All airlines Asia Pacific
Hainan Airlines
Powered chairs need the airline’s prior approval · carried free · 48 h notice · no watt-hour cap on an installed battery.
- Advance notice
- 48hours before departure
- Powered wheelchair
- Conditional
- Lithium, battery installed
- No stated limit
- Cost to carry
- Free
Who to contact
Transcribed from the airline’s own pages, exactly as it labels them.
- PhoneChina — Hainan Airlines customer service hotline 95339 (the only channel named on the wheelchair pages; described elsewhere as the 24-hour ticketing service hotline)
- Relay / textHainan's ACAA page directs disability complaints to the US DOT Hotline for Air Travelers with Disabilities 800-778-4838 (voice) / 800-455-9880 (TTY) and to the Aviation Consumer Protection Division 202-366-2220 (voice) / 202-366-0511 (TTY). Hainan publishes no TTY or text-relay line of its own.US DOT disability hotline printed on Hainan's Air Carrier Access Act page (not a Hainan line)
Hainan publishes no dedicated accessibility desk, e-mail address or online assistance form. Everything is routed through the 95339 hotline, a Hainan Airlines ticket office, or (from abroad) a Hainan overseas office. Three paper forms are named: Special Passenger Service Request Form Type A (airport assistance for hearing/speech/vision needs), Type B (full ground unaccompanied service on domestic flights) and Type C (cabin wheelchair, stretcher, oxygen). Hainan's ACAA page names no Complaints Resolution Official — it lists only US DOT complaint channels. The English "Contact Us" page lists mainland-China office numbers; its "International Area" tab did not render, so no overseas number could be transcribed.
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.
Accepted only as checked baggage and only after approval: the request must be submitted at least 48 h before departure via a ticket office or 95339, the wheelchair type must be confirmed for safe transport, and once approved the manual must be brought to check-in at least 2 h before the standard check-in deadline. Hainan also states it does not offer connecting-flight services for passengers with electric wheelchairs.
Passengers with Impairments — Passengers Requiring Wheelchairs; battery-powered wheelchairs or walking aids (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29 Hainan Airlines' Carriage Standards for Special Passengers & Guidelines for Air Travellers' Health (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
Lithium-battery wheelchairs and walking aids are accepted; the battery must be of a type meeting UN Manual of Tests and Criteria Part III, sub-section 38.3. If the battery specification label is illegible or altered, transport is prohibited.
Passengers with Impairments — Passengers Requiring Wheelchairs; battery-powered wheelchairs or walking aids (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
Where the lithium battery is irremovable: "The battery shall be installed in the wheelchair / walking aid, and have no upper capacity limit (in watt-hours)." The chair must give adequate damage protection, the battery must be mounted securely, the circuit disconnected per the manual and the terminals protected against short circuit; the chair travels in the cargo hold and NO spare battery may be carried.
Passengers with Impairments — Passengers Requiring Wheelchairs; battery-powered wheelchairs or walking aids (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
Where the lithium battery is removable: "The capacity of the removed battery shall not exceed 300 watt-hours." It must be removed per the manufacturer's manual, protected against short circuit (battery container, taped or covered terminals), stored in a separate protective case and carried into the passenger cabin.
Passengers with Impairments — Passengers Requiring Wheelchairs; battery-powered wheelchairs or walking aids (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
"A spare battery with a maximum capacity of 300 watt-hours; or two spare batteries with a maximum capacity of 160 watt-hours each." Spares travel in the cabin in individual protective cases. Spares are only permitted where the wheelchair battery is removable.
Passengers with Impairments — Passengers Requiring Wheelchairs; battery-powered wheelchairs or walking aids (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
Maximum of two: one spare lithium battery of up to 300 Wh, or two spares of up to 160 Wh each. Where the chair's lithium battery is irremovable, "no spare battery shall be carried". For sealed wet batteries the allowance is one spare A67 battery; for dry (A123) or nickel-metal-hydride (A199) batteries, two spares.
Passengers with Impairments — Passengers Requiring Wheelchairs; battery-powered wheelchairs or walking aids (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
Depends on the design. If the battery is irremovable it stays installed, securely mounted with the circuit disconnected, and the chair goes in the hold. If it is removable it "shall be removed according to the manufacturer's instruction manual", protected against short circuit and carried into the cabin in a protective case.
Passengers with Impairments — Passengers Requiring Wheelchairs; battery-powered wheelchairs or walking aids (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
Sealed wet batteries meeting Special Provision A67, nickel-metal-hydride batteries (A199) and dry batteries (A123) are accepted. The battery must be securely fixed with the circuit disconnected per the manufacturer's manual, or removed per that manual; a removed or spare battery must go in a firm rigid package secured in the cargo hold. A sealed battery must contain no free or unadsorbed liquid.
Passengers with Impairments — Passengers Requiring Wheelchairs; battery-powered wheelchairs or walking aids (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
Non-sealed wet batteries are covered, but only if the chair can be kept upright and protected: "If the wheelchair / walking aid cannot always be operated upright or is not protected sufficiently, it shall not be transported." If removable, the battery must come out and travel in a firm rigid, leak-proof package secured against tipping, upright, packed with absorbent material. No spare battery may be carried for a non-removable non-sealed wet battery.
Passengers with Impairments — Passengers Requiring Wheelchairs; battery-powered wheelchairs or walking aids (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
"The two electrodes of the battery shall be protected against short circuits, such as being sealed in a battery container" (installed lithium battery), and a removed battery must be protected against short circuit by sealing it in a battery container, covering exposed electrodes or wrapping with tape. The circuit must be disconnected per the manufacturer's manual and measures taken against accidental activation.
Passengers with Impairments — Passengers Requiring Wheelchairs; battery-powered wheelchairs or walking aids (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
Once the electric wheelchair is approved, "please bring the electric wheelchair manual to the check-in counter at least two hours before the standard check-in deadline". Hainan also refuses transport where "the battery specification label is illegible, altered, etc." No MSDS or spec sheet is demanded.
Passengers with Impairments — Passengers Requiring Wheelchairs; battery-powered wheelchairs or walking aids (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
No maximum size published for an electric wheelchair, and no hold-door or hold-compartment figures are published.
Not published. Hainan sets no weight limit for an electric wheelchair; it only requires the type to be confirmed and approved before travel.
Not published. Hainan states that a wheelchair with an installed battery "shall be placed in the cargo hold for transport" but does not say where it is returned on arrival.
Passengers with Impairments — Passengers Requiring Wheelchairs; battery-powered wheelchairs or walking aids (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
Allow extra time: after approval the chair must be presented at check-in at least 2 h before the ordinary check-in deadline (unless local law differs). Hainan does not handle connecting flights for passengers travelling with an electric wheelchair — an onward carrier's approval must be obtained before the ticket is bought.
Manual wheelchairs
Personal wheelchairs are accepted and carried free as checked baggage for passengers who need them for mobility. Wheelchairs must comply with Hainan's baggage and dangerous-goods rules to be accepted as baggage.
Passengers with Impairments — Passengers Requiring Wheelchairs; battery-powered wheelchairs or walking aids (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29 Special Baggage — Wheelchairs/Mobility Devices (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
CONTRADICTION on Hainan's own site. The disability page states: "As wheelchairs cannot be stored in the cabin, all personal wheelchairs must be checked in." The Special Baggage page states the opposite: "Hainan Airlines allows you to bring your wheelchair into the cabin provided it meets our requirements." The explicit disability-page wording is recorded here; confirm with 95339 before relying on cabin stowage.
Passengers with Impairments — Passengers Requiring Wheelchairs; battery-powered wheelchairs or walking aids (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29 Special Baggage — Wheelchairs/Mobility Devices (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
No in-cabin stowage dimensions published — the disability page says wheelchairs cannot be stored in the cabin at all.
No maximum size published for a checked manual wheelchair, and no cargo-hold door or compartment figures are published.
Not published for wheelchairs. Hainan's general special-baggage rules require its approval for any single piece over 32 kg (70 lb) and treat pieces over 45 kg as cargo, but no weight limit is stated for a mobility aid, which is carried outside the baggage allowance.
Special Baggage — Wheelchairs/Mobility Devices (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
Not published. Hainan does not say whether a checked wheelchair is returned at the aircraft door/jet bridge or at the baggage carousel.
Wheelchair services are non-transferable: if the flight is rescheduled the service must be requested again. Hainan does not provide connecting-flight services for unaccompanied immobile passengers; on an interline connection the other carrier's approval must be obtained before buying the ticket.
Booking & cost
Battery-powered wheelchairs fall under the "HNA 48 Hours" programme: a request must be submitted at least 48 h before departure via a Hainan ticket office or the 95339 hotline, and the wheelchair type must be confirmed. Other deadlines: 24 h for WCHC (wheelchair users needing help with daily activities) and for the cabin/aisle wheelchair; 60 min for boarding assistance to WCHR/WCHS passengers under "HNA 60 Minutes".
Passengers with Impairments — Passengers Requiring Wheelchairs; battery-powered wheelchairs or walking aids (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29 Hainan Airlines' Carriage Standards for Special Passengers & Guidelines for Air Travellers' Health (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
Hainan recommends requesting wheelchair assistance when booking because domestic ground handling varies by airport; on-the-spot requests are prioritised for WCHC and WCHS, and WCHR passengers may not be served promptly if ground resources are limited. Electric wheelchairs must be requested at least 48 h ahead via a ticket office or 95339. Cabin-wheelchair users must also complete Form Type C.
Passengers with Impairments — Passengers Requiring Wheelchairs; battery-powered wheelchairs or walking aids (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29 Hainan Airlines' Carriage Standards for Special Passengers & Guidelines for Air Travellers' Health (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
"Wheelchairs are transported free of charge and do not count toward your baggage allowance." A wheelchair-dependent passenger may check one wheelchair free of charge in addition to the standard baggage allowance; a passenger who does not need a wheelchair for mobility pays standard excess-baggage fees if it exceeds the allowance. Crutches, canes and braces are carried in addition to the carry-on allowance.
Passengers with Impairments — Passengers Requiring Wheelchairs; battery-powered wheelchairs or walking aids (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29 Special Baggage — Wheelchairs/Mobility Devices (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
"Wheelchair-dependent passengers may check one wheelchair free of charge, in addition to their standard baggage allowance." Other mobility devices such as crutches, canes and braces may additionally be brought on board on top of the standard carry-on allowance. No figure is published for a second wheelchair.
Passengers with Impairments — Passengers Requiring Wheelchairs; battery-powered wheelchairs or walking aids (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29 Special Baggage — Wheelchairs/Mobility Devices (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
Not published for mobility aids. Hainan's delayed/damaged-baggage page offers an on-the-spot irregular-baggage report and "repair, replacement of bags, or cash compensation ... based on the actual situation", but names no liability limit, no Montreal Convention figure and no special rule for wheelchairs.
Delayed/Damaged Baggage (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
On board
"We offer cabin wheelchair services on all our wide-body aircraft for both international and domestic flights" — i.e. the A330 and B787 fleet; nothing is published for narrow-bodies. It must be reserved at least 24 h before departure through a Hainan ticket office or 95339, with Special Passenger Service Request Form Type C.
Passengers with Impairments — Passengers Requiring Wheelchairs; battery-powered wheelchairs or walking aids (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
Not published. Hainan does not say which aircraft have an accessible lavatory.
Not published. Hainan provides a cabin wheelchair on wide-bodies but advises that "passengers using cabin wheelchairs are advised to go boarding with family members or medical personnel", and does not state what physical transfer help cabin crew themselves give.
Passengers with Impairments — Passengers Requiring Wheelchairs; battery-powered wheelchairs or walking aids (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
"We will make every effort to arrange a suitable and comfortable seat for you and an adjacent seat for your companion, except for emergency exit seats. Passengers with service dogs or limited leg mobility will receive priority for the first row of seats in the relevant cabin or aisle seats with ample legroom, excluding emergency exit seats." Hainan also caps the number of special-needs passengers per flight because of aircraft limitations.
Hainan Airlines' Carriage Standards for Special Passengers & Guidelines for Air Travellers' Health (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29
Fleet detail. Hainan publishes no cargo-hold door aperture or hold-compartment dimensions. A wheelchair with a battery installed must travel in the cargo hold; the cabin (aisle) wheelchair exists only on the wide-body A330/B787 fleet.
Worth knowing
Read on Hainan's English (US) site; the same DisplayPage content is served for other country sites. Watch-outs: (1) Hainan's Special Baggage page says a wheelchair may be brought into the cabin "provided it meets our requirements", while the disability page flatly says wheelchairs cannot be stored in the cabin and must all be checked — a direct contradiction a human should re-check. (2) Passengers travelling with an electric wheelchair, and unaccompanied immobile passengers, are excluded from Hainan's connecting-flight service. (3) The number of special-needs passengers per flight is capped, so book early. (4) The 100 Wh / 160 Wh figures on Hainan's oxygen-concentrator page are the general portable-electronics lithium limits and were deliberately NOT written into the wheelchair battery fields. (5) Hainan publishes no accessibility e-mail, web form or TTY line, and no CRO for US routes.
Sources
Every figure above traces to one of these.
- s1 Passengers with Impairments — Passengers Requiring Wheelchairs; battery-powered wheelchairs or walking aids (opens in a new tab) · official · read 2026-07-29
- s2 Hainan Airlines' Carriage Standards for Special Passengers & Guidelines for Air Travellers' Health (opens in a new tab) · official · read 2026-07-29
- s3 Special Baggage — Wheelchairs/Mobility Devices (opens in a new tab) · official · read 2026-07-29
- s4 Special Services (Care More) — index of special-passenger pages (opens in a new tab) · official · read 2026-07-29
- s5 United States Air Carrier Access Act (opens in a new tab) · official · read 2026-07-29
- s6 Contact Us (opens in a new tab) · official · read 2026-07-29
- s7 Delayed/Damaged Baggage (opens in a new tab) · official · read 2026-07-29
Record quality
Record status researched · confidence high · 7 official sources · 2 contacts · 75% of the fields this reference tracks are answered. Newest source read 29 July 2026, the day before this page was built. What these mean.