Best Airlines for Disabilities

[Disneylvr]

We are flying for the first time (post autism diagnosis) next May. We are hoping to find an airline with non-stop flights that will also allow me to pre-board with Madelyn. These are our choices out of STL.

Southwest
AirTran
American Airlines

We could also fly out of the MidAmerica Airport on an airline called Allegient Air. Any experiences (good and bad) on these airlines with autism?

 

[prncess674]

All airlines have similar policies. A positive vs negative airline experience is highly dependent on the employees you run into that day. I would go with the airline with the best times and price.

 

[Forevryoung]

I agree, time of day makes a huge difference.

More families fly in the early morning going to their vacation and early evening going home- I would avoid those times if your daughter would be ok flying at other times of the day.

You might actually consider boarding LAST with an airline that has a seat assignment, less time on the plane in a confined space although it definitely depends on your daughter (american airlines has assigned seating while southwest doesnt)

I know it's more difficult with the liquid regulations but my aunt (cousin is on the spectrum) has had success with planning take off right before lunchtime- by the time that they were in the air, it was time to eat, and eating took up more time than usual. It was a good distractor because my cousin was hungry and was ready to focus on food instead of the new surroundings. It won't work for all, that's for sure

 

[derocas]

My 10 year old son has PDD and flying with AirTran was a nightmare. They cancelled our original nonstop flight automatically booked us on a later flight that was delayed. When I called to find out how long was the delay (it was suppose to leave at 7:30 but was delayed until 9:30 at night) they found an earlier flight for us and booked us. When I went to the airport I was told that the flight was overbooked and we were not allowed to board. They had no flights going out that day or night and could only put me on a flight that left at 8 am and arrived in Orlando at 2:30 pm with a stop in Atlanta. When I explained that my son has autism the supervisor Ray told me too bad. I should not have changed to an earlier flight. I had to call the 1-800 # to make new reservations since no one would help me in the philadelphia airport. Customer service got on the phone with Ray and told him to give us hotel vouchers since we just drove 1 1/2 hours to Phil and now had to pack up the car and drive to newark which was 2 1/2 hours away to catch a flight that left at 6:00 am with a stop in Atlanta. Ray refused. Customer service told me to fax them a hotel bill for up to 3 moderate price hotel rooms and they would refund my credit card the amount. We drove to Newark checked in to the Days Inn and got 2 rooms (there were 7 people, two families in our party) The hotel faxed the bill at 4:00 am when we were leaving for the airport (yes 4:00 am to catch the 6:00 am flight) When I called that day to verify that my fax was received it was. When I called later that week to find out when my cc would be refunded I was told that after further review they will only refund me half of the bill. I should not have changed my flight to the earlier flight.
I would strongly advise anyone against AirTran. They often cancel flights, overbook, and change customers from nonstop flights to flights with a stop in Atlanta. AirTran certainly dropped the ball with us.

 

[prncess674]

I would strongly advise anyone against AirTran. They often cancel flights, overbook, and change customers from nonstop flights to flights with a stop in Atlanta. AirTran certainly dropped the ball with us.

You could replace any airline in the following statement. Go check out the transportation forum. Someone has something horrible to say about every airline.

Why was your flight cancelled? Was weather? mechanical? Airlines can't control the weather.

 

[3inthefamily]

We've always had good experiences with Southwest. DS is still young enough to preboard, so we just get on early and pick seats and put him inbetween my husband and myself. We also have a letter from the dr. for him if there is ever an issue. The best thing we do is bring a portable dvd player and/or his leapsterLmax and plenty of snacks. He stays quiet and occupied the whole time.

Good luck!

 

[derocas]

I understand that airlines can't control the weather. That's why my original flight was cancelled. AirTran automatically booked us on a later flight. When I went to print out my boarding pass it said that the new flight was delayed but didn't say how much of a delay. When I called to see how much of a delay the very nice lady from AirTran found an earlier flight for us and booked us. When we got to the airport the supervisor told the man checking in our bags NOT to let us on that flight that it was overbooked. The man checking us in said he doesn't understand since our names were in the computer but he had no control because he's just following his supervisor's directions. This is what I have a problem with. Then there was they way we were treated in the aiprort, the supervisor telling me ,"too bad" I should not have changed my flight,(Tell me if someone offered you an earlier flight wouldn't you take it?), and then they promised to pay for our hotel then changed their minds and will only pay for half???
On the way home our flight was delayed and so was our connecting flight. We were in the air flying over Atlanta for 3 hours due to the weather. I understand that. What I don't understand is how can you book 7 people on a flight then turn them away and somehow "too bad" it's MY fault?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I have not heard anything bad about Allegient Air. However, it goes in to Sanford which is about $100 each way by taxi and ME does not operate there.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I'm a paraplegic and have had nothing but good experiences with Delta.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

I found American Airlines to be absolutely wonderful when I flew to Cal and back earlier this year with my chair. It was my first flight with my own chair and everything went wonderfully, other than a bit of a hitch with the bookings (which they sorted out immediately and politely). I have no experience with them regarding autism, but as the staff were all polite, friendly and helpful, I wouldn't think you'd have too many problems. Even if something did go wrong, I get the impression that they'd sort it out as best they could.

Good luck and have a great trip, whomever you fly with!

 

[SueM in MN]

Whatever airline you talk about, you will probably find someone whose experience with them is really good and another person with a bad experience.

Our personal experience with AirTran on several trips with a DD with multiple disabilities was excellent. I have read posts on the Transportation Board where people have said AirTran overbooked or cancelled flights, but we have had no problems. I don't know why our experiences with AirTran were different than derocas, but suspect it may because we traveled out of Minneapolis each time.

The experience that derocas reported brings up a good point whatever airline you use. You should bring some resources with you in case of trouble.
The Department of Justice has a website about your rights as a traveler with disabilities. Check it out and there may be some things you want to print out and bring along in case you need them.
Also, DOT's Disability Hotline, 800/778-4838 or 800/455-9880 (TTY) will provide real-time assistance with disability-related air travel problems, questions about facilities accomodations, and information on how to obtain printed consumer information on their rights. That is an excellent number to have on your cell phone (and hope to never need).

 

[curemyreed]

I've flown many times with my autistic daughter on Southwest and twice on American. All positive experiences. I explain her diagnosis and ask to pre-board with the disabled on Southwest because my daughter does not understand to keep her foot off the back of the seat in front of her and I don't wish to bother the person there, so we sit in the row in the front that doesn't have seats in front of it to avoid that problem. When booking American I explained that and they seated us so there was not a seat in front of her. (The down-side is that you don't have that big ole' pull down tray from the seat in front of you.)

Mainly, for a positive experience, I would strongly second the recommendation to take a portable DVD player, snacks, etc. I buy enough new DVD's for each way and save them for the trip so they are still novel. Also, be sure the DVD player you purchase has a long battery life...they vary by brand.

You are going to have fun!

 

[mellers]

I've flown on southwest, AA, Alaska, Northwest, America West and USAir domestically. with my autistic DD, as well as internationally on USAir & Virgin. I would wholeheartedly second the DVD player suggestion, but I can honestly say, there wasn't a single airline that turned me down for preboard when I told them my child was autistic.

What really worked for me is that my daughter loves Disney everything--it is her special interest. We bought cheap playset toys with Disney Characters at the local KB or Toys R Us, and she would play for hours with no problems. If your child has some special interest you could accommodate (Thomas the Tank Engine, Barbie, etc.) this might work for you.

One thing I would definitely add--you are wise to take your daughter on a plane while she is young! My daughter's now a seasoned 11 year old traveler, and knows the gate procedure better than most adults. Her friends who have never been on a plane have a lot more trouble when their first flight is when they're 11 or 12.

She thinks of it as a more or less expected experience.

Since this is the first flight, if you can, I would go online and get a map to the airport--find out what restaurants and facilities are/will be there, and where they are. Questions about "where are we eating", etc. can be answered much more easily this way.

 

[Disneylvr]

Thank you everyone! I have one more question. Which portable DVD players have a long lasting battery?

DD is non-verbal but has always traveled (in the car) very well. We plan on having a social story about airports and flying. We are also going to make several trips to the airport just to walk about and look at plans taking off. Our biggest problem is going to be not being able to take her favorite beverage (milk) with us through security. Will we be able to buy it near the gates? We haven't flown since 2004.

 

[eternaldisneyfan]

www.iflymat.org is a new service specializing in flying for people with disabilities. They use private planes and charge standard fare. They are going to be fully operational this Thanksgiving.

 

[SueM in MN]

TOur biggest problem is going to be not being able to take her favorite beverage (milk) with us through security. Will we be able to buy it near the gates? We haven't flown since 2004.

I'm hoping there is only one airport in St. Louis and that you are flying out of that city.
Once you are thru security, you can buy milk. From the vendor list, you could get milk at
Burger King at gates E-6, D-3 or on the upper level at UL-15

Also, check with the airline. Many have milk as one of the beverage choices.

For making your social stories, the Orlando airport has some helpful things. They have an arrival page with pictures of what you will see.
And they also have a departures walkthru page with pictures of the things you will see when you are departing. Some of the pictures may work for leaving from your airport too.

Orlando has lots of food vendors, so I don't think you will have any problem finding milk when you leave.

 

[Disneylvr]

Yes, we have just one main airport in St. Louis (STL) although there is a smaller airport (Mid America Airport) just across the river in IL that Alligent Airlines flies out of. We will probably go American Airlines out of STL though. Thank you Sue!