Walking sticks, canes and crutches are generally allowed on Indian flights. In October 2025 the DGCA amended its rules on passengers with disability or reduced mobility, and news reports say airlines should carry assistive devices free of charge. Screening staff may examine the aid at security, and any assistance you need is requested from your airline.
Updated October 2026 · HappyFares
If you or a family member depends on a stick or crutches, the questions are practical: can it go on board, will it be counted as baggage, and what happens at security? Here is what is generally true, and what to confirm with the airline.
Can I take a walking stick or crutches on a flight in India?
Yes, in general. A walking stick, cane or pair of crutches that you rely on to move around is a mobility aid, not ordinary luggage, and airlines are expected to treat it that way. The DGCA’s Civil Aviation Requirement on carriage of persons with disability and persons with reduced mobility is the rule that governs this area. The aviation regulator amended it in October 2025, and the PTI news report quotes the DGCA as saying that airlines should allow carriage of assistive devices free of charge on aircraft.
That is a reported summary rather than the regulation’s full text, so the safest step is to read your airline’s own page on passengers with special needs, or call the airline, before you travel.
Does a mobility aid count in my baggage allowance?
The principle behind the DGCA rule is that a device you need for mobility should not cost you extra. How a given airline counts such aids against your allowance is set by that airline, so confirm before you travel. Each airline, including IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express and Akasa Air, publishes its own policy on canes and crutches, so check the “special assistance” or “passengers with special needs” page of your airline.
A few habits help whichever airline you fly:
- Keep the aid with you for as long as possible, including to the aircraft door if the airline allows it.
- Tell the airline at booking if you will need help at the airport, rather than at the check-in counter.
- Carry a lightweight foldable cane in your hand luggage if you can manage without it for short stretches.
What happens at security with a cane or crutches?
Security staff at the airport may inspect the aid. Metal canes and crutches can set off a metal detector, and a hollow stick or a cane with a concealed compartment is likely to get a closer look. Expect to hand it over for an X-ray or a manual check, and if you cannot stand without it, ask the screening staff for help so you are supported while it is examined.
A few cane features can draw extra attention:
- Sharp metal tips or spikes, such as ice tips.
- Removable handles or hidden compartments.
- Heavy decorative heads.
The BCAS list of items prohibited in cabin baggage includes items such as sporting bats and knives, so an ordinary walking aid is a different category, but screeners decide on the spot. Having the aid visible and easy to hand over keeps the process quick. If you use a folding cane, folding it before you reach the belt also saves time, and travelling with a companion who can carry your bags while you are screened makes the whole process less stressful. If you are unsure whether a particular stick is acceptable, ask the airline before the day of travel.
How do I ask for help at the airport?
Assistance is arranged by the airline, not by the website you booked on. Airlines set their own deadlines for requesting assistance, and these differ, so ask as early as you can, ideally when you book. When you request help, mention whether you can climb stairs, walk to the gate or need to be taken to your seat, as this decides what the ground staff plan for you.
The same October 2025 DGCA amendment lets airlines charge a fee for airport wheelchair help to passengers who are not persons with disability or reduced mobility. The fee, if any, has to be shown on the airline’s website. Passengers with disability or reduced mobility are not the ones charged.
Did you know that aircraft aisles are too narrow for a standard wheelchair? Airlines generally use a slimmer on-board chair for passengers who need to be taken to their seat, which is one reason to tell them in advance what help you need.
Common Questions
Will an airline charge for crutches?
The DGCA direction reported in October 2025 says assistive devices should be carried free of charge. Confirm with your airline.
Can I keep my cane with me in the cabin?
Generally yes, if you need it. Tell the cabin crew, and ask where it can be stowed safely during take-off and landing.
Is a foldable cane easier?
Often yes. A folding cane fits in a cabin bag or seat pocket and is quick to show at screening.
Do I need a medical certificate?
Airlines can have their own requirements in some situations, for example if they have concerns about a passenger’s health in flight. Ask your airline what applies to you.
Who arranges assistance on arrival?
Assistance is requested through your airline. Ask for it when you book, or contact the airline afterwards, and confirm what it has arranged.
Can a stick be treated as a weapon?
A stick with hidden blades or similar features can be refused. A normal walking aid is generally accepted, but screening staff make the final call.
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Rules and fees change. Verify current specifics with your airline, the DGCA or the airport before you travel. HappyFares does not arrange wheelchairs or special assistance; request these from your airline.
