Written by Jackie Kay – a wheelchair user and experienced and frequent international traveller.
AIRPORT CHECK-IN
MANUAL WHEELCHAIR
At Check-In negotiate with staff that you remain in your own manual wheelchair until reaching the Departure Gate for boarding. This will enable you to be as independent as possible negotiating through the airport, going to the toilet etc. Once at the Gate, then transfer into an airport aisle chair.
POWER WHEELCHAIR
The rules on power wheelchairs vary widely depending on country, airline and even aircraft type within the same airline or country.
In some cases and in countries such as the United States, Australia and much of Europe you will be permitted to stay in your chair to the aircraft gate, in other instances your power chair will need to be left at Check-In to be loaded onto the plane (see below WARNINGS). You will transfer to an airport manual chair. Even where you permitted to retain your chair to the gate, if your chair is highly valuable and delicate you may choose to check it and have it professionally wrapped for protection. Size of wheelchair is also important and restrictions apply depending on aircraft type.
You will be taken to your seat on the plane in a special narrow aisle chair. There, you can sit on your cushion in the airline seat, or a thin silicon or foam pad may help, or just sit in the plane seat, but beware plane seats are hard.
If necessary take an overnight bag that your attendant/carer can connect to your leg bag to transfer contents to toilet if you fill your leg bag. If you take a brief case you may find it useful to prop your feet on it as a posture change. Try to get a “bulkhead seat” as there is more leg room.
Don’t plan to need to have a bowel movement. Don’t eat gassy foods before or drink fizzy drinks on the plane. Water is best and beware of dehydration, so drink lots. Avoid alcohol as it can dehydrate you more – and you’ll not be treated well if drunk.
You’ll get standard treatment by flight attendants of food and drink. Use pillows under your arms to assist sleeping while sitting up. If you are in Business or First class you can sleep really easily and lay right back. In Economy you can’t recline much and the seats are narrow.
Remember that just because you are disabled, you don’t have special seating privileges. If you are considerate and polite to staff at check-in and boarding, you’ll be treated better. Upgrades are only ever a bonus NOT an expectation – equality goes both ways. If you need to travel in business with better reclining seats, you’ll have to pay the fare. Otherwise expect to sit in economy class with everyone else.
BOARDING
Your attendant/carer will need to help you change positions, prop pillows under necks etc, cut up your food. But airline staff should be the ones getting you on and off the plane with an aisle chair – DON’T ALLOW THEM TO CARRY YOU MORE THAN TWO ROWS. You could easily be hurt. International carriers have a code of conduct regarding disabled passengers that excludes carrying them more than transfer distance unless it is passenger request and only then if the passenger is extremely light (child). This is an important OH&S safety measure for both you and airline staff. Most international planes will have on-board aisle chairs and all airports should have suitable chairs as well. Request the chair at booking time, not just as you are about to board – be considerate of staff.
There should be disabled toilets in Departure area, so make sure you empty your bag before you go on board. Start the flight on empty. It also makes transfers easier.
Organise to hire a commode chair at your destination if you can. Airlines carry wheelchairs and assistive aids free (within reason) so you could bring an electric and a manual chair for free, as well as medical equipment like a commode chair. The problem is transport at both ends becomes complex with the more you carry.
Pack as few clothes and non-essentials as possible, avoid aerosols and ANY metal sharp things in hand luggage – they will be confiscated. Buy heavy things like shampoo/conditioner when you get where you’re going, just take bottles to get you through the first few days. Every bit of weight and bulk saved makes travel easier. Remember, your carer or airline staff should not be considered pack-mules for all the carry on stuff like cushions, slide boards, luggage – be considerate. A backpack slung on the back of your chair helps you carry some of your carry on luggage.
WARNINGS
Get to the airport extra early so everything can be arranged and better seat allocations made. Allow an extra hour for an electric chair and YOU disconnect the electrics – don’t leave it up to airline staff they can badly damage the chair. Some people even carry the chair joystick as carry on or in their luggage as that is the most easily damaged part. Batteries should be sealed otherwise they must be taken out of the chair and transported separately in special containers.
Note: In most cases batteries must be on the airlines approved list of certified batteries. On multi-leg flights with a change of carrier, that is the operator of the aircraft not the airline that ticketed the flight, batteries must be approved by ALL airlines in the flight sequence.
Carry all essentials with you like tablets, overnight drainage equipment, etc in your carry-on luggage in case your bags get lost. These are very difficult items to replace in a foreign land. Keep tablets in their original bottles with script. Carry photocopies of your passport in your case and one in your handbag in case of loss. If you have a severe disability, get a certificate from your doctor stating you are safe to fly. It may be a nuisance, but it is better than being denied boarding.
Beware of flat wheelchair tyres when you land – the plane’s cargo area can explode over inflated tyres and most tyres lose a little air due to the low pressure in the hold.
DVD (deep vein thrombosis)
If, you buy a pair of support stockings from a chemist, get the short ones that only go up to under your knees and with the toes cut out. The people in the shop will measure your ankles and calves to get the right size.
Unless recommended by your dr., there is no need for the full length ones with the toes in. These ones are quite uncomfortable as they squish your toes and can leave pressure marks on top of your toes.
As much as possible, change posture and stretch your legs by having your legs raised one at a time and shifting onto a bit on each side to take weight off your sacrum. Stretch your back by leaning forward on your knees and if you break wind apologize!
Try to elevate your legs as much as possible but don’t take off your shoes as they increase foot stability and you may not be able to get them back on after the flight – feet swell at the lower pressure in a plane a lot.
Don’t fly too many long hops without a break for your bum and your brain. Be realistic regarding your fitness and ability to stay awake too long. The stop may cost, but not as much as arriving and getting sick because you pushed yourself too much.
ONCE YOU HAVE LANDED
As a safety back-up, pack a couple of portable grab rails and a rubber mat with suction backing. Sometimes these items will enable you to safely utilise a non-accessible bathroom.
FINALLY
Remember to relax and enjoy yourself and plan for a good sleep before you leave and when you arrive. Fatigue can really stuff up a holiday so have sensible timelines for partying. Don’t expect to sleep a lot on the plane as they are noisy and uncomfortable for a long trip.
Don’t be put off by all these warnings of doom as you’ll be fine if you know your limitations and don’t consider yourself able to do anything. Arriving fit only allows you to enjoy the trip and the destination and we want you to be able to do that.
Planning is the key to a hassle free trip
As with any part of travelling the planning is the key. Making sure there is enough time between connecting flights, wheelchairs are available for transit stops, international transfer assistance has been arranged and airport transfers are both suitable and on time are all critical parts of the process.
We are experienced in all aspects of planning travel for travellers with a disability including the intricacies of multi-leg international flights.
Next time you are planning a holiday or if you have putting off a trip because it involves flying let us take the hassle away.
