A rollator is more than just a walking aid designed to get you to the shops and back. A rollator is specially designed to allow you to retain a sense of freedom in your life, unburdened by stress and pain. Without one, simple acts like getting from the kitchen to the toilet may come with delay and discomfort. With one, suddenly the realms of possibility include weekend getaways, walking holidays, and international vacations. Travelling with a rollator doesn't have to be complicated or stressful. In fact, it should be just the opposite.
Let's take a look at our favourite tips and tricks to get the most out of your rollator travels.
Do I Have to Check My Rollator Into the Hold?
No matter what anyone at the airport may tell you, you certainly do not have to check your rollator in at the counter. This is an important walking aid, and you have every right to rely on it for your full airport experience. After all, they wouldn't take a wheelchair away from someone, now would they?
All you have to do is request a gate tag, and you will be allowed to keep your rollator for your entire stay at the airport. That means you can use it through check-in, security, waiting rooms, boarding, disembarking, baggage reclaim, and more. Of course, in order to get the maximum benefits out of travelling with a rollator, you should invest in a model that is specifically designed to fold up and stow away safely.
What Are the Benefits of Using a Rollator at the Airport?
The difference between using and losing your rollator for your airport journey can be night and day. Let's take a look at some prime examples.
- Pain-free independence: We all know how much walking and queuing can be involved during a trip to the airport. The journey from security to the gate alone can sometimes take 10–20 minutes of non-stop walking. By keeping your rollator by your side, you maintain a sense of independence during this journey, while also remaining safe and stable. When moving through check-in, security, and gate wait areas, you can also take regular breaks if needed, without needing an airport employee to wait with you.
- Easier for travelling companions: Flights can be stressful enough without having to think about the well-being of your travelling companion. Who has the passports? Where are our boarding passes? Have you got your suitcase? Where shall we get breakfast? What time does our gate open? Juggling all of that stress while also having to physically help your loved one through the airport can be a heavy burden. Relying on a rollator removes that stress and burden for everyone involved, while also reducing the likelihood of fatigue.
- Gate-checked items are VIP: If you check in a suitcase at the bag drop desk in the departure hall, you not only lose it for the duration of your journey through the airport, but it is also likely to be among the first items loaded onto the plane. First item in means last item out. Gate-checked items, on the other hand, are among the final things to be loaded onto the aircraft. This reduces the risk of your rollator getting damaged or buried, while also allowing you to rely on its manoeuvrability right up until boarding.
How Do You Gate-Check a Rollator at the Airport?
Don't worry, the process could not be simpler! All it requires is good communication.
- Upon arrival at the airport, inform the check-in agent that you would like to gate-check your rollator.
- The check-in agent should give you a gate check tag that shows your rollator is designated for priority handling.
- You can keep your rollator through the security checks, but it will have to be X-rayed or manually inspected. This doesn't usually take long.
- Use your rollator as you normally would through every step of your airport journey.
- At the start of boarding, staff will attach the gate check tag and load your rollator safely onto the plane.
- Your rollator will be there waiting for you as you leave the plane upon arrival, allowing you to move safely and freely through the airport at your destination.
How to Protect Your Rollator While Travelling
Unfortunately, no matter what you do, your rollator will have to spend some time in the hold. Although gate-checked items are loaded last and unloaded first, there is still some risk of damage. Occasionally, suitcases and other items shift during the flight, or there can be accidents during the loading and unloading process itself. That brings nightmare scenarios like bent frames, damaged wheels, and broken brakes into reality. The last thing you want is to arrive at your holiday destination without your reliable rollator by your side.
So, what can you do to help? By investing in a quality travel bag that is specifically desiged to hug the lines of your rollator, like the one for the byACRE Ultralight or Trust Care's, you can add an extra layer of security and peace of mind to your travels. Travel bags keep everything tucked away and safe, drastically reducing the risk of significant damage. When compared to repair costs, replacement parts, and sheer inconvenience, the cost of a travel bag is a drop in the ocean, especially if you are a frequent traveller.
How Modern AirTag Technology Can Add an Extra Layer of Rollator Security
Investing in a travel bag and gate-checking your rollator can keep it safe from harm during the travel process, but why not add an extra layer of security? Top-of-the-range rollators do not come cheap, which unfortunately means they can come at risk of theft. By utilising modern digital tracking alongside physical safety measures, you can rest easy in the knowledge that your rollator is safe on all accounts.
Apple AirTags are so effective that even major airlines are now implementing them into their customer service options. That means not only can you track your own rollator using an Apple AirTag, but you can also share the location with airport staff in real time. That way, if the worst comes to the worst and your rollator ever goes missing, you'll have everyone on the case.
All you have to do is use the Apple Share Item Location feature to generate a secure link. This will provide you and the airport staff with your rollator's location on an interactive map, complete with automatic updates and timestamps. If it ever goes missing, staff should be able to track it down in no time.
Top Tips for Using Apple AirTags on Your Rollator
- Attach the AirTag somewhere secure, such as inside the travel bag, to ensure it stays attached throughout the journey.
- Make sure the AirTag is concealed so that it cannot be removed or stolen.
- Test your AirTag before travelling, including its connection to your phone app.
- Make sure the battery is in full working order.
Which UK and European Airlines Support AirTag Location Sharing?
As of 2026, Apple's Share Item Location feature is supported by 36 airlines worldwide. If you are travelling from the UK or Europe, the following carriers have integrated the feature directly into their baggage handling systems, meaning their staff can access your AirTag's live location to help recover a missing item:
- British Airways
- Virgin Atlantic
- Aer Lingus
- Air France
- KLM
- Lufthansa
- Austrian Airlines
- Brussels Airlines
- Eurowings
- SWISS
- Iberia
- Vueling
- Condor
- Finnair
- Pegasus Airlines
- Turkish Airlines
- SunExpress
It is worth noting that popular budget carriers such as Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air, and TUI fly are not currently on the list. That said, this does not mean AirTags are prohibited on those airlines, you can still use one to monitor your rollator's location yourself. The difference is that their staff are not yet set up to receive and act on a shared AirTag link if your rollator goes missing.
Choosing the Best Physical Security Strap for Your Rollator
If you want to add another layer of security to your rollator, why not invest in a security strap with a combination lock? Not only does this make the rollator physically difficult to steal, but it also serves as a visual deterrent. It also gives you peace of mind knowing that your travel bag cannot be opened without a combination, while the strap itself makes it easier to spot at baggage reclaim. Be sure to look out for the following features:
- Adjustable strap that fits all rollator sizes, shapes, and models
- Strong, high-grade, cut-resistant material that will stand up to a flight in the hold
- Easy-to-use combination lock — not too small or fiddly
- Brightly coloured strap to make it even easier to spot
- Weather-resistant strap and lock to work in all climates
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