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Flying with a disability: A guide to help you plan your flight to and from the UK

Flying with a disability: A guide to help you plan your flight to and from the UK

This article was developed in partnership with QEF Tryb4uFly.

Flying is an essential and desirable form of transport for millions of UK citizens each year, whether for business, pleasure, family, or health reasons.

Am I fit to fly?

Speak to your GP or consultant in the first instance. Airlines want to ensure that your condition is stable and may ask you a set of questions when you book.

You can view specific flying advice related to your disability, for example at the Stroke Association or the British Heart Foundation. The UK Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA) features advice for disabled passengers before planning their journey.

Where do you want to fly to?

That is up to you! Bear in mind that each country’s disability discrimination laws vary, and it pays to research your own essential requirements before you fly. If you have not flown before or want further guidance, speak to specialist travel agents who are experienced in supporting disabled travellers, for example, Enable Holidays.

What items can you take on the aircraft?

Flying to and from the UK, you are allowed to take an additional two pieces of mobility equipment free of charge. This can include a wheelchair, a special seating system, or specialised buggy. Always check with your airline when you book. Some travellers like to hire equipment instead at their destination. Consider Mobility Equipment Hire Direct.

Can I take my wheelchair or scooter?

Wheelchair user with plane image

Yes, you can take your manual or powered wheelchair or scooter. If battery powered, it is subject to the dangerous goods requirements. The airline you choose to fly with will ask about the make and model of your wheelchair, its weight, and dimensions. If it is a powered chair or scooter, the airline will also need to ensure the batteries are safe in transit.

You can look at the BHTA website for information about your wheelchair and how it will need to be immobilised when stored in the aircraft hold. Consider the use of an Airsafe Plug. Take a copy of your wheelchair manual, and notify your wheelchair services if it’s not privately owned.

What medications can I take?

If taking over 100ml of medication, you will need a doctor’s letter. There is no limit to the amount you can take with you in the cabin. It’s advisable to take a doctor’s letter declaring medical implants, and if you are travelling to Middle Eastern countries check the legality of any drugs you plan to bring with you.

The UK CAA has an Aviation Health Unit for medical questions related to being in the cabin. Take essential prescriptions with you should you be delayed at your destination.

Selecting appropriate insurance

Always pre-disclose medical conditions. Consider the cover you will need not just for yourself but for your travelling companions, any staff accompanying you, and essential equipment.

Bear in mind that cover for some countries will cost significantly more than others, and, if airlines damage essential equipment, there is an international limit to the amount they may reimburse you, regardless of the value of your equipment. Speak to specialist disability/travel insurers like Fish Insurance or Free Spirit.

Booking your flight

Whether you book directly with the airline on your phone, via a travel agent, or online, it is your responsibility to communicate your requirements at least 48 hours in advance of your journey – or preferably when you book. ‘Pre-notifying’ helps the airline and airport to plan the support you require for both outbound and inbound flights. Check your request for assistance has been received with your airline.

Airport image

Arriving at the airport

According to European Law 1107/2006, you have the right to assistance from the time that you arrive at the airport. This can include getting from a hotel within the airport boundary to the terminal entrance. Take the time to look at the maps and videos of the airports you are using before your day of travel. These will show you where the special assistance receptions are and identify them.

Car parking

Take the time to see the arrangements your airports have in place if you are parking. Most will allow you to park at the short- and long-stay car park for the normal fee. By prior arrangement, you may take a copy of your Blue Badge on your journey. Take a look at the AA (www.theaa.com) for advice on how you can use your Blue Badge abroad.

Requesting assistance when you arrive at the airport

However, you arrive at your airport, you can request assistance from call points to help you make your way to the special assistance reception. Here, your assistance needs will be checked for your onward journey through the airport and boarding the aircraft. This can include chaperoning, support with carrying luggage, and boarding.

Flying with a disability image

Proceeding to check in

If you have luggage, you will need to visit the check-in desk, so your bags can be stored in the hold. If not, it’s likely you will have already checked in online and have either a printed or on-screen boarding pass. Remember that you can stay in your wheelchair all the way through to the aircraft door and that it will be tagged, in the same way that luggage is. You may be asked about your wheelchair dimensions and weight again.

Advice for travellers with autism

Visit the airport before you travel. Take a look at the resources airports provide the autistic traveller, including videos and online checklists.

Airport lounges can be a good investment for a place that is quieter, and make a plan should your flight be delayed. Request special assistance before you travel.

Consider a journey by coach, train, or underground as a means of assessing you or your travelling partner’s suitability if you have never flown. Bring items that soothe, relax, or distract for the journey, and have a plan if your flight is delayed.

What happens at security?

It is likely you will be fast tracked – you may be invited to join a queue for families. You can remain in your wheelchair if you use one; the team will take a small swab and wipe it on an item of your clothing to check that you are not carrying any unauthorised substances.

Wheelchair at plane exit image

Before any ‘pat down’, inform the staff member of any particular requirements and if you wish this to be done away from the queue. Be prepared that security checks may be somewhat different when you return from your destination airport.

Waiting in the departure lounge

Once through security you will be in the departure lounge. Most airports have a prominent special assistance area where you can wait for information or go shopping. Some provide a pager to notify you when you need to return. It is from here that you will board an airport buggy to take you to your gate.

Using the toilet

Check the facilities at the airports you are flying from, and to. While most should have accessible toilets, check with Changing Places to find out the availability of full changing facilities.

Getting to the gate

Getting to your aircraft can involve surprisingly long distances. You may want to save your energy for another part of the journey, so make the most of the assistance airports provide. Maps are available online of the distances involved in travelling through airports to help you plan.

How you board the aircraft

There are different ways to board the aircraft: by using steps, an Ambulift, an Airbridge (or jetty), or an Aviramp (a portable slope). A stairclimber is also available for smaller aircraft and airports. You may need to use a bus to get to the aircraft stand.

It’s important to know that airlines use different means of boarding depending on the aircraft type, what is available at the airport, and their arrangement with the airport. Ask questions about the arrangement the airline has in place at your airports when you book your flight.

Aeroplane image

Entering the aircraft and getting to your seat

Once you reach the outside of the aircraft, you will be welcomed on board by the aircraft cabin crew. Bear in mind that in the UK and Europe, if you require assistance, it will be the airport team that continue to assist until you get into your designated seat. If you use a wheelchair, you will now need to move into a transfer chair. The airport team will support you with your manual handling requirements. Communicate your requirements to the team before you are lifted.

A more dignified transfer can be achieved with the use of a Promove sling. Some UK and international airports also provide the mobile Eagle Hoist. Check for its availability at Haycomp.

Seating location in the cabin

Generally, airlines want to seat you so that you have a short distance to travel from the front or rear of the aircraft. If you are travelling alone, you will be asked to sit in a window seat in an economy seat configuration. There can be further restrictions on seating location due to cabin safety rules. Use SeatGuru to look at your seat choice ahead of your flight, and always check with your airline.

Seating and leg room

The amount of room for your legs is measured as ‘seat pitch’ and not leg room. If you need additional support, consider options including the Stabilo Cushion, Crelling Harness and MERU TravelChair for children. These are available to try ahead of your flight at QEF’s Tryb4uFly service. All aircraft seats will be required to be in an upright position for take-off and landing.

Using the toilet

Cabin crew can assist you getting to the door of the toilet using a narrow aisle chair. Toilets are small. If you have particular concerns, we recommend speaking to your continence nurse/adviser. Some new aircraft have two adjacent toilets with a folding wall that provides double space, including the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, depending on configuration.

During the flight – accessing oxygen

If you need oxygen for medical use, you can bring small gas oxygen or air cylinders with you, but you will need to seek the airlines approval first. International safety rules allow small gaseous oxygen or air cylinders required for medical use (no more than 5kg gross mass per cylinder), but the airline’s approval is required.

Devices containing liquid oxygen are prohibited. There is no blanket airline prohibition on the passenger using their own oxygen. Passengers should check with their airline.

Airport image

During the flight food and drink options

Discuss your requirements with your airline when you book. If there are any specific liquids or drinks that you need to bring and they exceed 100ml, you will require a letter from your doctor.

Preparing to land

If you use a wheelchair, remind cabin crew before you begin your descent that you will be expecting your wheelchair to be available immediately when you exit the aircraft.

Exiting the aircraft

If you are a wheelchair user or require assistance, anticipate exiting the aircraft last. While this can result in a delay to your journey, often you will make up this time as you are escorted through the airport. Remember that your destination airport is likely to have different facilities and access options. Investigate these before your flight.

If things don’t go as planned with your flight or at the airport

Always make a contingency plan if your flight is delayed, for whatever reason. Contact your airline or airport in the first instance if your journey does not go as planned. If they have not dealt with your complaint satisfactorily, contact the UK CAA online or call 0207 4536888.

Interesting prototype could allow powerchair users to stay in their own chair on aeroplanes

Interesting prototype could allow powerchair users to stay in their own chair on aeroplanes
Wheelchairs in the cabin - Flying Disabled presentation image

At last month’s British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) joint meeting for the Children’s Equipment, Independent Living, and Mobility sections, Chris Woods MBE from Flying Disabled and Josh Wintersgill from ableMove discussed wheelchairs in aircraft cabins and some of the barriers around flying as a wheelchair user.

The first-ever BHTA joint section meeting took place on 5 July 2023 at the Walton Hall Hotel and Spa in Warwickshire. It offered educational presentations for attendees and demonstrated the value of being a BHTA member.

During their presentation, ‘Wheelchairs in the cabin’, Chris and Josh highlighted an innovative aircraft prototype that allows powerchair users to stay in their own chair for the entire journey when flying on an aeroplane.

The powerchair prototype is part of the Air4All campaign launched by a consortium made up of PriestmanGoode, Flying Disabled, and SWS Certification, which raises awareness of the issues wheelchair users face when flying.

Typically, wheelchairs cannot get down aircraft aisles. The interesting prototype, which is based on the Sunrise Medical Quickie Q100 powerchair, means the user can stay in their own powerchair, which simply slots in the place of an aeroplane seat at the front of the plane.

It works by changing an aircraft seat for an able-bodied individual to being accessible for wheelchair users. This prototype would remove transfers altogether, enables the user to stay in their own wheelchair, and improves dignity for users.

See the prototype in action in this video.

As the prototype is based on one powerchair model, the consortium is aiming to create a prototype that works for many different powered and manual wheelchair models. Air4All’s current focus is powerchairs, but it will explore manual wheelchairs with custom seating for those with postural needs in the future.

ableMove is also looking at developing a postural seat to go over aircraft seats, for those with complex needs, as a medium-term solution while aircraft standards and designs improve.

Josh and Chris stressed that wheelchair manufacturers should educate airlines on the range of barriers users face when flying and work with them to help drive positive change.