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HOW TO TRAVEL BY AIR
WITH A WHEELCHAIR
HOW TO TRAVEL BY AIR WITH
A WHEELCHAIR
Normally you can use your own wheelchair as far as the
boarding point of the aircraft, where you will transfer
to a special aisle chair. If you are able to walk a
short distance, you should request a seat near the
entrance doors. Your wheelchair will then be stored
conveniently for immediate availability on arrival. The
airline will probably want to pre-board you, so be early
at the airport. You, however, have the choice not to
pre-board.
Wheelchairs fall into three classes:
) normal hand-propelled chairs;
) electric wheelchairs, including scooters, with wet
acid batteries;
) electric wheelchairs, including scooters, with dry
cell or sealed gel batteries.
Those who have Type 2 wheelchairs should check with the
airline, as a leaking battery in-flight can be
dangerous. It will be necessary for baggage handlers to
remove the battery and place it in a special container.
This requires the passenger to be at the airport at
least 3 hours before departure.
Most modern power-operated wheelchairs have some form of
safety battery so that they can be carried without risk
of damage to the aircraft. However, it will be necessary
for baggage handlers to disconnect the leads from the
terminal and to cap them to avoid shorting. This may
take some time, so you will have to pre-board. It may be
necessary to transfer you to a special aisle wheelchair
in the air terminal, and there may equally be a delay on
arrival before your chair is available.
The airlines are responsible for ensuring that your
battery is reconnected and that your chair is working on
arrival at your destination. Electric scooters can also
be transported without problems; their battery
requirements are the same as for wheelchairs.
As a precaution against loss or damage, always remove
all detachable parts before your wheelchair is stored,
and label the chair with your name and address and
destination airport.
So long as your condition is stable, you are entitled to
the protection of the Air Carriers Access Act of 1986,
and the airline cannot make limiting regulations.
In the event of a problem with airport or in-flight
personnel, you should require them to contact the
Complaints Resolution Officer (CRO), who must always be
available and willing to deal with your grievance. They
cannot refuse. However, to avoid problems, make sure
that you let the airline know your needs as early as
possible. Also, make sure you have adequate insurance to
cover damage to or loss of your wheelchair or scooter as
well as personal injury.
Additional Resources
The following publications are available free from the
Federal Government.
Access Travel:
Airports (#580Y) provides details on handicapped
facilities and services at 533 airports worldwide. New
Horizons for the Air Traveler with a Disability, a
33-page booklet from the Department of Transportation,
explains the Air Carriers Access Act regulations that
came into effect in March, 1990, as well as the changes
resulting from the Americans With Disabilities Act
(ADA). Topics include accessibility of airports and
aircraft; requirements for advance notice, attendants
and medical certificates; handling of mobility aids and
assistive devices; and much more, including how to file
a complaint.
Federal publications are listed in the Consumer
Information Catalog and can be ordered from S. James,
Consumer Information Center - 2D, P.O. Box 100 Pueblo,
CO 81002. A $1.00 service fee is charged, for which one
can order up to 25 free booklets
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