Hello i have a couple of question's.
1-what are the best seat's on the aircraft for 5 of us a one of us can't stand or walk, and the other can't really walk.
This depends highly on the individuals needs. Some people absolutely need a seat with movable armrest to be able to make their transfer. For them, a bulkhead seat for instance would definately not work (no movable armrest). You need to call the airline and talk to their special needs department. Assuming your flight will be departing in the UK (Virgin after all
) you are covered by EU regulation regarding flying with a mobility disability. Amongst others it states that the airline must do their utmost to get you a seat that fits your needs, as long as you inform the airline no later than 48 hours before the flight.
2- can me personally take an electric and manual chair to America.
Yes you can. That same EU regulation stipulates (applicable to all flights departing from, landing in or connecting within the EU) that you can bring along up to 2 mobility aids per person, including wheelchairs. This is free of charge. Again; you need to inform the airline beforehand, and work with them with regards to the type of battery. Wet means more rules to follow, for instance.
3-what type of assistance will we get through the airport in Orlando Intl we will have 2 of us in electric wheelchair's and 3 walking and a manual wheelchair and 10 piece's of luggage partly due to medical reason's. To the car rental company who is parking at Orlando.
Again; inform the airline. You can get help for yourself. Read; help to get off the aircraft, be pushed while in the manual, get your reunited with the powerchair. Luggage should be your own responsibility for those that can, but we have run into those willing to help out with that also. Remember, it's the USA you're in now, no longer the EU. (read; tipping
).
I do this all the time, though not on Virgin. (am flying in from Amsterdam). I always very very clearly explain my needs, abilities and limits to the airline I fly with. Since a lack of understanding those can lead to permanent damage in my case, it is my responsibility to make sure those are very much known.
I always fly in a bulkhead seat. Why? The lack of having a seat in front of me. The back of a seat coming towards me can be enough to dislocate for instance a kneecap in my case. There are other reasons why I prefer it, but those are of littler importance as the one I mentioned. If I need anything out of my luggage? I tend not to fly solo, in which cases the FA's are more than happy to get me my bag. I make it a point of fetching all out of it I know I'll need during the flight at once, so they are not helping me on that department tens of times on the flight.
Before checking in my powerchair, I always make it 'fly ready'. Which means; removing all parts that can come off, extra packing any non removable parts that might be more damagable, sticking a big note with not too many words in a big letter type on it, explaining in both english and dutch how to handle and NOT handle the chair. Than, I take photo's off it (with a date clear, for instance a newspaper of that day on the chair), so I can prove the state it was in when I left it behind. Just in case damage does happen.
Damage of chairs; it is a real risk. Set yourself in a mindset that with that many chairs, something will happen. Probably minor (scrathes, a break thats pushed out of place etc. ), but major can also happen. In those cases; file a complaint right at the airport. The airline is responsable for sorting it all out, if needed getting you a spare chair while your own is being repared, pay for costs etc.
The most important thing is communication. With the airline (long) before your flight is scheduled. At check in, yet again. When checking in the wheelchair, again. When gateloading the manual chair; again. Before boarding with those providing you assistance. With the FA about possible needs during the flight. Before deplaning with those providing assistance. Anyhow, you get the drill.
