Let’s be honest. Airports are a sensory circus at the best of times—beeping carts, barking intercoms, blinking lights, and thousands of people all somehow walking in different directions at once. Now toss in vision loss, and it’s like trying to beat a video game on nightmare mode while riding a unicycle.

But take it from me: you absolutely can do this—and do it with grace, grit, and maybe even a little style. Whether you’re new to air travel as a blind or low vision traveler, or you’ve got more boarding passes than socks, this guide is here to help you keep your confidence, your independence, and your cane firmly in hand (and not, as once happened to me, caught in a closing escalator).

Below are the best hacks, hard-won lessons, and empowering truths I’ve picked up from flying across the country with a white cane or my guide dog, Fauna, in tow. Let’s take off together.

Step One: Booking Assistance That Actually Shows Up

When booking a flight, there’s a little checkbox that says “Request special assistance.” Click it. Then forget it. Because let’s be real: that checkbox might as well be connected to a shredder in a breakroom somewhere.

Instead, call the airline directly after booking. Speak to an actual human and let them know you’ll need assistance at both ends of your journey—departure and arrival. Be specific. Say:
“I am a blind traveler. I’ll need assistance from curbside to the gate, including TSA, and again from the arrival gate to baggage claim.”

Pro tip: Get a confirmation number or note added to your reservation. Then, 48 hours before your flight, call again and double-check that your request is still noted. It sounds excessive, but it drastically reduces your chances of being left standing solo at the ticket counter while assistance is “on the way” (which is travel speak for “We forgot. Again.”)

And if you’re using a guide dog, let them know. I usually say:
“I’ll be traveling with a guide dog. Please notify TSA and the gate team ahead of time. She is trained and accustomed to air travel.”

Make sure when you arrive at the airport for your flight that you have that Department of Transportation form for your service animal all filled out and ready to go. Doing it at the gate is always an option, but the folks manning the counter have enough to deal with, make things go smoother and get that form filled out ahead of time.

I have found out that having Fauna listed in my reservation helps streamline things at check-in and boarding. She’s adorable, but not a shared emotional support animal for Row 22.

Navigating TSA: Dignity Intact, Cane in Hand

TSA checkpoints can feel like a chaotic interpretive dance—shoes off, laptop out, belt off, stand here, wait there. For blind travelers, it’s a lot of trusting strangers to guide you… while still trying to hang onto your dignity and maybe your pants.

Here’s how to glide through TSA like a pro:

With a Cane:

• At security, clearly state: “I am blind and using a white cane.”
• You can request a manual pat-down instead of going through the body scanner—and you should. The scanners don’t love canes.
• Ask for the cane to stay within reach, and if they must inspect it, ask that they do it by hand and in your presence.

With a Guide Dog:

• Tell them upfront: “I have a guide dog, and I’d prefer to walk through together.” Most TSA agents are trained to let you walk through the metal detector with your dog. If an alarm goes off, they’ll swab your hands and maybe the harness—but your dog never leaves your side.
• Most of the time, TSA will request that you place your dog on a sit/stay and have you walk through the scanner by yourself. It is a challenge to not touch the side of the scanner, because if you do it will go off. The worst part is that the TSA agent will usually use a hand signal to let you know it is your turn to go through the scanner. Yeah, not great if you are blind and the funny thing is that most of them don’t even realize what they are doing.
• Whether you decide to let them separate you from your dog to go through the scanner is your call. Remember that it is your right to keep your cane with you or your guide with you as you pass through the scanner. Do also remember that they have to follow procedure and they aren’t late for their flight, and a private screening can take a lot more time than you expect. Pick the hill you are willing to die on for this fight.
• You can also request a private screening if things get too chaotic. I’ve only needed it once, but knowing it’s an option made a stressful moment feel more in my control.

Remember, the TSA agents may not always know what to do—but you do. Be calm, be clear, and if necessary, educate them. I once had to walk a TSA supervisor through the proper procedure while he read the training manual. (Five stars for effort. Two stars for preparation.)

Boarding the Plane Without Everyone Petting Your Dog

Ah yes—boarding. The time when every person in the boarding group seems to forget what “Do Not Pet” means. If you’re flying with a guide dog, boarding is both a logistical puzzle and a social minefield.

Here’s what works:

• Pre-board whenever possible. Even if the airline doesn’t call for pre-boarding explicitly, go to the counter and say:
  “Hi, I’m a blind passenger with a guide dog. We’d like to pre-board to settle in before the rush.”
  Most gate agents will accommodate this. If they don’t, escalate calmly. Pre-boarding allows you to get your dog positioned and your carry-ons stowed before a wall of humanity fills the aisle.
• Block the petting early. As you board, some passengers may reach out and say, “Oh what a good boy!” (Fauna is a girl, thank you very much). I keep it light but firm:
  “She’s working, please don’t distract her.”
  You’re not being rude. You’re protecting your safety and your dog’s focus. Most people understand, especially when you say it with kindness and authority.
• Seat Selection Tips:
  I usually request an aisle seat near the front, where there’s more legroom for Fauna and less chaos during deplaning. Many airlines will let you pre-select this if you call ahead.

Advocate Like a Boss (When Gate Agents Get Confused)

Some gate agents are fantastic. Others look at your cane like you brought a live goose to board. If you run into confusion—about boarding order, assistance, or even whether your dog is “allowed”—advocate with clarity and confidence.

• Always stay calm.
• Reference the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) if necessary. You are protected under this law as a traveler with a disability.
• Say: “I’m a blind traveler. I’ve arranged for assistance, and I need to speak with the CRO (Complaints Resolution Official).”
  The CRO is the airline’s go-to person for disability issues, and mentioning them often lights a fire under the gate team.

If you ever feel that your needs weren’t met or you were treated unfairly, file a complaint. Seriously. It helps improve the system for all of us.

Airline Apps & Flight Trackers: Screen Reader Survival Guide

Airline apps can be a mixed bag, accessibility-wise. But many have gotten better in recent years.

My go-to tools:

• VoiceOver or TalkBack with airline apps like United, Delta, and American Airlines (your mileage may vary).
• Aira – This is a paid service. An agent can pop onto your phone and see through the camera similar to BeMyEyes. I generally steer toward free apps, but it can be worth the money to have someone help you to the gate on your terms. Pro Tip: Many airports have free aira service, I use this app all the time when I am traveling solo.  
• Flighty (iOS) – an excellent flight tracker with VoiceOver compatibility. You can follow your flight’s path, gate info, and delay alerts.
• TripIt – for itinerary management, with solid screen reader support.

Always check in ahead of time with the app (if accessible), or call the airline to confirm your seat, assistance, and dog info. I always suggest taking a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the apps you will be using on your trip before you get to the airport. Finding your gate can be hectic enough without having to learn a new app along the way.

Carry-On Strategy: Pack Like a Ninja

Airports love to lose things. That’s why I pack smart—like a one-man band of independence.

My carry-on must-haves:

• Medications, chargers, and snacks – Never check anything you can’t afford to lose or need on hand.
• Dog gear – Fauna’s leash, collapsible bowl, and food go in an outer pocket for quick access.
• Earbuds – To drown out airport chaos with music, audiobooks, or the comforting voice of Morgan Freeman reading your GPS directions.
• Tactile labels or rubber bands – To mark important items (yes, even on a bag of trail mix).
• Portable charger – Because airports were apparently built on the belief that power outlets should be hidden like ancient treasure.

Bonus tip: I attach a Bluetooth tracker (like an AirTag or Tile) to my cane and my backpack. That way, if one wanders off (or is kindly “put somewhere safe” by an overzealous assistant), I can find it fast.

When It All Goes Sideways: Delays, Rebookings, Missing Assistance

Let’s face it—sometimes, despite our best prep, travel punches us in the nose.

Your connection gets canceled. Assistance doesn’t show. Your gate gets changed three times and your flight now leaves from a terminal only reachable by teleportation.

Here’s how to survive the chaos:

• Ask for help confidently. You deserve assistance. Speak up. Don’t wait.
• Stay charged and hydrated. Delays are easier with power and a bottle of water.
• Have a backup plan. If assistance is late, I’ll ask another passenger or staffer for help. Most people are kind when given a clear ask. I often use apps like aira to get me where I need to go in a pinch.
• Breathe. You’ve got this. And you’re not alone.

Final Boarding Call: You Can Do This

Air travel as a blind or low vision traveler is never effortless—but it is achievable. Every trip teaches you something. Every challenge met adds to your confidence. And every success—no matter how small—is worth celebrating.

I’ve missed flights, lost my cane (temporarily), had Fauna sneeze on a fellow passenger mid-flight (he deserved it), and accidentally tried to exit through the flight crew galley. I’ve also crossed oceans, met incredible people, and helped build a world that slowly, surely, is learning to be more accessible.

So here’s what I’ll leave you with:

• Advocate.
• Prepare.
• Laugh when you can.
• And share your story.

Whether you’re planning your first solo flight or your fiftieth, you belong in the skies. And if you ever need help, advice, or just a place to share your latest airport misadventure, BlindTravels.com is here for you.

Travel smart. Travel proud. And never let go of your cane… unless you’re handing it to TSA—for inspection, not as a weapon (though tempting at times).

Got a travel tale or a hard-won hack? Share it in the contact form or tag @BlindTravels online. Let’s make the world smaller, more accessible, and a heck of a lot more welcoming—together.

See you at the gate,
—Ted & Fauna 🐾🧳