I’m Tabassum – I’ve flown all over the world, and it just so happens that I travel in a wheelchair. Air travel can be uncomfortable for many people—with or without a wheelchair, but maybe my tips can help!
In this blog, I provide tips and tricks to feel comfortable and confident while travelling in a wheelchair by air. Read on!
1. Have an air travel routine
I like to arrive at the airport 3 hours before an international departure. I prefer to check in with an agent instead using self-check-in, because I might miss something. This way, I can let the airline know my boarding needs, have them check my wheelchair, prepare an aisle chair, and make arrangements to have a wheelchair at my transfer gate or destination.
Using the aisle chair
The aisle in an airplane is too narrow for your regular-sized wheelchair, so you’ll have to check it as special luggage. So, you’ll have use an aisle chair provided by the air carrier to board the plane and use the bathroom. Make sure you ask for assistance when transferring from your in-flight seat to the aisle chair. Additionally, if you’re travelling with a friend or family member with a disability, familiarize yourself with the aisle chair’s location during the flight.
2. Baggage checking your wheelchair
Air carriers should ensure your own wheelchair is waiting for you at the gate upon arrival. Please don’t make the same mistake I did; make sure you’ve properly checked in your wheelchair and received a special item luggage tag. You don’t want to arrive at your destination to find your chair isn’t waiting for you! It happened to me when I flew to Pakistan; I arrived in Karachi, but my wheelchair was in Montreal! Thankfully, the Red Cross rented me a wheelchair, and my own chair arrived the next day.
3. Navigating Long haul flights
When I flew from Vancouver to Pakistan, it’s over 15 hours in the air, not including the layovers in London or Hong Kong. For long-haul flights, this well-known tip applies to passengers in wheelchairs too: drink lots of water and avoid alcohol! More specifically though, ask for a bulkhead seat: it’s the row of seats directly after the partition. The bulkhead offers more “leg room” or, in my case, more space to maneuver the aisle chair. It’s not possible for people with disabilities to sit in the emergency exits. Be sure to keep this in mind if you’re booking on behalf of a travelling companion in a wheelchair.
4. Know your Rights
Every traveller should know their rights, but especially people with disabilities. International Air Transport Association and the Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights are both excellent resources for all passengers. The Canadian Air Passenger RIghts website is also helpful.
In general, here are the rules that airlines should follow to serve passengers with reduced mobility:
- Assist in interline journeys and airport transfers
- Communicate passengers’ special needs and services provided on the ground and in flight between air carriers
- Provide special equipment when necessary
- Offer priority boarding and individual briefings on safety procedures, aircraft layouts and specialized equipment
Depending on where you’re travelling, you may also want to compare your passenger rights in Canada versus the USA or Europe, for example.
In general, my rule of thumb for accessible air travel is:
- Ask for assistance
- Know your rights
- Be firm, be kind
If you are looking for some more tips on accessible travel, check out this blog where I give you tips to planning the wheelchair accessible trips with ease.
Take care, and keep travelling!
Safe travels,
Tabassum
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in August 2013 and has been updated for freshness and/or accuracy.
