On a recent trip passing through Munich, I asked for assistance, because I had a bad case of sciatica.

In both directions I got zero assistance. On my way to the US, I nearly missed my connection. After waiting five minutes for an assistant to show up, I gave up and limped to the gate, getting there just as they were about to close.

On the way back, while hobbling through the terminal, I flagged down someone driving one of those motorized cars and asked for help. She told me to wait there and she would come back after she delivered her passenger, which she did.

As she conveyed me to the gate, she asked whether I had replied that I could walk short distances when requesting assistance. I had indeed confirmed this. She said they were very short-handed at Munich airport and almost never came to assist passengers who were able to walk even a little.

Now I have a friend coming to visit me from the US. She is elderly and not very mobile. I would advise her to arrive at the airport near my home in Italy, but she would have to make a connection in Munich. The other possibility would be to fly into Rome and take two trains to a train station near my home. This is a rather arduous journey for someone who has never flown to Europe, especially after an overnight flight.

Does anyone have recent information about assistance in Munich for people with limited mobility? On my last trip, I didn't need assistance, so it's been about two years since that unfortunate experience.

When/how did you request assistance?

This trip was in July 2023. I requested assistance at the time I reserved the flight, with Lufthansa. I had a connection in Newark EWR and received assistance there in both directions, but none at Munich.

I didn't request assistance in my departure airport, AOI, which is a very small airport, which I knew I could navigate, nor in my arrival airport, IND, which is also pretty small, and where I was being met by family.

As I said above, on the way back, I flagged down an assistant who helped me for part of the transfer. She told me that mistake was answering "yes" to the question, "Can you walk short distances?" She said that due to a shortage of personnel, you won't get assistance in Munich unless you have a more serious disability.

If that is still the case, I can't recommend that my friend fly into AOI, the airport near my home, because she would have to pass through Munich. Her trip will much longer if she has to fly into Rome.

A little searching on the internet reveals that this is an ongoing problem in Munich.

One would think that they could at least warn you that you will probably be on your own in Munich at the time you request assistance.

Here is a TripAdvisor topic reporting multiple issues with Munich airport assistance a year after my experience.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopi...a_Bavaria.html

>> mistake was answering "yes" to the question, "Can you walk short distances?"

After reading the TA thread I would have no confidence that answering "no" would yield a different result

Which airlines are flying from Ancona? There are 7 airlines with flights from Ancona: Air Dolomiti, Lufthansa, Ryanair, Ryanair UK, Sky Alps, Volotea, and Wizz Air Malta.

good luck

I don't know why Lufthansa is crossed out. I use Lufthansa. They have a connection (formerly Air Dolomiti) from Munich to AOI (Ancona), a small airport near our home in Le Marche, Italy. They're our best connection to the greater world. Our other alternatives for overseas connections involve long train rides from Rome or Milan, or overnight stays en route, or both.

Munich is an excellent airport, well organised and not too large. However, for someone elderly or with mobility issues, I hesitate to recommend it unless I can be assured that they provide reliable assistance to those who need it.

On my most recent trip my husband and I needed no assistance. I don't ask for it unless I need it, but at our age it's always a possibility. My friend who will be visiting really should have assistance.

>> I don't know why Lufthansa is crossed out.

I scratched the 2 airlines as they would not be good for your friend due to MUC. You got the recent info you were looking for at TA. That was enough for me to look at alternatives. But you know the alternatives better than me.

We had the exact same experience, a harrowing one, in Munich airport last September.
It was awful with a capital A.
My partner cannot walk far and we waited so long, shuttled between various counters, and finally began limping toward the gate. AT one point he just could not go on any longer. I ran around and finally corralled some person with an electric cart vehicle who, after a long wait, took him to the gate. We almost missed out flight on Lufthansa.
And I had arranged assistance when I booked the tickets......

Munich airport was in absolute turmoil that day, with long lines even at first class....our flight attendant told us she had never seen anything like it.

This is the line for first class check in on Lufthansa; we were not in first class but at next counter

"Fast" line to security area....imagine my partner standing here when he could barely walk; this, after requesting assistance at time of ticket purchase.

This is outrageous. It's also a violation of EU norms for persons with reduced mobility (PRMs):

1. Regulation (EC) No 1107/2006 on Air Travel This regulation outlines the rights of PRMs in air transport within the EU. Its provisions include: Non-discrimination: Airlines, airports, and tour operators cannot refuse to accept a booking or carry a passenger based on reduced mobility, except for safety reasons. Free Assistance: Airports are required to provide free assistance to PRMs, including help with boarding, disembarking, and moving through the airport. Notification Requirements: Passengers with reduced mobility should notify airlines about their needs at least 48 hours before departure to ensure appropriate arrangements can be made. Compensation for Damage: Airlines are liable for loss or damage to mobility equipment during travel.

​​​​​​My friend has decided to come to visit me via Munich. I certainly hope she gets some assistance. Fortunately she has a fairly long layover.

I'm going to find out where I can lodge a complaint with the EU if she doesn't.