Wheelchair Assistance and Baggage Allowance
for UK Umrah Travellers

When travelling from the UK for Umrah or Hajj, understanding your airline’s baggage allowance and wheelchair assistance policy can make your journey much easier. Different airlines have different rules for checked baggage, hand luggage, wheelchairs, mobility aids, excess baggage and special assistance.

At Platinum Travels, we understand that many pilgrims travel with elderly family members, children or passengers with limited mobility. We therefore recommend checking these arrangements carefully before travelling to Saudi Arabia.

How Much Baggage Is Included in Your Umrah or Hajj Ticket?

Your baggage allowance is normally determined by your airline, route, cabin class and fare type. It is important to check the baggage allowance printed on your ticket or booking confirmation rather than relying on a general figure.

Some airlines use a weight concept, such as a total allowance of 20kg, 25kg, 30kg or more. Other airlines use a piece concept, where you may receive one or more bags with a specific maximum weight per bag.

For example, Qatar Airways states that baggage allowances can vary according to route and cabin class, and its current Economy fare options can have different checked-baggage allowances. It also specifies separate cabin-baggage limits.

This means two passengers travelling on the same airline may have different baggage allowances if they have different fare types or itineraries.

Always Check These 5 Things Before Travelling

Qatar Airways, for example, warns that another airline operating part of a codeshare or interline journey may apply a different baggage allowance.

Wheelchair Assistance for Umrah and Hajj Passengers

Wheelchair assistance is especially important for elderly pilgrims and passengers who have difficulty walking long distances through airports. Airlines generally provide different levels of assistance. These may include assistance through the airport terminal, assistance to the aircraft steps, or assistance all the way to the aircraft seat.

For example, Qatar Airways uses internationally recognised wheelchair assistance codes such as WCHR, WCHS and WCHC, depending on the passenger’s mobility requirements.

Passengers should tell the airline or travel agent about their wheelchair requirement before the journey, preferably at the time of booking. Qatar Airways recommends making wheelchair requests at least 48 hours before departure, while Emirates also recommends notifying the airline at booking or at least 48 hours before travel.

Wheelchair Assistance Is Not the Same as Extra Baggage

One important point for Umrah and Hajj travellers is that a wheelchair or qualifying mobility aid may be carried under the airline’s special-assistance or mobility-equipment rules rather than simply being deducted from your normal baggage allowance.

However, the rules differ between airlines, so passengers should confirm their specific booking conditions before travelling.