Wheelchair Flight - Guide to Traveling by Air For People in Wheelchairs
Taking a flight with a wheelchair is possible on all the major airlines so you can book your trip online.
This allows you to get the best rate possible.
There is a section during checkout to enter special assistance needed.
Make sure you let them know you are in a wheelchair when booking the flight.
It is good to follow up with a phone call, but the airline generally calls you anyway.
You can then ask any questions about the boarding procedure for wheelchair flight.
When you are choosing an airline for wheelchair flight, look at the seating available.
The flight is much easier if you are near the front of the plane so you do not have to go so far down the aisle.
First Class is more comfortable than coach, especially for wheelchair flight, but at about $1500 per round trip in the United States, not much of a value.
You can often get a great deal on First Class flight by buying a coach ticket and checking in early.
If there are unsold First Class tickets, you may be offered an upgrade for a small additional fee.
If you plan your flight with one companion, look at American Airlines.
They fly M80 planes which have two seats on one side of the aisle and three on the other.
This allows you to sit alone with your companion and not have the bother of squeezing into seats with someone else.
When boarding your wheelchair flight, airline personnel will assist you to your seat using an aisle chair.
It is specially made to fit down the narrow aisles.
There is generally room to store one collapsible wheelchair in a closet, but otherwise it will be checked and made available to you when you arrive at your destination.
Electric wheelchairs are checked with baggage and must have non-spill batteries.
Otherwise they cannot be on the plane at all.
There are other things to consider about your wheelchair flight.
You are first to board when leaving and last to get off at your destination.
There may be no assistance available during flight unless you are on a wide body jet.
Make sure you use the restroom in the terminal before boarding to make your wheelchair flight more comfortable.
Taking your first airline trip is an adventure.
It is the quickest way to travel long distances.
Planning ahead can make your wheelchair flight enjoyable.
This allows you to get the best rate possible.
There is a section during checkout to enter special assistance needed.
Make sure you let them know you are in a wheelchair when booking the flight.
It is good to follow up with a phone call, but the airline generally calls you anyway.
You can then ask any questions about the boarding procedure for wheelchair flight.
When you are choosing an airline for wheelchair flight, look at the seating available.
The flight is much easier if you are near the front of the plane so you do not have to go so far down the aisle.
First Class is more comfortable than coach, especially for wheelchair flight, but at about $1500 per round trip in the United States, not much of a value.
You can often get a great deal on First Class flight by buying a coach ticket and checking in early.
If there are unsold First Class tickets, you may be offered an upgrade for a small additional fee.
If you plan your flight with one companion, look at American Airlines.
They fly M80 planes which have two seats on one side of the aisle and three on the other.
This allows you to sit alone with your companion and not have the bother of squeezing into seats with someone else.
When boarding your wheelchair flight, airline personnel will assist you to your seat using an aisle chair.
It is specially made to fit down the narrow aisles.
There is generally room to store one collapsible wheelchair in a closet, but otherwise it will be checked and made available to you when you arrive at your destination.
Electric wheelchairs are checked with baggage and must have non-spill batteries.
Otherwise they cannot be on the plane at all.
There are other things to consider about your wheelchair flight.
You are first to board when leaving and last to get off at your destination.
There may be no assistance available during flight unless you are on a wide body jet.
Make sure you use the restroom in the terminal before boarding to make your wheelchair flight more comfortable.
Taking your first airline trip is an adventure.
It is the quickest way to travel long distances.
Planning ahead can make your wheelchair flight enjoyable.