wheelair

All airlines Asia Pacific

China Airlines

IATA CI ICAO CAL Chinese Taipei · SkyTeam · www.china-airlines.com (opens in a new tab)

Powered chairs need the airline’s prior approval · carried free · 48 h notice.

Advance notice
48hours before departure
Powered wheelchair
Conditional
Lithium, battery installed
Not published
Cost to carry
Free

Who to contact

Transcribed from the airline’s own pages, exactly as it labels them.

China Airlines publishes no dedicated disability telephone line outside Canada; the general Customer Service Hotlines above are the published route. The Canada Branch General Manager is the designated recipient of accessibility feedback (fax +1-604-242-1166). The Mobility Aids content is on the fourth tab of the Medical Assistance page and does not render without JavaScript.

Read it from the source

Powered wheelchairs & batteries

The part that goes wrong. Battery chemistry and watt-hours decide whether your chair flies, and the rules differ depending on whether the battery can be removed.

Powered chairs accepted
Conditional

Electric wheelchairs are accepted and must be checked in at the check-in counter, but the Mobility Aid Guide sets an aircraft height restriction: "B738 accepts the mobility aid that is under 84CM; A321 accepts the mobility aid that is under 77CM in bulk, and under 100CM in cargo hold" (subject to aircraft condition). The battery specification must also be supplied in advance for UN 38.3 verification.

Medical Assistance — Mobility Aids / Airport and In-Flight Assistance tabs (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29  Electric Mobility Aids Users' Guides ("Mobility Aid Guide", 10-page PDF linked from the Medical Assistance page) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Lithium-ion batteries
Yes

Lithium batteries (WCLB) are accepted; they must meet each test in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, section 38.3, and a test document is required if the battery is not the original manufacturer's. Installed: securely attached, terminals protected from short circuits.

Medical Assistance — Mobility Aids / Airport and In-Flight Assistance tabs (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29  Electric Mobility Aids Users' Guides ("Mobility Aid Guide", 10-page PDF linked from the Medical Assistance page) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Watt-hour cap — battery stays in the chair
Not published

Not published as a China Airlines cap. Where the lithium battery cannot be removed it "must be insulated and disconnected from the wheelchair and then consigned for shipment", with the warning that "some airports do not accept over 300Wh". The 300 Wh figure China Airlines does set applies to a removed battery.

Medical Assistance — Mobility Aids / Airport and In-Flight Assistance tabs (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29  Electric Mobility Aids Users' Guides ("Mobility Aid Guide", 10-page PDF linked from the Medical Assistance page) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Watt-hour cap — battery removed into the cabin
300 Wh

"Removed battery enclosed within a battery container, and carried onboard in carry-on baggage. Each battery's capacity cannot be greater than 300 W/H." The guide repeats: "Removed battery must be less than 300Wh... Acceptable only in the cabin", well packed / insulated (e.g. a protective pouch).

Medical Assistance — Mobility Aids / Airport and In-Flight Assistance tabs (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29  Electric Mobility Aids Users' Guides ("Mobility Aid Guide", 10-page PDF linked from the Medical Assistance page) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Watt-hour cap — spare battery
300 Wh

"In addition to the wheelchair battery, a spare li-ion battery with a capacity lower than 300 W/H or two spare li-ion batteries with a capacity lower than 160 W/H each are allowed in carry-on baggage." The guide states it as "One carry-on ≦300Wh or 2 ≦160Wh batteries are allowed."

Medical Assistance — Mobility Aids / Airport and In-Flight Assistance tabs (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29  Electric Mobility Aids Users' Guides ("Mobility Aid Guide", 10-page PDF linked from the Medical Assistance page) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Spare batteries permittedmaximum number under any published configuration
2

Maximum count: one spare lithium battery up to 300 Wh, or two spares each up to 160 Wh, carried in the cabin. Separately, one spare non-spillable wet battery, or two spare nickel-metal hydride or two spare dry batteries, may be carried as checked baggage.

Medical Assistance — Mobility Aids / Airport and In-Flight Assistance tabs (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29  Electric Mobility Aids Users' Guides ("Mobility Aid Guide", 10-page PDF linked from the Medical Assistance page) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Battery must be removed
No

Optional for a removable lithium battery: "The battery can choose not to be removed, but must be insulated, and disconnected from the wheelchair and then consigned for shipment." If it is removed it must be enclosed in a battery container and carried in the cabin. If it cannot be removed, it must be insulated and disconnected and the chair consigned. The passenger is responsible for (un)installing the battery, following the manufacturer's instructions.

Medical Assistance — Mobility Aids / Airport and In-Flight Assistance tabs (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29  Electric Mobility Aids Users' Guides ("Mobility Aid Guide", 10-page PDF linked from the Medical Assistance page) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Non-spillable batteriesgel, AGM, sealed lead-acid, dry cell
Yes

Non-spillable lead-acid (WCBD, complying with A67), nickel-metal hydride (A199) and dry batteries (Ni-Cd, zinc-carbon, alkali-manganese, A123) are accepted installed or removed. Terminals protected from short circuits; removed batteries individually placed in a pouch. One spare non-spillable battery, two spare nickel-metal hydride batteries or two spare dry batteries may be checked in.

Electric Mobility Aids Users' Guides ("Mobility Aid Guide", 10-page PDF linked from the Medical Assistance page) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Wet / spillable batteries
Yes

Spillable lead-acid (WCBW) — a battery with a cell vent that can refill electrolyte — is listed as acceptable installed or removed. Installed: switched off and prevented from unintentional activation, battery attached to the device and kept in an upright position, terminals protected from short circuits. Removed: terminals protected, each battery individually placed in a pouch in an upright position.

Electric Mobility Aids Users' Guides ("Mobility Aid Guide", 10-page PDF linked from the Medical Assistance page) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Terminal protection & immobilisation
Battery terminals protected against short circuits; battery securely attached to the device; circuit switched off and prevented from unintentional activation; removed batteries individually boxed or pouched

Installed lithium: "Battery must be securely attached with the device. Battery terminals must be protected from short circuits." Lead-acid installed: "Switched off and prevent from unintentional activation... battery attached with the device and in upright position." Removed batteries must be individually placed in a pouch (upright for spillable).

Electric Mobility Aids Users' Guides ("Mobility Aid Guide", 10-page PDF linked from the Medical Assistance page) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Paperwork the airline wants
Yes

"Please provide battery specification in advance for verification of complying with UN38.3 battery safety test. It is recommended to carry the specification for the airport's security reference." A test document is required if the battery is not the original manufacturer's; China Airlines may refuse a battery with an altered or illegible label or sticker.

Medical Assistance — Mobility Aids / Airport and In-Flight Assistance tabs (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29  Electric Mobility Aids Users' Guides ("Mobility Aid Guide", 10-page PDF linked from the Medical Assistance page) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Size limit for a powered chairAirline’s stated maximum wheelchair size
77 cm high

"NOTE: The height restriction (subject to the aircraft condition). B738 accepts the mobility aid that is under 84CM; A321 accepts the mobility aid that is under 77CM in bulk, and under 100CM in cargo hold." 77 cm — the A321 bulk-hold figure — is the tightest published height. No width or length limit is published.

Electric Mobility Aids Users' Guides ("Mobility Aid Guide", 10-page PDF linked from the Medical Assistance page) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Weight limit for a powered chair
Not published

Not published: the weight of the wheelchair including battery must be given at booking but no maximum is stated.

Electric Mobility Aids Users' Guides ("Mobility Aid Guide", 10-page PDF linked from the Medical Assistance page) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Returned at the aircraft door
Conditional

You may use your own powered wheelchair to the boarding gate, but electric wheelchairs must be consigned at check-in, and on arrival delivery to the gate depends on the airport: if it cannot be brought from the apron to the gate it goes to the baggage claim area and staff accompany you there with a loaner wheelchair.

Medical Assistance — Mobility Aids / Airport and In-Flight Assistance tabs (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29  Electric Mobility Aids Users' Guides ("Mobility Aid Guide", 10-page PDF linked from the Medical Assistance page) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Applies to China Airlines / Mandarin Airlines international flights only. The Mobility Aid Guide notes Wh = A x V and that the passenger is responsible for installing/removing the battery per the manufacturer's instructions. "The above are general guidelines and are subject to change based on new regulations in different countries."

Manual wheelchairs

Manual chairs accepted
Yes

Manual wheelchairs are carried free as checked baggage ("free consignment service"), outside the free baggage allowance. Passengers may use their own wheelchair to the boarding gate.

Medical Assistance — Mobility Aids / Airport and In-Flight Assistance tabs (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29  Electric Mobility Aids Users' Guides ("Mobility Aid Guide", 10-page PDF linked from the Medical Assistance page) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Folding chair may travel in the cabin
Not published

Not published on the Medical Assistance page: China Airlines does not say whether a folding manual wheelchair may be stowed in the cabin. Its Canada progress report says only that "selected aircraft may also provide onboard storage options for eligible mobility aids, subject to operational and aircraft requirements."

China Airlines Accessibility Plan Progress Report 2026 (Canada, ATPRR) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

In-cabin stowage limit
Not published

Not published: China Airlines publishes no in-cabin wheelchair stowage dimensions.

Size limit for a checked manual chair
Not published

No maximum size is published for a manual wheelchair. The only published size rule is a height restriction on two narrowbody types, printed in the battery section of the Mobility Aid Guide — see electric.max_dimensions and aircraft_hold_note.

Electric Mobility Aids Users' Guides ("Mobility Aid Guide", 10-page PDF linked from the Medical Assistance page) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Weight limit for a manual chair
Not published

Not published: China Airlines asks for the weight of the wheelchair including battery at booking but publishes no maximum.

Electric Mobility Aids Users' Guides ("Mobility Aid Guide", 10-page PDF linked from the Medical Assistance page) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Returned at the aircraft door
Conditional

"Passengers can also use their own wheelchairs to get to the boarding gate." On arrival it is airport-dependent: "Subject to the restriction of airport facilities or regulations, sometimes the wheelchair may be unable to retrieve at boarding gate. China Airlines will deliver the wheelchair to baggage claim carousel" — in that case a wheelchair is provided and staff accompany you to the belt.

Medical Assistance — Mobility Aids / Airport and In-Flight Assistance tabs (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29  Electric Mobility Aids Users' Guides ("Mobility Aid Guide", 10-page PDF linked from the Medical Assistance page) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Applies to China Airlines / Mandarin Airlines international flights only; for codeshare flights the operating carrier's rules apply.

Booking & cost

Advance notice requiredhours before scheduled departure
48h

"If you need to apply for airport wheelchair service or check in a wheelchair, please submit your request through our website at least 48 hours before departure, or contact our Customer Service Center or local offices at least 24 hours before departure." The Mobility Aid Guide adds: 24 h in advance by call centre, 48 h if more than 10 passengers need wheelchair service, and check in at least 2 hours before departure.

Medical Assistance — Mobility Aids / Airport and In-Flight Assistance tabs (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29  Electric Mobility Aids Users' Guides ("Mobility Aid Guide", 10-page PDF linked from the Medical Assistance page) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

How to request assistance
Apply through the online wheelchair-service form at least 48 h before departure, or call the Customer Service Center / a local office at least 24 h before departure

At booking China Airlines asks for: wheelchair type (manual/electric); form (foldable/rigid); length x height x width (and folded size if foldable, e.g. "89cm*60cm*92cm"); weight including battery; and battery type (lithium, spillable lead-acid, non-spillable lead-acid, nickel-metal hydride, dry). Have the battery specification, photo and manual ready.

Medical Assistance — Mobility Aids / Airport and In-Flight Assistance tabs (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29  Electric Mobility Aids Users' Guides ("Mobility Aid Guide", 10-page PDF linked from the Medical Assistance page) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Charge for carrying the aid
No fee

"Mobility Aids can be included in the free baggage allowance at no additional charge" — covering wheelchairs, scooters, mobility aids and wheelchairs/mobility aids with batteries, walkers, respirators, ventilators, canes and crutches, for use by disabled passengers only. "For passengers who bring their own wheelchairs, whether manual or electric, our company provides free consignment service."

Medical Assistance — Mobility Aids / Airport and In-Flight Assistance tabs (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29  Electric Mobility Aids Users' Guides ("Mobility Aid Guide", 10-page PDF linked from the Medical Assistance page) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Mobility devices carried free
Not published

Not published: China Airlines does not state a number of mobility devices carried free per passenger.

If they damage your chair
Temporary replacement mobility aid provided if a checked mobility aid is damaged, destroyed, lost, or not available on arrival (Canada accessibility plan)

"If the mobility aid of a person with a disability is not retained by the person during transport and it is damaged, destroyed or lost during transport or is not made available to the person at the time of their arrival at their destination, China Airlines will provide a temporary replacement mobility aid." No monetary liability figure or ACAA full-value statement is published.

China Airlines Accessibility Plan Progress Report 2026 (Canada, ATPRR) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

On board

On-board aisle chair
Yes

"All aircraft types are equipped with onboard wheelchairs and a 'Personal Transfer Kit' (including Transfer Board, Transfer Belt, Transfer Sling), to assist passengers with mobility within the cabin, such as when moving to and from the lavatory."

Medical Assistance — Mobility Aids / Airport and In-Flight Assistance tabs (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Accessible lavatory
Yes

"All our aircrafts are equipped toilets for passengers with disabilities, which have installed service bells, handrails, and no-skid floors inside. Some aircrafts have extended 60 inch toilets, or have installed curtains."

Medical Assistance — Mobility Aids / Airport and In-Flight Assistance tabs (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Crew help you transfer
Yes

Cabin crew assist with getting to and from seats during boarding and disembarkation, with carry-on baggage and assistive devices, and with getting to and from the toilet using the onboard wheelchair and transfer kit. Crew are not permitted to provide feeding assistance, assistance inside the lavatory or with toileting at the seat, or medical services.

Medical Assistance — Mobility Aids / Airport and In-Flight Assistance tabs (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Seating & movable armrests
Yes

"In order to provide you with maximum comfort, we will arrange for passengers with disabilities to have aisle seats that are easy to access or seats that are equipped with movable armrests." Configurations differ by aircraft type — check the Seat Map page.

Medical Assistance — Mobility Aids / Airport and In-Flight Assistance tabs (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Fleet detail. Mobility-aid height restriction published in the Mobility Aid Guide (subject to aircraft condition): Boeing 737-800 accepts a mobility aid under 84 cm; A321 accepts a mobility aid under 77 cm in the bulk hold and under 100 cm in the cargo hold. No limit is published for the widebody fleet.

Worth knowing

The mobility-aid and battery rules sit on the fourth tab of the Medical Assistance page, which does not render without JavaScript; the same rules, plus the aircraft height restrictions and the battery-category matrix, are in the 10-page "Electric Mobility Aids Users' Guides" PDF (published 26 June 2026) linked from that page. Two notice periods are published and they conflict in direction: 48 h if you use the online wheelchair form, 24 h if you telephone. China Airlines states no watt-hour cap for a battery that stays installed but warns some airports refuse over 300 Wh. The B737-800 84 cm and A321 77 cm bulk-hold height limits are the sharpest constraint in this record and appear only in the PDF. All rules apply to China Airlines / Mandarin Airlines international flights only.

Sources

Every figure above traces to one of these.

  1. s1 Medical Assistance — Mobility Aids / Airport and In-Flight Assistance tabs (opens in a new tab) · official · read 2026-07-29
  2. s2 Electric Mobility Aids Users' Guides ("Mobility Aid Guide", 10-page PDF linked from the Medical Assistance page) (opens in a new tab) · official · read 2026-07-29
  3. s3 Accessibility — Accessibility Plan and Feedback Process (Canada) (opens in a new tab) · official · read 2026-07-29
  4. s4 Contact Us — Customer Service Hotlines (opens in a new tab) · official · read 2026-07-29
  5. s5 Wheelchair service online application (opens in a new tab) · official · read 2026-07-29
  6. s6 China Airlines Accessibility Plan Progress Report 2026 (Canada, ATPRR) (opens in a new tab) · official · read 2026-07-29

Record quality

Record status researched · confidence high · 6 official sources · 10 contacts · 80% of the fields this reference tracks are answered. Newest source read 29 July 2026, the day before this page was built. What these mean.