Airlines for wheelchairs

[wisbucky]

I have been checking into airlines that offer special seating for folks who are wheelchair bound. My cousin is wheelchair bound and not able to transfer to an airplane seat. Does anyone know if there are any airlines that allow a person to remain in their wheelchair on board? I realize this would require a special area designed for wheelchairs to be fastened in.

 

[Chuck S]

I've never heard of an airline with a section that allows people to remain in their chair, there may be some special "medical flight" type charters, but they would be cost prohibitive for most people. I know when we hd my Great Aunt flown on a medical charter from San francisco to Texas so we could look after her in her final days it was several thousand dollars, and that was in 1985.

 

[CarolA]

I think Chuck is right. I have never heard of anyone being allowed to sit in thier chair and there are no places to do that on scheduled carriers.

Now, you might call the airline. Quad and Parapalegics are routlinely transported on the airlines. Basically, the skycap team transfers the passenger to a special wheelchair that takes them onto the plane. The Team then transfers these folks to thier seat and the whole process is repeated on the return.

 

[safetymom]

I agree with the others. I don't think there is any regular airline that has a special seating area to allow people to remain in their wheelchairs. I would call the airlines and ask them.

 

[pugdog]

None of the airlines will transport a chair up top. You have to transfer and have your chair travel below. There is no safe way to tie a chair down and the batteries are also a big issue. ug:

 

[BCV23]

Some airlines will be able to stow manual wheelchairs in the cabin. Depends on the plane.

When we use to travel with a manual Quickie, we usually were able to stow it in the cabin. If there is a problem, they will gate check it and get it to you quickly upon landing.

But your cousin would still need to transfer to a seat.

 

[NotUrsula]

Not in the US, the FAA won't allow it. If you really can't sit in a seat (having been transferred into the seat by airline personnel), then the only option is travelling on a stretcher. A stretcher is a really expensive proposition, because it usually displaces anywhere from 5-12 passengers, as the stretcher is secured on top of the seatbacks.

Check around for resources on wheelchair travel. Also, I'm sure there are lots of folks on the disAbilities board who have been through this and can advise your cousin.

 

[AMcaptured]

I think calling the airlines is your best bet to get the most accurate information. We flew down to FL for New Years and a wheelchair passenger arrived and the airline was never informed the passenger needed assistance. The gate agents weren't very happy they had to start moving passengers around after the plane had already started to board to make adjustments for this passenger. We were one of the last passengers on and the gate agent said the airline is more than happy to accomodate passengers but we get upset when they just arrive at the gate and have not informed anyone of their situation when making the reservations. There is a special wheelchair that can fit down a plane aisle, a standard wheelchair won't.

I would directly to the source for your answers, they deal with these types of situations every day.

Good Luck!

 

[SueM in MN]

This is pretty much just agreeing with what the other have posted.

There are no airlines in the US that allow someone to stay in their own wheelchair and have it strapped down. There are too many variations in wheelchairs to be able to make them safe for sitting in on an airplane.

There is a very narrow wheelchair called an aisle chair that a person who can't walk (or be carried) down the aisle can transfer (of be lifted) onto. The aisle chair is pushed to the person's seat and then they are transferred (lifted if needed) to the airplane seat. When he was alive, Christopher Reeve actually was a spokesperson for company that made aisle chairs, so if he could use one, most people with disabilities should be able to.

The person can stay in their own wheelchair until just before boarding. Depending on the size of the wheelchair, it may be possible for the person to bring their wheelchair into the front of the plane and then transefer. Many airplanes have a closet that a folded manual wheelchair will fit into. They are not required to have room for more than one wheelchair in the cabin and someone else may already be using it, so there are no guarantees.

All airlines have some sort of department that deals with special needs. Some have a link on their website that is easy to find; at others, you will need to do a search, but all have someone that handles special needs.

 

[CarolA]

Another thing to consider is oxygen. If your cousin needs portable 02 there is a whole NEW set of concerns. Be sure to tell the airlines EVERYTHING they might need to know....

 

[wisbucky]

Thanks everyone for your inputs and info. My cousin is unable to support himself sitting in a regular chair. He has muscular dystrophy. If he were to be transferred to a plane seat he would have to be strapped in so that he would not fall forward or off to the side. Which is probably very easy to do, however; with a flight of over 2 hours he may end up with some aches and pains. He is also a full-grown adult. So the act of transferring manually (he usually uses a lift) may end up causing all sorts of problems due to such a cramped area on a plane. Hope this makes sense to everyone.

My aunt and uncle have decided to drive down with my cousin. It will be a long haul for him but at this point it seemed the only logical way.

The main concern is for him to get to Disney safe and sound. After all is said and done the look on his face when he gets to Disney World will be worth everything.

 

[Chuck S]

As an aside, Mom & I were once on a plane that had a "medical" seating area...don't remember if it was American or Delta, I've only seen it that one time. They sat Mom & I in it, the flight was full and they were the only two seats together, the airline changed their "scheduled" aircraft type. It was in the back of the cabin, the row of seats in front of the medical area had been removed, allowing for quite of bit of "maneuver" room, he would still need to be transferred to a plane seat. But given your cousin's needs, and having to be fully strapped in, it may be best for your relatives to drive. If there are still planes with "medical" seating, I have no idea what costs would be involved.

I'm sure however you get to WDW, your cousin will have a great trip

 

[NotUrsula]

I have a friend whose DH has similar issues. He actually prefers flying, because riding for long periods in a motor vehicle exhausts him so badly that it can take days for him to recover from it.

If your cousin has not done a really long road trip under these circumstances, it may be important to build in a day or so for rest after the drive but before the "vacation" so that he can recoup his strength before tackling the parks for the first time.

 

[wisbucky]

We live in Wisconsin and the drive to Florida (non-stop) is approx. 20-24 hours depending on traffic. My aunt and uncle plan on taking 5 days to get there. It is a lot of added expense with hotels each night, gas, food and everything else in between VS flying. But the main goal is to get my consign there safe and as NotUrsula said not worn out.