Travel Tips
Accessible Airways
Despite laws to ensure barrier free access for travellers as well as a noticeable increase in the number of flyers with special needs, misinformation about air travel for disabled travellers continues to float around. So does having a disability indicate an inability to fly? Definitely not! With a bit of advance planning, most disabled travellers will find that travelling by air is indeed the easiest and the fastest way to get to their destination.
This article will show you how to address issues that you are likely to come across during your journey. To help you better plan your strategy, we have divided the journey in four distinct parts:
- Travelling to and from the airport
- At the terminal
- Boarding the airplane and deplaning
- The actual flying hours
Travelling to and from the airport
Getting to the airport might seem like the most trivial item on your itinerary, (after all you probably know the transportation routes and facilities and maybe even the layout of the terminal through which you will pass.) But, do spend a little time on deciding who will take you to the airport. If you plan to drive yourself, you will need to leave the car in the parking lot. Check with the airport staff to know if,
- You can transfer to an accessible bus to reach the terminal
- You will need to traverse any distance to reach the bus
- You can have assistance to cover this distance
Make sure that you have worked out all the details, so you are not stranded at the last minute.So much for the originating airport! When planning how you will move out of the destination airport, you will find that there is very limited information that you have at your disposal. For example, you are not aware of the terminal layout, unless you have passed through it before, or how much walking distance you will need to negotiate before reaching your ground transportation.
Ideally, consult your travel agent and ask or as many details as possible. Also, it is advisable to ask them to make arrangements for commuting to your accommodation in the new city, unless of course, a friend or a relative is planning to pick you up.
At the terminal
There are two distinct entities that will provide you with assistance at the terminal:
- The airport staff will help you reach the check-in desk
- The airlines staff will help you board the airplane
Airport facilities are required to have a barrier free design. E.g., they must provide at least one accessible route from the terminal entrance to the boarding area to facilitate mobility for disabled flyers.
At the check-in desk, you will be asked to deposit your wheelchair along with your other luggage for stowing into the cargo hold. Make sure that your travel agent has arranged for a ‘transfer chair’ with the airport staff so that your mobility is not hampered.
An important aspect to consider while passing through a terminal is that if it is a large international airport, the terminals will be typically located at different levels. So be prepared to ask for personalised assistance if you need to use the elevators.
Boarding the airplane and deplaning
Most airports tackle the access issues during boarding or deplaning by using low level loading jetways. If for some reason you find that you are unable to use it due to problems with the length, gradient, or evenness of surface, do not hesitate to seek assistance form the airlines staff.
Sometimes, at smaller airports or if you are flying on small aircrafts, level entry bridges may not be available. In such an event, you might be using manually operated stair-climbers, aircraft boarding lifts, or platform lifts.
Accessibility regulations require that the airport provide level-entry loading bridges, mobile lounges, or other accessible boarding devices for easy boarding and deplaning of disabled flyers.
The actual flying hours
Now that you have planned how will get to the airport, how you will move around the terminal. How you will get into the airplane and even how you will get out of the airport when you deplane; it is now time to plan for the time that you will spend on board.
- Ensure that the width of the aisle is adequate enough for easy movement. Again, this is something that you should ask your travel agent to find for you before you book your tickets.
- Be the first to board and the last to deplane, as its infinitely easier to negotiate your way to your seat in an empty aircraft. Usually this is a requirement for most airlines, and the airlines staff will ensure this for you.
Accessing the washrooms
If you are flying on a long-distance or an international route, you will probably be on board for long hours. Obviously, a major concern here would be the ability to easily access the washrooms. To tackle this,
- Book a seat that is closer to the washrooms. This will help you avoid long journeys down the aisles.
- Request for an aisle seat with a moveable armrest. This will make it easier for you to get in and out of your seat.
- Try and travel with a companion. Since, the cabin crew are not allowed to lift passengers in and out of seats during the flight, they will not be able to help you with transfers.
Transfers
This is perhaps the most strenuous part of the air travel for you, because you will typically be ‘transferred’ at least three times from the time you arrive at the airport to the departure point - from your car in the parking lot to the bus to reach the terminal, from your own wheelchair to a people mover at the check-in desk, and into an electric cart to reach the departure gate. This process will follow in reverse order as you deplane, reclaim your wheelchair, and move out of the airport.
Naturally, you will need to ensure that the transfers are carried out safely by the airlines/airport personnel. Here are some tips to help them help you. Ask them to ensure that:
- Both the chair are locked and stabilized.
- Straps around the torso and feet are secured to stop you from slipping.
- The boarding chair is placed right next to your wheelchair.
Finally, don’t hesitate in telling them which is your best transferring side and the lifting procedure you are most comfortable with.
To wrap up
Remember to find out about accessibility rules and regulations before you fly, so you know your rights at the airport and in the aircraft. The largest airport in the UK, Heathrow adheres to the rules and regulation put in place to ensure that the disabled traveller is not discriminated against when travelling. Facilities and assistance can be found throughout all of the Terminals to ensure that your travel is made easier. To find accessible hotels at Heathow Airport check out Heathrow Airport Guide
