How to Book Wheelchair Assistance on IndiGo

Updated September 2026 · HappyFares

If you or someone travelling with you needs a wheelchair at the airport, the request has to go to the airline that will actually fly you, not the site where you found the fare. Here is how that works on IndiGo, and what to expect on the day.

What do WCHR, WCHS and WCHC mean?

Airlines worldwide, IndiGo included, use a short set of standard codes to describe the level of help a passenger needs. WCHR is for someone who can walk and manage stairs but needs a wheelchair for the distance between the terminal entrance, check-in, security and the gate. WCHS is for a passenger who cannot manage stairs and needs to be wheeled the whole way, including up to the aircraft door. WCHC is for someone who needs a wheelchair and further help getting into the cabin and to their seat.

You do not need to know the exact code yourself. When you request assistance, IndiGo’s staff or the booking flow will work out which one applies based on the description you give them.

How do you actually request it on IndiGo?

There are three practical routes. You can add special assistance while booking directly on IndiGo’s own website or app, where an “Add Special Assistance” style option appears in the booking flow. If you have already booked, whether on IndiGo directly or elsewhere, you can add it afterwards through IndiGo’s Manage Booking section using your PNR and last name. Or you can call IndiGo’s customer care and have an agent add it to your booking over the phone.

HappyFares compares and books IndiGo flights for you, but the wheelchair request itself has to be made with IndiGo, since IndiGo is the one operating the flight and arranging the airport handling. Once you have your IndiGo booking confirmed on HappyFares, go to IndiGo’s Manage Booking or call their care line to add the assistance.

Is IndiGo wheelchair assistance free?

Yes. Wheelchair assistance at the airport is provided free of charge, and IndiGo does not ask for a medical certificate for the more common WCHR or WCHS requests. This is in line with how Indian carriers generally handle passengers with reduced mobility: the assistance itself is not a paid add-on.

Timing matters more than paperwork here. Airlines and ground handling teams plan wheelchair staffing around advance notice, so requesting at least 48 hours ahead gives IndiGo’s airport team time to have a wheelchair and an attendant ready when you land at the terminal.

Why can’t you web check in if you’ve requested a wheelchair?

Once a wheelchair or other special assistance request is attached to your booking, online check-in is generally switched off for that passenger. This is not unique to IndiGo, it is common practice, because assistance passengers need to be checked in in person so staff can confirm the level of help required, arrange the wheelchair and attendant, and coordinate boarding timing with the gate.

Practically, this means you should head to the check-in counter at the airport rather than trying to check in online or through the app the night before. Building in a bit of extra time for this counter process is worth it.

What happens at the airport on the day?

An attendant with a wheelchair meets you (or the passenger travelling) at the point IndiGo has agreed, typically the check-in counter or a designated special assistance point, and stays with you through security, immigration if it is an international flight, and up to the boarding gate or aircraft door depending on the code assigned. The same support is available on arrival, from the aircraft to the arrivals area, and for any connecting flight.

One small aviation fact worth knowing: these WCHR, WCHS and WCHC codes are not something IndiGo invented. They are standard passenger service codes used across the airline industry, which is why the same codes work whichever airline you eventually fly.

Common Questions

Can I request wheelchair assistance after I’ve already booked?

Yes. You do not need to have requested it at the time of booking. Use IndiGo’s Manage Booking with your PNR, or call customer care, and add it as early as you can, ideally with at least 48 hours’ notice.

Do I need a medical certificate?

For the common WCHR and WCHS requests, no medical certificate is required. If your situation is more complex, it is worth mentioning the details when you call, so IndiGo’s team can plan accordingly.

Can I request it for someone else, like a parent or grandparent?

Yes, as long as you have the booking reference and the traveller’s details, you can add the request on their behalf through Manage Booking or by phone.

What if I forget to request it in advance?

You can still ask at the airport counter on the day, but availability of a wheelchair and attendant is not guaranteed on short notice, especially during busy hours. Advance request remains the safer option.

Does IndiGo provide wheelchair assistance at every airport it flies to?

IndiGo aims to provide this service across its network, but ground handling arrangements can vary by airport. If you have an unusual routing or a very short connection, it is worth confirming with IndiGo customer care ahead of travel.

Is airport wheelchair assistance the same as help inside the cabin?

Not always. WCHR and WCHS cover getting you through the airport and to the aircraft door. If you also need help getting to your seat inside the cabin, that is closer to what WCHC covers, so mention this specifically when you request assistance.

Assistance policies and processes can change. Confirm current details directly with IndiGo before you travel.