Imagine if the only place you can go to the toilet is your own home. Sadly this is the reality for over a quarter of a million disabled people in the UK and millions more worldwide due to a lack of adequate facilities. But, thankfully more public places are understanding the importance of inclusion for all and installing Changing Places toilets. This includes airports and the following list is all the UK airports that have Changing Places toilets installed.
I’ll be updating this list on an ongoing basis as more UK airports install Changing Places facilities. In the meantime, if your airport has a Changing Places toilet and it’s not included in this article, please get in touch with me via email or leave a comment below.
What is a Changing Places Toilet?
Changing Places toilets are larger accessible toilets designed for disabled people whose needs cannot be met by a standard accessible toilet.
They are designed with extra features as well as more space for carers and most importantly equipment (hoist and changing bench) to enable disabled people to use the toilet facilities safely with dignity and comfort.
The Changing Places rooms should be 12 square metres, although rooms that are 10 square metres will be considered where there is no alternative.
What equipment must a Changing Places facility include:
- A height-adjustable adult-sized changing bench
- A tracking hoist system or mobile hoist
- Peninsular toilet with at least one metre of clear space on each side
- Washbasin (a height adjustable model is recommended)
- Privacy screen
- Grab rails (wall-mounted and drop-down)
- Wide paper roll close to the changing bench
- A large waste disposal bin
- Emergency alarm
- Backrest on the toilet seat
Airports in Scotland with Changing Places Toilets
1. Aberdeen International Airport
Aberdeen International Airport has a Changing Places facility located in the Departure Lounge on the ground floor. Passengers can only use this once they have passed the Security Check area.
The facility is available for independent use without a need to collect a key from staff, although the Terminal Safety Officer can be contacted at 01224 348508 in the event of any issues. An alarm system is also installed and when activated will alert the Control Centre.
Opening Hours: The Changing Places is open for use when flights are operating between the hours of 04:00 – 23:00.
2. Edinburgh Airport
Edinburgh Airport is my home airport and I’m delighted it’s one of the airports in Scotland to install a Changing Places toilet.
The 12 square metres accessible toilet and changing facility is located airside next to gate 10. It can only be accessed with a code entered into an entry pad which will be given when you press the call button.
Opening Hours: The Changing Places at Edinburgh Airport is open for use 24/7.
3. Glasgow Airport
The main terminal building of Glasgow Airport has a Changing Places toilet. It is located in the check-in area on the ground floor next to the WHSmith shop.
This Changing Places facility is locked and can only be accessed by a RADAR key. The Special Assistance help desk in the check-in area has a RADAR key you can use if you don’t have your own.
Opening Hours: The Changing Places at Glasgow Airport is open for use 24/7.
4. Inverness Airport
Inverness Airport’s Changing Places toilet has been installed in the main Terminal Building Concourse next to the Domestic Arrivals Carousel.
To access the 17 square metre Changing Places facility you must collect a key from the Information Desk. Alternatively, the staff may escort you to the facility and unlock it for you.
Opening Hours: The Changing Places at Inverness Airport is open for use between 05:00 to 22:00.
5. Sumburgh Airport
Despite being a small island with a population of about 100 people, Sumburgh understands the importance of Changing Places and has one installed in its airport.
The Changing Places at Sumburgh Airport is located in the main concourse of the airport. This facility has a mobile hoist instead of a ceiling hoist.
Opening Hours: The Changing Places at Sumburgh Airport is open for use between 07:30 – 19:45 Monday to Friday. 07:30 – 16:15 Saturday and 11:30 – 19:45 Sunday.
Airports in England with Changing Places Toilets
6. Birmingham Airport
Birmingham Airport has a Changing Places facility in the Main Departure lounge. The 7 square metre room is smaller than most Changing Places but still provides adequate space.
It is located behind the WHSmith bookstore and can only be accessed with an entry code. The code is ‘2345’ but it can also be obtained from the Assisted Travel reception desk or by using the courtesy phone at the facility.
Opening Hours: The Changing Places at Birmingham Airport is open for use 24/7.
7. Bristol Airport
A Changing Places facility was installed at Bristol Airport in 2017. It is located opposite the special assistance help desk in the arrivals concourse on the ground floor.
Disabled passengers wishing to use this facility need to obtain a pin code from the Airport Control Centre (call 01275 473402) or speak to a member of staff from the Special Assistance desk.
Opening Hours: The Changing Places at Bristol Airport is open for use 24/7.
8. East Midlands Airport
Disabled passengers travelling through East Midlands Airport can find a Changing Places toilet in the Departure Lounge on the first floor alongside a suite of toilets.
The facility is accessible via the use of a RADAR key. Alternatively, call the number on the door of the Changing Places facility and speak to the airport staff who will be able to help.
Opening Hours: The Changing Places at East Midlands Airport is open for use 24/7.
9. Gatwick Airport
Gatwick Airport has two Changing Places facilities. One is located in the North Terminal and the other is in the South Terminal. They can only be accessed by arriving passengers.
However, there is a small Changing Place with an adjustable bed and wash basin in the South Terminal departure lounge (upper level). Passengers departing from North Terminal are advised to go to the Special assistance desk and someone will escort them to the Changing Places toilet on the arrivals route.
A RADAR key is required to unlock and use the Changing Places, but it is advised to contact a member of the PRM (Persons with Reduced Mobility) team if you don’t have a key.
Opening Hours: The Changing Places at Gatwick Airport is open for use 24/7.
10. Heathrow Airport
Another airport with more than one Changing Places facility is Heathrow Airport. There are four facilities in total with one located in terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5. The exact locations are as follows:
- Terminal 2: At arrivals, opposite Gate 18
- Terminal 3: At departures, opposite Gate 7 (opening hours: 05:00 to 22:00)
- Terminal 4: At arrivals – opposite the escalators for the London Underground (opening hours: 05:00 to 22:00)
- Terminal 5: At departures – within the Special Assistance Lounge – Lichfield Suite, opposite Gate 20 (opening hours: 05:00 to 22:00)
11. Leeds Bradford Airport
The Leeds Bradford Airport has one Changing Places toilet which can be found in the departure lounge on the first floor.
This Changing Places facility is locked and can only be accessed by using the assistance phone located outside the room and speaking with the customer services team
Opening Hours: The Changing Places at Leeds Bradford Airport are unknown.
12. Liverpool John Lennon Airport
There is a Changing Places toilet at arrivals carousel 4 in Liverpool John Lennon Airport.
Both departing and arriving passengers can request access to the facility by speaking to someone at the Assistance Desk who will then provide assistance to the Changing Places room.
Alternatively, arriving passengers can access the room independently if they are already in the Baggage reclaim area.
Opening Hours: The Changing Places at Liverpool John Lennon is open for use 24/7.
13. Luton Airport
Disabled passengers travelling through Luton Airport can find the Changing Places toilet in the departure lounge. It is next to Gate 17 and is located within the “quiet space” seating area.
Opening Hours: The Changing Places at Luton Airport is open for use 24/7.
14. Manchester Airport
A Changing Places facility can be found in each terminal at Manchester Airport within their departure lounges.
The exact locations are as follows:
- Terminal 1: in the corridor alongside the Premium Lounges.
- Terminal 2: at departures – opposite Gate 208
- Terminal 3: at departures – opposite Gate 52
15. Newcastle International Airport
Newcastle International Airport has a Changing Places facility located in the check-in area before going through security.
A RADAR key is required to unlock the Changing Places, but it is advised to contact a member of staff if you don’t have a key.
Opening Hours: The Changing Places at Newcastle International Airport is open for use 24/7.
16. Stansted Airport
Stansted Airport has two Changing Places facilities. One is located land-side in arrivals (behind Burger King) and one is located airside in the Departure Lounge.
Both of these facilities are accessible via the use of a RADAR key. However, staff are available to help if disabled passengers don’t have a RADAR key.
Opening Hours: The Changing Places toilets at Stansted Airport are open for use 24/7.
17. Teeside International Airport
Teeside International Airport has a Changing Places facility installed in the main Terminal next to the check-in area.
Unlike most Changing Places, this one has a mobile hoist instead of a ceiling hoist. The actual room size is larger than most Changing Places facilities though.
A key to unlock the toilet can be collected from the Information Desk which is near the toilet itself.
Opening Hours: The Changing Places at Teeside International Airport is open for use between 05:00 to 22:00.
Airports in Wales with Changing Places Toilets
18. Cardiff Airport
A Changing Places toilet is located in the departures lounge of Cardiff Airport. This is in the main terminal building on level 1 via three different lifts.
Opening Hours: The Changing Places toilets at Cardiff Airport are open for use 24/7.
Airports in Ireland with Changing Places Toilets
19. Belfast International Airport
Belfast International Airport installed a Changing Places toilet during a recent refurbishment of the toilet facilities. It is located in the main departure lounge next to Gate 18.
20. George Best Belfast City Airport
The first airport in the UK to install a Changing Places toilet was George Best Belfast City Airport in 2010. It is located in the check-in area on the ground floor.
The facility is locked and to gain access you can speak to a member of staff who will be able to help.
Opening Hours: The Changing Places at George Best Belfast City Airport is open for use between 04:30 – 21:30
Please leave a comment below and let me know if your airport has a Changing Places toilet. Is there an airport you’d like to see install a Changing Places?
For more information on the Changing Places Campaign in the UK and where to find Changing Places toilets, check out www.changing-places.org.
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