Invisible Disabilities

Invisible Disabilities at Manchester Airport

We are working on ways to identify how we can improve the airport experience for our vulnerable passengers who may not want to share details of their invisible disabilities or use our assistance service.

If this applies to you or someone you're travelling with, we can offer you a special lanyard to wear on your journey through our airport. This will identify you to staff as someone who may need additional support or understanding. Our staff have been specially trained to recognise the lanyards and act accordingly. Please note this lanyard permits access to our family and priority lanes at security as well as the use of our assistance lanes at the UK Border on arrival into Manchester Airport.

To pick up a lanyard at Manchester, please go to one of our Assistance Reception areas. These are available within our Check-in halls in Terminal 1 A and B, Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. We will be happy to give you a lanyard, even if you haven't requested or need assisted travel. 

Please note, due to high demand, we are unable to post a lanyard to your home address in any circumstance. Please collect a lanyard from our assistance desk in the departure hall on your day of travel.

The Sunflower Room

The Sunflower Room in Terminal 1 is to aid Assisted Travel Guests who need to break away from the noise, bright lights and crowds of the main Departure Lounge to help them relax and feel calm in a quieter environment.

Guests who require use of the room will be guided here as part of the Assisted Travel Service.

Stomas - Tips for Travel

If you have a stoma, the prospect of completing security checks may seem daunting. Please be reassured that all of our security officers receive stoma awareness training, so you can be confident that you will be guided through the security process with dignity and care.

10 Useful Tips

1. Plan and prepare in advance of your trip.

2. Wrap clingfilm around liquid medication to prevent it leaking into other belongings.

3. Pack enough stoma bags – better to have too many than not enough, and have extra in hand luggage in case your hold bag does not arrive at your destination.

4. Liquid stoma glue will fit in a clear liquid bag and you should always remove it from your hand luggage.

5. You can carry scissors in your hand luggage with a blade length less than 6cm and with rounded ends.

6. At security, a private screening room is available – you can request this if selected for a manual body search.

7. Wear loose clothing, remove belts and place these in the screening trays.

8. Carry medication delivery notes on your person as this details what the medication is.

9. There can be queues at security – always be comfortable before entering the Security area.

10.Pack spare clothes in your hand luggage.

Diabetes

All departing passengers must complete security screening prior to entering the departures area.

The technology used in this area may not be compatible with medical equipment used in the management of diabetes including insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors.

More information can be found here, provided by the JDRF diabetes charity.

All Manchester Airport Security Officers receive appropriate training to ensure all customers with diabetes are treated sensitively and in line with Aviation Security protocols.

To help you during your trip, you can download and print a Medical Device Awareness card which is fully backed by the Civil Aviation Authority and recognised by Manchester Airport staff. This card offers an alternative to using a Sunflower Lanyard, if preferred.

Download the Medical Device Awareness Card here.