Tips on Making Air Travel for People in a Wheelchair Easier

While everyone considers air-travel a pleasant experience, people with mobility issues/limitations may not find it that easy and comfortable. While mobility aids can help to an extent, carrying them along with luggage, everything right from checking in to the airport to boarding a flight, some things still seem a bit tricky for them. A wheelchair is one such mobility aid that helps you with motion but may seem tricky to carry along.

Nevertheless, just like pre-planning can help overcome any challenge, planning ahead of your air journey can make your air-travel a comfortable experience.

So, let's share a few tips that can help make your air-travel with a wheelchair hassle-free.

• Arrive well in advance

As per the general norm, flight companies expect passengers to arrive at the airport about two hours ahead of a domestic flight and three hours ahead of an international flight.

However, for people with limited mobility or people who need wheelchairs to move, arriving even earlier would be a better idea as metal chairs may take more time than usual at security checkpoints. Moreover, if you carry your medical supplies or medicines in one or two bags, checking them may end up consuming time further. This is because you may need to present your medical history, medical prescriptions, and documents for corroboration.

• Inform the airline well in advance about any help you may need

Different airports and airlines have different facilities for people with mobility restrictions. Check with your airline and find out if they can provide a special facility you need like a toilet seat at least 48 hours ahead of the departure.

• Gather information about wheelchair resources/shops in your destination

Before your air journey, gathering information about mobility aids shops in your destination city/country is crucial. Let your local retailer know about your travel destination as they can guide you the best in this regard. This information is essential to have a backup in case of accidental damage or loss of your wheelchair during or after the journey.

• Board the flight with wheelchair cushions and side guards

Before the flight crew takes away your wheelchair for storage, remember to take off your wheelchair cushions from the seat. This is because it can prevent any possible wear or tear to the cushion in the cargo hold.

Further, you can sit on it during a long journey for better positioning and increased comfort. A wheelchair cushion is recommendable even more if you are at risk of developing pressure sores.

If your chair has side guards as well, removing them would be a better idea as they may also not get stuck up or damaged in the cargo hold.

• Cross-verify the information on your wheelchair tag

As the airport authorities tag your wheelchair, make sure that the information on that tag matches that on your air ticket. This is important to avoid any possible confusion and possibility of your wheelchair landing up in a city different from your destination city.

• Label your wheelchair

Despite chances of detaching/separation of tags from your wheelchair being rare, you should always keep a backup plan. Find a secure place on your wheelchair (most suitably under the seat) where the possibility of tearing away of a label is minimal. Paste another sticker, tag, or a piece of tap with your name and phone number written. If possible, attach one more easily removable tag with your arrival destination on it.

• Check for the option of pre-boarding

Nowadays, several airlines offer the pre-boarding option for those with mobility limitations so as to allow them more time to find their seat and settle themselves comfortably in advance. Requesting for pre-boarding won't harm as it will save you from rush boarding and give your caretaker more time to get you settled.

Give extra information in case you have a powered wheelchair

If you have a powered wheelchair, attach an additional note to help the crew know how to park and store it while loading and unloading it from the hold.

In a Nutshell

Mobility aids despite being highly useful for people with mobility limitations may sometimes seem tricky to travel with. By following the above-mentioned tips, you can make your air-travel in a wheelchair much easier and hassle-free.

Derry has been working in the mobility aids industry since 2003, acquiring a wealth of knowledge along the way. Before Essential Aids, Derry's background was in engineering. In his spare time he is a devotee of yoga and rare reggae vinyl.