As ever, any traveler who wants to have an enjoyable trip must prepare well in advance. It is much more important to plan ahead if you use an electric wheelchair. This not only improves the journey, but also makes it feasible. Luckily, a lot of adventurous people have come before us to pave the way for safe air travel and we have benefitted from their experiences and knocked up an updated guide to help you on your way. These ten best practices will help you and your vehicle arrive safely.
When you first start looking around for a ticket, find out as much as you can from potential airlines. Even though there are international and national restrictions, the permissible items on board differ greatly between countries and airlines. Airlines frequently offer helpful advice on how to get ready for the trip and verify that you may bring your electric wheelchair on the plane for the chosen destination.
Despite the best of efforts, electric wheelchairs cannot fit on board every commercial aeroplane due to size restrictions. Additionally, airlines have the final say on whether a passenger is medically fit to fly, and they may ask you to have additional paperwork ready or a pre-departure health examination.
Examine the travel advice provided by the maker of your mobility equipment. Even if you are a seasoned traveller, there may be significant differences in the safe travel criteria for various equipment models.
Research travel guides from reputable companies to get ready for your trip. Travellers in the UK can obtain guides from the Queen Elizabeth Foundation, the International Air Transport Authority (IATA), and the Civil Aviation Authority. You can obtain further UK-specific guidelines from the Department for Transport.
In addition, the Federal Aviation Authority and the veteran's organisation PVA should be reviewed if you are visiting the US. This article has a number of materials from both organisations. Reading a first-hand blog or talking about your journey with other wheelchair-using travelers can also offer valuable information. When examining the suggestions, be sure to take into account how your particular circumstance is similar to or different from others.
Electric wheelchair travel insurance
Before you travel, think about purchasing extra wheelchair insurance after you've booked your ticket. Airline reimbursement limitations mean that the sum may not always cover the entire cost of your chair, even though they are responsible for damage sustained during transit. This might be offered as a custom insurance plan or as an add-on to existing home contents or travel insurance. If you are looking for insurance for your powerchair or electric wheelchair then you can look here.
Get your wheelchair ready for travel at home. An empty kit bag is often allowed inside the cabin of a plane for no additional fee if it is used to store detachable equipment like headrests, armrests, and leg rests. Asking this question is undoubtedly a good idea before giving your money to any airline! Think about how you can cushion parts of the wheelchair's structure that could damage it, pack a small toolkit (see airline carry-on guidelines for limits), and take other precautions to keep your chair safe. Remember that as it is being loaded and unloaded, it can be exposed to the elements.
As soon as you purchase your ticket, make a special help request and give the airline all the necessary details. This is typically in the same section where you enter other information, including passport data, for many airlines. Arrive early at the airport. British Airways suggests allowing three hours for lengthy flights and two hours for shorter ones. As soon as you can, get to the gate so that you may get settled in, talk to the airline staff about any needs you may have, and introduce yourself.
Take a look at our range of electric wheelchairs including ones that are fully approved for international air travel.
Give yourself some extra time
For long-haul flights, several airlines advise arriving at the gate up to an hour early. As soon as you arrive, get in touch with airport help services to talk about your needs, the timeframe, and what will happen next. You can usually remain on your chair until boarding. Take use of this opportunity to snap pictures of your chair at the airport so you can document its state as you are ready to leave.
When travelling, ensure sure the personnel can easily access information regarding your wheelchair and batteries. It is best to keep an owner's handbook with battery information on hand. Stickers with high visibility that advise staff to lift chairs by the frame rather than the armrests or wheels may help prevent damage.
Think about attaching a sturdy tag with the necessary information on your wheelchair. Some travellers even use smart tracking tags (check airline limitations) or attach a second tag in the language of their destination. Examine your wheelchair's condition as soon as you arrive. If damage is found, document it with a photo or record and submit a claim right away.
Every year, thousands of people who use wheelchairs travel safely. For the greatest travel experience possible, check for routine maintenance items as soon as you can to tighten, inflate, lubricate and generally take care of.
Lastly, good luck and we hope your travels are successful and stress free !