Flight days can be stressful for anyone when traveling, but especially when you have to think about how to get a wheelchair at the airport. But this article will help to ease that anxiety and give you the tips to make it a smooth and easy process.
By helping you to know what to expect, how to prepare, and how to navigate flight days as a wheelchair user, your time traveling can be relaxing and much more enjoyable. So, here is how to make your journey as a wheelchair user more successful.
Call the airline 48 hours prior to your flight to get a wheelchair at the airport
Arrive to the airport early
Arriving early to the airport is important, especially as a wheelchair user. It is best to arrive for a domestic flight two hours prior to departure, and three hours prior to departure for an international flight. This should allow you enough time to seek wheelchair assistance at the airport and make your way to your gate without being rushed.
How to get a wheelchair at the airport ticketing counter?
Assistance points at the airport will have a disability related logo and can either be inside or outside the airport. The logo will be prominently displayed near the entrance, so you should be able to find this location fairly easily. If not, simply ask a worker to direct you to that area once your bags are checked. There, they will loan you a wheelchair to use until you board the plane if needed, assist you either in the loaner or in your own wheelchair through TSA procedures, assist you to your gate, and also assist you with boarding the plane. Voice your needs and tell the staff what assistance you need. You are your best advocate.
Do you pay for wheelchair assistance at the airport?
Although wheelchair assistance at the airport is free of charge, it is customary to tip your assistant for helping you to or from your gate. A usual tip may be from $5 - $10 depending on what you think is appropriate. If you don’t have any money to give, at least let the worker know that they are valued and appreciated by thanking them for their time and service.
Boarding the plane with a wheelchair
The airport assistants will help you to board the plane if you are not able to walk to your seat. They will assist you from your wheelchair into an aisle chair that is slimmer and smaller that will fit down the aisle of the plane. Preboarding the plane before anyone else is a right guaranteed to disabled people by the Air Carrier Access Act. This will allow guests extra time to be assisted to their plane seat, put the carry-on luggage away, and get adjusted comfortably without having to squeeze between other passengers.
How to find the perfect flight and hotel prior to your departure
During the vacation planning process, you might wonder which airlines, hotels or destinations are the most wheelchair-friendly, and which ones to avoid. I’ve gathered here a few recommendations, based on my own experience, to help you organize your trip.
If you don't know yet where to go...
Before you think about how to get wheelchair assistance at airport, you will first need to decide where in this amazing world that you would like to go. Being a wheelchair user myself, there are a lot of amazing wheelchair accessible destinations that I have visited so far. To start your research, check out accessible travel blogs and websites: Wheelchairtraveling.com, Worldonwheelsblog.com and Spintheglobe.net.
If you are looking for the perfect flight…
Once you have narrowed that down to where, next is to plan how you will get there. By going to the KAYAK Flights Search Tool, you can see what options of air travel are available to get you there the quickest or most affordable way. Here, you can find the best flight to meet your needs, as you can count on this site to search for the best deal. Traveling as a wheelchair user can be expensive, so I always love finding the best deal possible.
If you are unsure which hotel will be best for you...
You can also search on KAYAK for hotel options. This provides you with the information of options available in the area that you desire and can even alert you of any price changes prior to your booking. After finding the perfect hotel, call the hotel to ask directly any questions that you may have concerning the accessibility in the room and explain what you may need to make your stay more comfortable.
Now, as you land at your destination, the airport staff will again assist you off the plane and into a wheelchair, whether it is yours that you have brought from home, or a loaner chair to traverse the airport. You are now ready to grab those checked bags and begin your journey.
