Accessibility Overview

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 services you may require for your trip. 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 are traveling with a companion, and any other concerns. Wheelchair assistance can be pre-arranged through your airline, by calling 716-633-3726 , or by asking for assistance upon arrival at the airport.

TSA Cares Assistance is only available for assistance through the screening checkpoint. If you need in-flight assistance or wheelchair assistance from the curb to the aircraft, please contact your airline directly. We have trained Passenger Support Specialists here at BUF that are ready to assist you.

To Request Assistance Through the Screening Checkpoint You May:

Complete This Form

Contact By Phone: (855) 787-2227

Contact By Email: TSA-contactcenter@dhs.gov

Aira – Visual Service

The Buffalo Niagara International Airport is an Access Partner Location within the Aira Network. Aira is an app that connects people who are blind or low vision to professional visual interpreters for secure access to visual information.
What is Visual Interpreting?
Visual interpreting makes visual information accessible for people who are blind or low vision (BLV). You can think of it as similar to how sign language or video relay interpreting makes audible speech accessible for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Visual interpreting conveys vital information through verbal communication. Interpreters audibly describe, read, explain, and navigate in real-time for people in the BLV community.
Download the Aira App to your mobile device for iPhone or Android. Because BUF is an Aira Access Partner, you can access the service for free when on site.

Learn more about how the service works:

Autistic Travelers

Acclimation sessions are available for anyone diagnosed with Autism who will be traveling in the near future. These sessions are intended to help familiarize the individual with the surroundings of the airport and will serve as an introduction to the security and boarding processes prior to your trip.

A walk through may be arranged by contacting Customer Service at 716-630-6072 or by completing this form.

NFTA also participates in the Sunflower Program.

Braille

Braille signage is posted throughout the airport.

Deaf Travelers

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 (FIDS) lists departures and arrivals. Screens are located throughout the terminal.

Should you need additional assistance, please speak with the airline ticket agent when you check in for your flight.

Electric Carts

Carts and drivers are available in the post-security area to assist in transporting passengers to the gates. You may request cart assistance by speaking with your airline ticket agent when you check in for your flight. The cart will meet you after you’ve gone through the security checkpoint.

Gate Access

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

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program

The Buffalo Niagara International Airport proudly participates in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program. The program is a simple tool for you to share that you have a hidden disability voluntarily. Simply by wearing the Sunflower, you’re just letting everyone know that you might need extra help, understanding, or just more time.

Complimentary Sunflower lanyards and wristbands are available along with additional program information at the Ambassador Information Desk on the Departures (lower) level across from baggage carousel #3.

To learn more, visit here: https://hdsunflower.com/us/

Metro

Click here for Metro Bus and Paratransit information. Advanced reservations are required for Paratransit, and additional information can be found here, or by calling 716-855-7239.

Metro Bus tickets may be purchased at the airport. The ticket kiosk is located on the lower level, in the baggage claim area next to the Video Relay Service unit and across from the restrooms.

Oxygen

Please check with your airline. Pre-flight arrangements are required by all airlines..

Parking

Daily/Hourly Garage: Free handicapped parking is available for up to 59 minutes in the Daily/Hourly Garage. After the first hour patrons will be charged the current hourly rate. Individuals wishing to utilize up to one hour of free parking in the Daily/Hourly Garage will be required to present a time-stamped parking ticket upon exiting the lot along with a valid handicap parking permit or have a handicap designation on their license plate.
Long-Term Parking: All lots have handicapped spaces available for those with a valid handicap parking permit. All airport shuttles are equipped with a wheelchair lift and trained drivers to assist patrons.

Passenger Escorts

Please inquire with your airline. Most airlines will provide Passenger Escort Services 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 Therapy Dog Program

Therapy dogs work at the airport to help soothe passengers through the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) of Erie County.

Anyone interested in volunteering with this program may contact: PawsForLove@yourspca.org

Pet Relief Areas

Pre-security can be found outside of the lower-level arrivals/baggage claim. When you exit the doors, the pet relief area is located to the right.

Post-security is located indoors on the departures (upper) level between Gates 11 and 14.

Picking Up at Curbside

Handicap spaces are identified at posts #5 and #10 curbside on the Arrivals Level to help facilitate picking up passengers needing assistance. These spaces are only for active loading and unloading to help facilitate passengers needing assistance. Vehicles are not to remain parked in this area or left unattended. Any vehicles not actively loading and unloading in the “drop-off” or “pick-up” lanes will be ticketed and any unattended vehicles will be towed at the owner’s expense.

A free Cell Phone Lot is located on Buell Ave. Drivers can wait there in their vehicles until their arriving passengers have their luggage and are ready to be picked up at the curbside in the arrival area.

Rest Rooms

Companion Care Restrooms are provided throughout the terminal and are large enough to accommodate wheelchairs and families.

Pre-security, they are located on the Departures (upper) level near the restrooms in the Meet & Greet area as well as on the Arrivals (lower) level on the West end past baggage carousel #3.
Post-security, they are located near the restrooms adjacent to the Food Court as well as near Gates 1, 14, and 23.

Security Check-In

A separate lane is available to accommodate travelers needing extra assistance and families with small children.

Service Animals

Please find US Department of Transportation service animal rules here.

Video Relay Service (VRS)

Video Relay Service (VRS) allows persons with hearing or speech disabilities who use American Sign Language to use video equipment to communicate with voice telephone users. A video link allows a Communication Assistant (CA) and the ASL user to view and sign with each other, and the CA is also connected to a user on the voice side of the call through telephone. The CA interprets and relays the conversation back and forth between the two parties.

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

A pre-security VRS can be found downstairs near baggage claim, in the east terminal across from the restrooms.

Wheelchairs

If wheelchair assistance is required while at Buffalo Airport, passengers should make advance arrangements with their airline or notify their airline at the ticket-counter upon check-in.

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