There are a number of accessibility issues when considering plane travel. These involve the accessibility of the airport, the accessibility of boarding and disembarking from the plane (which varies depending on the airline and airport), and the accessibility of the plane itself.

Checking-in at the airport

If you have a lot of baggage it is a good idea to take an assistant to the airport. On the plane there are some seats that have extra legroom and usually do not have any other seats in front of them. You can try and request these seats when you originally book your ticket or when you check-in at the airport. You can check-in by queuing in the regular line. However, if the queue is long and your flight is due to depart in less than an hour, you should move to the check-in counter at the front of the queue and make yourself known to the check-in staff.

If you use a wheelchair or will require a wheelchair to get onto the aircraft, the airline staff will need extra time to check your wheelchair into baggage and to transfer you into a narrower wheelchair. This narrower airport wheelchair fits down the aisle of the aircraft so you can transfer, or be assisted to transfer, into your seat. Regular wheelchairs do not fit down the narrow aisles on the plane and as such your wheelchair will travel with the baggage. Although you will need to be transferred onto the airport wheelchair you can ask to stay in your own chair as long as possible. This way you will be more comfortable if there is a long wait until boarding. Also it can be good to go to the airport toilet before boarding the plane.

If you use a powerchair, the airline staff usually disconnect the leads from the batteries to the motors and controller and tape the ends so that no power is used whilst flying. If this doesn't happen in front of you, double check with the staff that it will happen. During check-in time staff are often very busy and it's important that you tell them what you need. Some people remove their controller box from their chair and take it on board with them in their hand luggage. This prevents it from being damaged. If you are questioned about flying with a powerchair, simply tell the airline staff that the batteries are sealed and it is safe to fly with just having the leads disconnected (if this is the case). When your wheelchair is being checked-in you can also request that it is brought to the gate when you arrive at your destination rather than it being taken to baggage collection with all the bags.

Boarding and disembarking

Most airports have staff that assist you to get to your boarding gate and to get on and off the plane. Sometimes they may be so used to assisting people that they forget to explain what they are doing or what is happening next. It's important to ask if you are unsure about something, if they are pushing too fast or if they are about to lift you incorrectly. Most staff are only too willing to help if you just explain how you like things done. At your destination, the airline staff will assist you to leave the aircraft after all other passengers have disembarked and an airport worker will usually assist you to the baggage collection if you require this. Remember, airports are big places and pushing long distances after a long flight can be hard!

Personal Story

I always joke that I get the longest flight because I get onto the aircraft first and off last.

On-board assistance

Once on board the aircraft, flight attendants will assist you with your seatbelt and offer cushions to make you more comfortable. During some flights light refreshments are served. Flight attendants will usually assist you to open the containers and by placing straws in juice/water/tea/coffee or other drinks.

Please be aware that although some airlines say that their aircraft have accessible toilets sometimes these aircraft may not have an aircraft wheelchair! The narrow wheelchair that the airline staff use to put you on the plane does not stay on the plane as it belongs to the airport and may be needed for other passengers. When booking your flights it is important to check that your airline has their own on-board wheelchair. 

It's also important to note that the accessible toilets on the aircraft are not anything like the accessible toilets that you may use at shopping centres or even in the airport. The aircraft toilets are very small and even the small aircraft wheelchair will not fit inside. If you usually transfer on to toilets you may have some difficulty with this and will probably need some assistance from your friends or family or whoever you are travelling with. Although the airline staff will get the aircraft wheelchair for you and may give you a hand, it is best not to assume that they will help with lifting.

Remember that during the flight, if you need assistance you can press the “Call Button” which is either on the armrest or above your head. If it is difficult for you to reach, you may need to ask the person sitting next to you to push it for you. Alternatively, you could catch the attention of a flight attendant as they walk past.