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Home Our Message Preparation Advanced Planning The Day of Flying About the Aircraft Medical Certificates Oxygen Protecting your wheelchair Travel Insurance Working with the Airline Part 1 Part 2 At the Airport Accessibility at the Airport At the Airport Security Screenings Onboard the plane Boarding the Aircraft Medical Assistance Flying with a wheelchair Flying with guide dogs Know your rights Discrimination Knowing Your Rights Making a Complaint Post 9/11 Other Resources Disability Links General Travel Links Gatwick Parking Overseas Property Check out our new site: Overseas Property Disclaimer Contact us |
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Flying With Disability
| Working together with the airline - Part 1 | |
| It is always a good idea to let the airline know in advance that you intend to fly. Even if this is not strictly necessary, by just making sure that they are equipped to accommodate your needs on the day can make a major difference to the ease and safety of your trip. 48hrs notice would tend to be the minimum limit. Likewise, it is always a good idea to arrive with plenty of time prior to flying. Arrange to arrive at least an hour prior to the usual check in time to accommodate a longer check-in, especially if you are travelling with a wheelchair. Advance notice should always be given if you need the provision of an on-board wheelchair, or if the battery for your chair is classified as a hazardous material. Carriers are not required to provide certain services, and it is important to not assume that the airline you are flying with will provide certain services. To avoid any problems on the day of flying, it is a good idea to provide at least 48hrs advance warning, if you require the use of medical oxygen, a supply of electricity for a respirator or any accommodations for travel on a stretcher. Often airlines charge an additional fee for such services. Any additional charges incurred should be reasonable and imposed on a non-discriminatory basis. If the airline does not receive advance notice, then it is not bound to providing these types of services to the disabled traveller. In short, please do not assume that all your needs can be met there and then on the day of flying. Always plan ahead. There will inevitably be instances, where, due to unforeseen circumstances, an airline will not be able to accommodate those features of accessibility requested. Generally, this tends to be the case when for safety reasons the original aircraft may have to be substituted at the last minute. All aircrafts built today must provide accessible lavatories in wide-body aircrafts, and similarly be incorporated into the refurbishment of all existing wide-body aircrafts. Click here for part 2 of Working with the Airlines |