Norfolk International Airport is fully accessible to handicapped travelers and provides the following features and equipment to allow greater ease of movement for non-ambulatory travelers.
Parking Lots and Garages
Access ramps to accommodate wheelchair travel are located at both Hourly parking lots flanking the airport terminal as well as Daily parking lots and garages. Accessible parking spaces are available in Garages A, D, Daily Parking Lot East, Hourly Parking Garage A, Departures North and South lots. Daily (long-term) parking is $1.00 per 1/2 hour with a maximum of $11 per day. Parking charges are the same for the outdoor daily parking lot and parking garages. Four parking garages are connected to the Arrivals Terminal allowing covered transfer between car and airline gate. Hourly parking rates: $1.00 for each half hour (or any part thereof) with a maximum daily rate of $24.00.
All patrons, including those with disabled parking placards/license plates, can park free of charge for up to 30 minutes in any airport parking lot or garage. No additional discounts will be provided except for Parking Perks reservations. A free Cell Phone Lot is available in close proximity to the Arrivals Terminal for passenger pickup.
Departures and Arrivals Terminals
Ramps are available curbside at both complexes.
Doors
Terminal entrances and exits on both Arrival and Departure sides are equipped with automatic double doors; door widths are designed to easily accommodate wheelchairs.
Elevators
Elevators are conveniently located throughout the Main Passenger Terminal, Arrivals (baggage claim) Terminal, and parking garages. All elevators are identified with the standard graphics used to designate handicapped facilities and are equipped with raised markings on the control buttons.
Restrooms
All restrooms feature one cubicle with a raised toilet seat designed primarily for non-ambulatory use. Their dimensions are wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair, and are equipped with handrails. Restrooms are also equipped with full-length mirrors and low-level paper towel dispensers/hand dryers. Family restrooms are located in the Arrivals Terminal, Main Lobby and Concourses. Mother’s Rooms are located in the Main Lobby and Concourses. Rooms are equipped with a rocking chair, changing table, sink and multiple outlets to give nursing mothers comfort and privacy.
Drinking Fountains
Water fountains throughout the terminals are positioned at a level comfortable for use from a wheelchair. Water bottle fill stations are also available on the airline concourses nearby TSA checkpoints.
Wheelchairs
Upon request, the airlines will provide complimentary wheelchair assistance. Wheelchairs can also be obtained upon arrival at the passenger terminal by calling Huntleigh USA (wheelchair/skycap service) at 757-889-9958.
Wheelchair accommodations and skycap assistance can be pre-arranged by calling the airlines prior to travel:
Allegiant – (705) 505-8888
American – (800) 433-7300
Breeze – flybreeze.com
Delta – (800) 221-1212
Frontier – (801) 401-9000
Southwest – (800) 435-9792
Spirit – (855) 728-3555
United – (800) 241-6522
Passenger Loading Bridges
The use of terminal-to-plane passenger loading bridges permits direct access to and from the aircraft, in most cases, without the necessity of ascending or descending steps between plane and terminal. Contact your airline to inquire about special lift capability for their aircraft in the event of ground loading.
Ground Transportation
On-site rental cars, taxi cabs and app-based transportation companies and peer-to-peer car sharing are located in the Arrivals Terminal. Reservation, pick up and return facilities are wheelchair accessible.
Coastal Ride is a full-service transportation company offering wheelchair accessible vehicles operated by certified drivers. Advance reservations for arriving travelers are not required.
Mobility Aids
Walkers, crutches, and canes may be taken aboard the aircraft. Service dogs are normally allowed to travel on the plane with you. Call the airline in advance to verify their policy and to make arrangements.
Continuing efforts are being made at Norfolk International Airport to ensure that travel procedures for all passengers may be accomplished with maximum ease and safety.
Traveling with Oxygen
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) has created a guide on Traveling Safely With Portable Oxygen to help people plan and prepare as well as provide safety tips for carrying oxygen in each mode of transportation.
TTY Telephone
A TTY (text telephone) is available and accessible 24 hours daily in the Norfolk Airport Authority Police dispatcher’s office (basement level in the main terminal). The local phone number is (757) 857-3872.
Check-In
Accessible ticket counters and self-service kiosks are located near airline ticket counters. Delta offers curbside check-in.
Luggage Carts
Self-serve Smarte Carte luggage carts are located outside the ticket counter areas at curbside on both sides of the Main Passenger Terminal, inside the Arrivals Terminal near baggage carousel 2 and at rental car return on Level 2-Garage A. The cost is $7 to rent a cart with a $.25 refund upon return to any cart rack.
Transportation Security Administration Security Checkpoints
TSA Cares offers a helpline that provides travelers with disabilities, medical conditions, and other special circumstances additional assistance during the security screening process. Call 72 hours prior to travel at (855) 787-2227 or federal relay 711 on weekdays, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET and weekends/holidays, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.
The TSA Cares Program will facilitate Passenger Support Specialist assistance at the airport upon your request.
A video specifically addressing Autism and the airport TSA experience can be viewed here.
Additional Information regarding facilities at Norfolk International Airport for travelers with disabilities may be found at AccessibleVirginia.org.
Hidden Disabilities
Norfolk International Airport (ORF) participates in The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program to enable people with non-visible disabilities to access the support they need.
Sunflower Lanyards act as a prompt to let others know they have a non-visible disability and that they may need a helping hand, understanding, or simply more time. Learn more about ORF’s program here.