wheelair

All airlines Middle East

Qatar Airways

IATA QR ICAO QTR Qatar · oneworld · www.qatarairways.com (opens in a new tab)

Powered chairs need the airline’s prior approval · carried free · 72 h notice · no watt-hour cap on an installed battery.

Advance notice
72hours 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.

Qatar Airways does not publish a dedicated special-assistance e-mail address; assistance is requested in Manage booking or through a local Qatar Airways office. A Complaint Resolution Official (CRO) is available at every US airport it serves.

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

Accepted but approval is required: "Battery-powered wheelchairs and mobility aids will be accepted as checked baggage and kept in the aircraft hold", and every battery-powered mobility-aid category on the restricted-items page is marked "Need approval". The Australia plan says approval must be sought at least 24 h before departure. Qatar Airways "will not accept the transport of a damaged or leaking battery".

Disability and medical assistance (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29  Restricted items — Mobility aids (battery-powered mobility aids) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29  Disability Access Facilitation Plan for Qatar Airways (Australia) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Lithium-ion batteries
Conditional

Accepted with airline approval on the current restricted-items page. Caution: Qatar Airways' Australia Disability Access Facilitation Plan still says "If an electric wheelchair has a lithium ion battery, it cannot be transported on a Qatar Airways flight" — the two QR documents directly contradict each other; confirm with the airline before travelling.

Restricted items — Mobility aids (battery-powered mobility aids) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29  Disability Access Facilitation Plan for Qatar Airways (Australia) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Watt-hour cap — battery stays in the chair
No stated limit

Qatar Airways states there is no cap while the battery stays fitted: "If the battery is attached to your mobility aid, there is no limit on its watt-hour (Wh) rating."

Restricted items — Mobility aids (battery-powered mobility aids) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

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

"If you however remove the battery from your mobility aid, the battery must not exceed the watt hour rating of 300Wh." Removed batteries must be placed in a protective pouch and carried in the passenger cabin.

Restricted items — Mobility aids (battery-powered mobility aids) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Watt-hour cap — spare battery
300 Wh

"You may carry a maximum of one spare lithium ion battery with a Wh rating not exceeding 300 Wh, or a maximum of two spare lithium ion batteries, each with Wh rating not exceeding 160 Wh", in a protective pouch in the cabin.

Restricted items — Mobility aids (battery-powered mobility aids) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Spare batteries permittedmaximum number under any published configuration
2

Lithium ion: one spare up to 300 Wh, or two spares up to 160 Wh each, carried in the cabin. Non-spillable: one spare wet non-spillable battery, or two spare nickel metal hydride or dry batteries, in rigid packaging in the hold. (The Australia access plan says all spare batteries must go in the hold and never in the cabin — this conflicts with the restricted-items page for lithium.)

Restricted items — Mobility aids (battery-powered mobility aids) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29  Disability Access Facilitation Plan for Qatar Airways (Australia) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Battery must be removed
Conditional

Only where the design or stowage requires it. QR does not require a lithium battery to be removed — it may stay attached with no Wh limit; "if you however remove the battery" it must not exceed 300 Wh and travels in the cabin. A spillable battery "must be removed" if the aid cannot always be loaded, stowed, secured and unloaded upright or does not adequately protect it; gel/dry and wet non-spillable batteries "do not need to be disconnected or removed".

Restricted items — Mobility aids (battery-powered mobility aids) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29  Disability Access Facilitation Plan for Qatar Airways (Australia) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

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

Accepted with airline approval: wet non-spillable, nickel metal hydride and dry (gel cell) batteries. Non-spillable batteries may not contain free or unabsorbed liquid. Removed batteries and spares must travel in strong rigid packaging in the cargo compartment. Maximum one spare wet non-spillable battery, or two spare NiMH or dry batteries.

Restricted items — Mobility aids (battery-powered mobility aids) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Wet / spillable batteries
Conditional

Accepted with airline approval. The battery should be fitted with spill-resistant vent caps where feasible; if the aid cannot always be loaded, stowed, secured and unloaded upright, or does not adequately protect the battery, the battery must be removed and carried in strong, rigid, leak-tight packaging, upright, with absorbent material, marked "BATTERY, WET, WITH WHEELCHAIR" or "BATTERY, WET, WITH MOBILITY AID" plus Corrosive and Package Orientation labels, loaded in the cargo compartment.

Restricted items — Mobility aids (battery-powered mobility aids) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Terminal protection & immobilisation
Yes

"Please ensure that you take measures to prevent the unintentional activation of your mobility aid(s)", and removed batteries must be "properly packed in order to prevent short-circuiting or damage". The Australia plan adds that the control box must be switched off or the key removed.

Restricted items — Mobility aids (battery-powered mobility aids) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29  Disability Access Facilitation Plan for Qatar Airways (Australia) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Paperwork the airline wants
Yes

"Details of your wheelchair or mobility aid and batteries must be provided to our staff before travel. This will enable our staff to better assist you as well as to take adequate safety measures." Battery-powered aids additionally require Qatar Airways approval before carriage.

Disability and medical assistance (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29  Restricted items — Mobility aids (battery-powered mobility aids) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29  Disability Access Facilitation Plan for Qatar Airways (Australia) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Size limit for a powered chairAirline’s stated maximum wheelchair size
89 cm long · 41.5 cm wide · 27 cm high

Australia access plan only, section 7.5 "Mobility Equipment Size Restrictions": "The folded dimensions are Length 890mm x Width 415mm x 270mm", stated above the "Electric Mobility Aids (including Power Assist Wheelchairs)" subsection, and 7.5(c) requires that where "an Electric or Manual Mobility Aid is Separated into parts" every part "must comply with the size restrictions" and none exceed 32 kg unless loadable upright in freewheel mode. The 270 mm figure is unlabelled; recorded here as height. QR's global pages publish no powered-chair size limit.

Disability Access Facilitation Plan for Qatar Airways (Australia) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Weight limit for a powered chair
Not published

No fixed cap for a powered chair: the Australia access plan's 32 kg per-piece limit expressly excludes "mobility equipment which can travel in the upright position in the free wheel mode (for example, electric wheelchair)". Anything over 32 kg that cannot travel upright in freewheel mode must go as freight at standard rates.

Disability Access Facilitation Plan for Qatar Airways (Australia) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Returned at the aircraft door
Conditional

"You will be able to use your personal wheelchair or mobility aid wherever possible." Australia plan: for an electric chair the default is to transfer at check-in; "in some airports and depending on operational requirements" a passenger may use it to the departure gate, but "transfer at the departure gate cannot be guaranteed" as the chair may need disassembly. On arrival the aid must pass security screening; generally returned within 30 minutes, but not guaranteed.

Disability and medical assistance (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29  Disability Access Facilitation Plan for Qatar Airways (Australia) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Every battery-powered mobility aid needs Qatar Airways approval before carriage (ICAO/IATA/CASA requirement). Damaged or leaking batteries are refused outright.

Manual wheelchairs

Manual chairs accepted
Yes

"We will provide needed assistance and carry either your wheelchair or mobility aid at no extra charge", and you can use your own chair "wherever possible" through the airport. The Australia access plan adds that Mobility Equipment is "carried free of charge as checked baggage" and that "Manual wheelchairs must be stowed in the aircraft hold."

Disability and medical assistance (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29  Disability Access Facilitation Plan for Qatar Airways (Australia) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Folding chair may travel in the cabin
No

Australia access plan: "Manual wheelchairs must be stowed in the aircraft hold." Collapsible walking frames may be stowed in the cabin if crew can do so safely, and canes/crutches may be carried on board, but no wheelchair may. QR's global pages neither offer in-cabin wheelchair stowage nor give a cabin stowage size, so this is an Australia-scoped statement.

Disability Access Facilitation Plan for Qatar Airways (Australia) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

In-cabin stowage limit
Not published

Not published; Qatar Airways gives no in-cabin stowage size for a folding wheelchair.

Size limit for a checked manual chairAirline’s stated maximum wheelchair size
89 cm long · 41.5 cm wide · 27 cm high

Australia access plan only: "All manual wheelchairs must fit within the size restrictions. The folded dimensions are Length 890mm x Width 415mm x 270mm" (the 270 mm figure is unlabelled in the PDF; recorded here as height). A chair that fits but cannot travel upright is carried only if under 32 kg and the manufacturer confirms it can travel on its side. Qatar Airways' global site publishes no maximum wheelchair size — treat this as an Australia-scoped figure and confirm with QR.

Disability Access Facilitation Plan for Qatar Airways (Australia) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Weight limit for a manual chair
32 kg

From Qatar Airways' Australia access plan: each piece of mobility equipment must not exceed 32 kg, "except mobility equipment which can travel in the upright position in the free wheel mode". Items over 32 kg that cannot travel upright in freewheel mode "must be carried as freight at standard freight rates". Qatar Airways' global pages publish no weight limit.

Disability Access Facilitation Plan for Qatar Airways (Australia) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Returned at the aircraft door
Conditional

"You will be able to use your personal wheelchair or mobility aid wherever possible. However, another wheelchair will be used to take you to your allocated seat." Australia plan: "In all airports other than Brisbane airport, the passenger is able to use their manual wheelchair to the departure gate"; on arrival passengers may "in most airports" choose the arrival gate "(where possible)" or oversize baggage, generally within 30 minutes, though this "cannot be guaranteed on all flights".

Disability and medical assistance (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29  Disability Access Facilitation Plan for Qatar Airways (Australia) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Canes, crutches and walking sticks can be taken on board and stowed by the crew. The 890 x 415 x 270 mm folded-dimension rule and the 32 kg limit come from the Australia Disability Access Facilitation Plan, which also contains statements (a blanket lithium-battery ban, spare batteries in the hold) that the current qatarairways.com restricted-items page contradicts — treat that PDF as possibly out of date.

Booking & cost

Advance notice requiredhours before scheduled departure
72h

Strictest deadline, from the restricted-items page that flags every battery-powered mobility aid "Need approval": "If you require the prior permission of Qatar Airways to carry any dangerous goods, please contact us at least 72 hours prior to your flight." Other figures: a wheelchair can be requested "anytime up to 48 hours before departure" via Manage booking; a MEDIF at least 48 h and no more than 7 days before departure; the Australia plan sets only 24 h for battery-aid approval.

Disability and medical assistance (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29  Restricted items — Mobility aids (battery-powered mobility aids) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29  Disability Access Facilitation Plan for Qatar Airways (Australia) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

How to request assistance
Tell Qatar Airways at booking or in Manage booking (or via a local Qatar Airways office) up to 48 hours before departure; battery-powered mobility aids additionally need Qatar Airways approval

QR: request special services through Manage booking on qatarairways.com or the app, or contact your local Qatar Airways office. Assistance to your seat with a wheelchair must be requested in advance. All battery-operated mobility aids are flagged "Need approval" on the restricted-items page, which asks you to contact QR "at least 72 hours prior to your flight" for anything needing its prior permission.

Disability and medical assistance (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29  Restricted items — Mobility aids (battery-powered mobility aids) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29  Disability Access Facilitation Plan for Qatar Airways (Australia) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Charge for carrying the aid
No fee

"We will provide needed assistance and carry either your wheelchair or mobility aid at no extra charge." The Australia access plan adds that mobility equipment is carried free "in addition to your other checked baggage".

Disability and medical assistance (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29  Disability Access Facilitation Plan for Qatar Airways (Australia) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Mobility devices carried free
1

"One wheelchair or mobility aid per passenger is permitted at no extra charge. Charges may apply for additional items." Note: Qatar Airways' Australia access plan instead states two pieces of Mobility Equipment per person free of charge — the two documents disagree.

Disability and medical assistance (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29  Disability Access Facilitation Plan for Qatar Airways (Australia) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

If they damage your chair
Qatar Airways' Australia access plan states it accepts no liability for damage to a passenger's mobility aid

The only mobility-aid liability statement Qatar Airways publishes is in its Australia Disability Access Facilitation Plan: "whilst all reasonable care will be taken by Qatar Airways, Qatar Airways accepts no liability for any damage to the passenger's mobility aid and the passenger is responsible for taking out insurance for your mobility aid." On flights to/from the USA the DOT rule 14 CFR Part 382 applies regardless; a Complaint Resolution Official is available at each US airport served.

Disability and medical assistance (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29  Disability Access Facilitation Plan for Qatar Airways (Australia) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

On board

On-board aisle chair
Conditional

"On-board wheelchairs are available on our Airbus A330, A350, A380, and Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft." The Australia access plan confirms the facility "is not available on narrow bodied aircraft", so it is not available on the A320-family fleet.

Disability and medical assistance (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29  Disability Access Facilitation Plan for Qatar Airways (Australia) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Accessible lavatory
Not published

Not published per aircraft. Qatar Airways says only that its aircraft have "hand rails in lavatories in selected aircraft" and that "toilets/lavatories on most of our aircraft are equipped with facilities such as hand rails"; it does not state which aircraft have a wheelchair-accessible lavatory.

Crew help you transfer
Yes

"Another wheelchair will be used to take you to your allocated seat on the aircraft. In order to receive assistance to your seat, you need to make a request in advance." In flight, cabin crew "can assist to and from the door of the aircraft toilet, but are not able to assist with transfers to the toilet" — a carer is required if you cannot self-toilet, eat or take medication unaided.

Disability and medical assistance (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29  Disability Access Facilitation Plan for Qatar Airways (Australia) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Seating & movable armrests
Yes

"Our aircraft have a range of mobility-friendly facilities on board, such as seats with movable armrests." Seat selection can be requested with the special-services request; where an accessible toilet exists on the aircraft, pre-flight editing automatically seats you near it.

Disability and medical assistance (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29  Disability Access Facilitation Plan for Qatar Airways (Australia) (opens in a new tab) · read 2026-07-29

Fleet detail. Qatar Airways publishes no per-aircraft hold or door dimensions. Its Australia Disability Access Facilitation Plan is the only document giving numbers: all manual wheelchairs must fit folded dimensions of 890 x 415 x 270 mm (89 x 41.5 x 27 cm); each piece of mobility equipment must be under 32 kg unless it can travel upright in freewheel mode; a chair that fits but cannot travel upright is accepted only under 32 kg and with manufacturer confirmation it can travel on its side; heavier non-upright items must be sent as freight. On-board wheelchairs exist on the A330, A350, A380, 777 and 787 but not on narrowbodies.

Worth knowing

Qatar Airways' current restricted-items page publishes a good mobility-aid battery table: no watt-hour limit while a lithium battery stays attached, 300 Wh once removed (spares: 1 x 300 Wh or 2 x 160 Wh, in the cabin in a protective pouch), plus full spillable and non-spillable handling rules. Every battery-powered mobility aid is marked "Need approval". MAJOR CONTRADICTION a human must resolve: Qatar Airways' own Australia Disability Access Facilitation Plan (linked from the current disability page) still says lithium-ion electric wheelchairs "cannot be transported on a Qatar Airways flight" and that spare batteries must go in the hold, never the cabin - the exact opposite of the restricted-items page. That PDF is also the only source for the 32 kg / 890 x 415 x 270 mm size rules, for the two-mobility-items allowance (the global page says one), and for the statement that QR "accepts no liability for any damage to the passenger's mobility aid". Qatar Airways' /accessibility.html page is a digital-accessibility statement, not a mobility policy; the mobility content is at /services-special/disability-and-medical.html. The Arabic site was not needed - the English content is the fuller version.

Sources

Every figure above traces to one of these.

  1. s1 Disability and medical assistance (opens in a new tab) · official · read 2026-07-29
  2. s2 Restricted items — Mobility aids (battery-powered mobility aids) (opens in a new tab) · official · read 2026-07-29
  3. s3 Accessibility (digital accessibility statement and accessibility helpline) (opens in a new tab) · official · read 2026-07-29
  4. s4 Disability Access Facilitation Plan for Qatar Airways (Australia) (opens in a new tab) · official · read 2026-07-29
  5. s5 Special services (opens in a new tab) · official · read 2026-07-29
  6. s6 Medical Information Form (MEDIF) (opens in a new tab) · official · read 2026-07-29

Record quality

Record status researched · confidence high · 6 official sources · 7 contacts · 93% of the fields this reference tracks are answered. Newest source read 29 July 2026, the day before this page was built. What these mean.