East Midlands Airport Accessibility & Facilities Guide
Planning to travel through East Midlands Airport? This guide covers everything disabled, neurodivergent, and SEN passengers need to know about East Midlands' accessibility, facilities, and support services. Find information on special assistance booking, accessible toilets, quiet areas, parking, transport links, and the Sunflower Lanyard scheme.
At-a-glance
Key accessibility information
Everything you need before you arrive
Assistance Booking
- Who
- Dedicated assistance team. Single-terminal airport with assistance desk near check-in.
- How
- Via your airline, East Midlands Airport website, or call the assistance line.
- Min. notice
- 48 hours recommended. Walk-up assistance available but may involve longer waits.
Where to Go on Arrival
- Help point
- Car parks — Help Point intercoms at entrances
- Help point
- Terminal entrance — signed assistance desk
- Help point
- Bus station — Help Points at the main bus stops
- Tip
- Head to the assistance desk inside the terminal near check-in. Staff will coordinate your journey from there.
Step-Free Access
- Status
- Step-free route available through the single terminal to all gates.
- Pinch point
- Terminal has multiple levels — lifts available
- Pinch point
- Some gate areas involve longer walks from the main departures hall
- Pinch point
- Long Stay car park to terminal requires a shuttle bus (accessible)
Quiet / Sensory Spaces
- Available
- Yes
- Location
- Quiet/low-stimulation areas available in the departure lounge. Ask assistance staff for current location.
- Hours
- Available during terminal operating hours.
Changing Places & Accessible Toilets
- Changing Places
- Not available
- Location
- No Changing Places facility currently confirmed
- Accessible toilets
- Throughout the terminal, landside and airside.
Sunflower Support
- Where
- Free from information desks in the terminal.
- How
- No proof needed. Ask at any information desk or assistance point.
Security Support
- Priority lane
- Available. Assistance staff escort you through a dedicated lane.
- How to request
- Pre-book assistance or ask at the assistance desk on arrival.
Accessibility Ratings & Reviews
CAA Accessibility Rating (2024/2025)
Rated by the UK Civil Aviation Authority under their Airport Accessibility Framework.
View full CAA reportAccessAble Detailed Access Guide
This airport does not currently have an AccessAble Detailed Access Guide.
CAA ratings are from the Airport Accessibility Performance Report 2024/2025. Ratings are based on waiting times, complaint handling, consultation, and overall service quality for disabled and less mobile passengers. Smaller airports below 150,000 annual passengers may not be individually rated.
Special Assistance Services
Contact your airline at least 48 hours before travel. You can also request assistance through the East Midlands Airport website.
On arrival, use the Help Points in the car park or terminal entrance, or head to the assistance desk inside the terminal.
Accessible Facilities
Accessible toilets
Available throughout the terminal, landside and airside.
Wheelchair provision
Wheelchairs available. Your own wheelchair can be used to the aircraft door.
Assistance dogs
Welcome throughout. Relief areas available outside the terminal.
Hearing loops
Induction loops at key service points.
Accessible parking
Blue Badge spaces close to the terminal entrance.
🌻 Hidden Disabilities & Sunflower Lanyard
East Midlands participates in the Sunflower lanyard scheme. Lanyards are free from information desks. No proof of disability is required.
Sensory Profile (ND/SEN)
For neurodivergent and sensory-sensitive passengers
Noise Hotspots
- •Security hall — scanner alarms, crowds (peak: 03:00–06:00 for early budget departures)
- •Main departures concourse — retail noise, announcements
- •Gate areas — boarding calls, can be busy at peak times
- •Baggage reclaim — carousel noise, echoing space
Lighting Notes
- •Main terminal — mix of natural and artificial light
- •Departure lounge — bright commercial lighting in retail areas
- •Gate areas — generally calmer than main concourse
- •Quiet areas — lower-lit and calmer
Quieter Areas
- •Designated quiet areas in departure lounge (ask staff)
- •Gate areas furthest from the main retail zone
- •Multi-faith room (quiet, low-lit)
- •Seating areas away from main shopping concourse
Queue Predictability
Very early morning (03:00–06:00) is busiest — East Midlands handles many early budget airline departures. Assistance passengers are escorted through a dedicated security lane. Skylink bus services from Derby, Nottingham, Leicester, and Loughborough are accessible.
Suggested Request Script
“I have a hidden disability / I'm neurodivergent and I've pre-booked assistance. I find busy and noisy environments difficult. Could you please take me to a quieter area and let me know what each step involves before it happens?”
You can say this to any staff member, or show it on your phone.
Getting There & Transport
By bus
Skylink bus services connect the airport to Derby, Nottingham, Leicester, and Loughborough with accessible vehicles.
By car
Blue Badge parking available close to the terminal entrance.
By taxi
Accessible taxis available from the rank outside the terminal.
Drop-off & pick-up
Designated areas outside the terminal. Blue Badge concessions may apply.
Passenger Rights & Complaints
Your legal rights
Under the UK Equality Act 2010 and EU Regulation 1107/2006, airports and airlines must provide assistance to disabled passengers free of charge. This includes wheelchair assistance, accessible toilets, and other reasonable adjustments.
How to complain
- Contact the airport's customer service team directly with details of what happened.
- If unresolved, escalate to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) at caa.co.uk.
- Document everything: what happened, when, who was involved, and keep records of all communication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Compare other Midlands airports
Useful links
Last checked: 4 March 2026