Travelling with a disability or reduced mobility can be unpredictable – not every airport lives up to its promises of support. But according to a new review-based ranking, some airports are getting it right.
UK-based mobility company Halton Stairlifts analysed 50,124 verified reviews across Google and TripAdvisor to reveal which airports are truly accessible. The reviews, collected between February and March 2025, were assessed for real passenger experiences with mobility services, staff support, signage clarity and accessible facilities like restrooms and transport links.
Each airport was given an Accessibility Score out of 100, based on a combination of keyword sentiment (for phrases like “wheelchair access”, “long wait” and “mobility assistance”), taking into account the wider context, tone and consistency of the review. Airports with positive feedback over time scored highest, highlighting those that deliver reliable accessibility day after day.
Smaller terminals, like Bristol in the UK (ranked number 10 on the list), stood out for their ease of navigation, while major hubs like Singapore Changi and Zurich, ranked in first and second place respectively, were commended for providing seamless support at scale. The presence of clear pathways, assistance kiosks, multilingual signage and trained staff made a tangible difference in traveller satisfaction.
Dubai International ranked ninth on the list – the only airport in the Middle East to make the top 10. Passengers highlighted its 24/7 assistance teams, accessible prayer rooms and staff responsiveness, noting that support was available in multiple languages and well-coordinated across terminals. Google reviewers also pointed to the ease of booking mobility assistance in advance and praised the airport’s efforts to improve signage and streamline the journey for those with reduced mobility, reinforcing Dubai’s growing reputation as a hub for inclusive, accessible travel.
“This research highlights how accessibility is experienced, not just promised,” says Neil McKenzie, accessibility specialist at Halton Stairlifts. “It’s not enough for airports to have facilities on paper – they need to deliver them reliably, day after day. This study puts the passenger experience first, and that’s where the truth lies.”
Below are the ten most accessible airports in the world right now, according to the reviews of those who’ve experienced them firsthand.
Top 10 most accessible airports in the world
Each airport’s accessibility score reflects a weighted combination of passenger sentiment, service consistency and mobility support infrastructure.
Accessibility score out of 100:
- Singapore Changi, Singapore (score: 96)
- Zurich Airport, Switzerland (score: 94)
- Amsterdam Schiphol, Netherlands (score: 92)
- Manchester Airport, United Kingdom (score: 91)
- Seoul Incheon, South Korea (score: 90)
- Vancouver International, Canada (score: 88)
- Edinburgh Airport, United Kingdom (score: 87)
- Munich Airport, Germany (score: 86)
- Dubai International, UAE (score: 85)
- Bristol Airport, United Kingdom (score: 84)
Accessibility tips for when you travel:
Across thousands of Google and TripAdvisor reviews of accessible travel, several practical suggestions came up consistently.
Bring printed instructions: Especially helpful for transfers, where signage can vary or be unclear.
Use special assistance lanes: Priority mobility lanes are often available in airports like Zurich and Amsterdam, though not always well signposted.
Avoid layovers at older terminals: Accessibility standards tend to drop sharply in less modernised terminals, particularly at airports like JFK or Heathrow.
Call ahead: Airports that allow assistance bookings in advance consistently received higher praise and smoother overall experiences.