Flying Southwest with a wheelchair

[daughtersrus]

This will be our first trip flying to Disney. There are 8 total in our group. We are flying Southwest out of Chicago but have to change planes in Nashville. We did not pay for early boarding. Does anyone have experience with boarding with Southwest? Our DD needs to have DH carry her on to the plane and someone from our group sit next to her. Will they allow us at least the two of them to board early? I'm worried about having to change planes and that there won't be two seats next to each other if there are already customers on the plane from the earlier flight.

I've called SW and they just told me to tell them when we get to the airport. They also said that we will be the last off the flight from Chicago because of the wheelchair so we will have even less time to get to the gate for the connecting flight.

 

[KPeveler]

As soon as you get off the plane in Chicago, have the gate call your new gate to tell them you must have two seats together. Have someone else in your party get off the plane while your DH and DD wait for the wheelchair. You can also send the rest of your party ahead and see if two of them can sit together on the second flight. Then those two can move when your DH and DD get there.

Generally I have not had a problem getting the seat I need on the second flight. If need be, they will move people.


How long is your layover?

 

[daughtersrus]

We have a 50 min layover. Our fight leaves Chicago at 7:35am. It lands in Nashville at 8:50. We switch planes in Nashville and that flight leaves Nashville at 9:40 and lands in Orlando at 12:25

 

[aribelle]

Contact Southwest (or tell them at the gate) and let them know that your daughter will need a wheelchair. They will bring her and your DH down the ramp to the plane entrance and he can carry her into the plane from there. They will also have put a note that you will need a wheelchair to meet you upon arrival and they'll bring you over to the second flight's gate and again, take her in the chair down the ramp to the door of the plane. DH simply needs to carry her out the plane door and the wheelchairs and attendants will be just outside the door.

Those in wheelchairs board first. Southwest is a find your own seat....disabled cannot sit in the exit rows, but otherwise it is whereever you choose.

They typically start pre-boarding about 30 minutes before departure, so with only a 50 minute window you will really need to hurry getting off one flight and to the gate of the other. I would suggest that on the incoming flight (which it if is Southwest you will also board first) that you sit in the first couple of rows......that will make it easiest for your DH and DD to deplane and move quickly but safely to the next gate.

Technically the rule is that only one other person can preboard with the disabled person, but I have two teens that travel with me and quite often the gate person will allow both of them to come with me. It is, however, really up to their discretion....I never outright ask....but have both of them standing with me in the preboard line.

The times they have not allowed us all to board together, I'll take the aisle seat and the daughter coming with me takes the window.....because the center seats are almost always the last ones to be taken by the time the other kid arrives no one has sat there.

Southwest has always been VERY easy to work with for me....you just need to let them know what you need. They won't ask...but if you do the asking they will go the distance to help you.

 

[cgncga]

This will be our first trip flying to Disney. There are 8 total in our group. We are flying Southwest out of Chicago but have to change planes in Nashville. We did not pay for early boarding. Does anyone have experience with boarding with Southwest? Our DD needs to have DH carry her on to the plane and someone from our group sit next to her. Will they allow us at least the two of them to board early? I'm worried about having to change planes and that there won't be two seats next to each other if there are already customers on the plane from the earlier flight.

I've called SW and they just told me to tell them when we get to the airport. They also said that we will be the last off the flight from Chicago because of the wheelchair so we will have even less time to get to the gate for the connecting flight.

We usually fly with Southwest about once a year. My youngest daughter uses a medical stroller (although we will hopefully have her wheelchair by the time we fly next month) and she and I have always been able to pre-board while my husband and elder daughter board according to their boarding passes. The pre-boarding gives me time to get her settled in her seat before the plane starts to fill up.

I don't know anything about switching planes, though. We always book non-stop flights. It's just easier for us.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

OP, I hope you can work this out. I would suggest that in the future you stick to airlines with assigned seating; it would make your travel so much easier and less stressful.

 

[mrsksomeday]

I have done 12 round trip flights on Southwest with a person in a power wheelchair. Southwest is wonderful to work with, they will ask people to move to accommodate you. We do what cgncga does, we always book nonstop flights. I hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[BillSears]

I think your biggest issue will be the connecting flight. Wheelchair users are first on but also last off or very close to it. They have to pull your wheelchair from the luggage area and bring it up to the plane and that usually takes almost as long as getting everyone else off of the plane. So for boarding the next flight you probably won't be able to get off and over to the other plane in time to be the first one to board the plane.

 

[thumpie's mom]

My daughter requires a wheelchair as well and we frequently fly Southwest. If you have a connecting flight, you can request the chair be checked to your final destination. Then you request wheelchair assistance for your layover. This works well since they typically have the airport wheelchairs there waiting for you and you don't have to wait for your personal chair to be brought up and when you have short layovers it can certainly help speed things up! I also have to lift my daughter into the plane...Southwest has always been very helpful. We board first, I take her chair right inside the plane and then transfer her. They will then take her chair out. I do always watch and make sure it gets loaded. I would recommend calling Southwest and alerting them to your needs...they can put it on the reservation information. Good luck and have a wonderful trip!