed us that they are travelling with an assistance dog in the cabin (PETC).

In order to be compliant with current legislation those who have informed us of a disability, which does not fit into 1 - 3 above but does require specific seating, use the SMED keyword to request a seat.