Let’s look into Air Travel with a Disability. Air Travel has been the safest way to reach your destination for quite some time now. While flying may not always be the fastest mode of travel, it’s sometimes without an alternative. But is it the most convenient when traveling with a disability? Here’s your ultimate Guide and our offer to help you with your air travel plans.
In 2008, the European Union introduced Regulation (EC) No. 1107/2006, establishing a basis that states the “Rights of Disabled Air Passengers and Passengers with Reduced Mobility” should be placed on equal footing, just as they apply to unrestricted citizens.
Has this solved all the issues for individuals with mobility constraints at airports and in airplanes? Unfortunately, no. Therefore, you’ll find in-depth information here on how to make your journey successful, who you should know as contacts, and what alternatives exist beyond commercial aviation.
As a person with disabilities, you should not face discrimination compared to so-called able-bodied individuals. This means that airports and airlines must ensure that your travel experience is provided without limitations.
Additionally, as a person with limitations, no fees should be charged for any service. All passengers, through their tickets, contribute a small solidarity amount to the respective airports and airlines. This contribution is intended to ensure that all travel expenses related to restricted individuals are covered. We believe this is the right approach. However, it’s also important to be aware of this fact and to understand that you have the right to access such services.
We now know that the European Union has introduced a regulation to facilitate unrestricted air travel for all individuals. Similar regulations also exist on the other side of the Atlantic.
The United States of America has enacted the “Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA),” which aims to prevent any person from experiencing discrimination due to their limitations.
In the European Union, the regulation is directly implemented for aviation and there’s no overruling local law for each member state.
However, there is a precise definition in the United States of America known as the “Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA)” which outlines in detail what airports and airlines must do to limit discrimination.
Most Countries adhere to those two regulations, copied those basically.
Like all passengers, individuals with reduced mobility must go through security checks. This is of course necessary and appropriate. The security checks are often carried out by contracted personnel from the respective state’s federal police. In most cases, this task is not performed by the police or border control themselves. And this leads to many problems. The training of such personnel is often inadequate, particularly when it comes to dealing with limitations. Make sure to allocate more time here (we recommend 2.5 hours before departure at security) or find out if the respective airport has set up special security procedures for you.
Also, be prepared for interactions to be somewhat clumsy. For instance, a wheelchair will need to be examined separately. So, exercise patience.
Another point of complaint is the use of washrooms and toilets on airplanes and in airports. The current standard width of airplane toilets is 50 centimeters (for airplanes with a single aisle), which is significantly too small. Without the special, narrower airplane wheelchair and without external assistance, using the restroom on the plane is nearly impossible.
Furthermore, not every airline has this specialized wheelchair on board. The reason is straightforward and explains many of the limitations individuals with reduced mobility face: the associated costs.
However, airlines are required to provide such a wheelchair. Advance registration with the respective airline is necessary for this. In most cases, this should be done 48 hours before departure. Few airlines can respond promptly within 48 hours.
The one positive aspect is that airlines are not allowed to charge for this service.
Also, be prepared for interactions to be somewhat clumsy. For instance, a wheelchair will need to be examined separately. So, exercise patience.
Many flights, especially from smaller airports, do not take you directly to your desired destination. Therefore, connecting flights are common. Providing wheelchairs and other services always takes a little more time than what an able-bodied person would need.
It’s essential that connecting flights have enough time at the connecting airport. We recommend at least 90 minutes. This might sound like a lot initially, but if the first flight is already delayed by 45 minutes, your connecting time shrinks rapidly. Especially the summer with its high number of flights and the winter with its bad weather phases are almost a guarantee of flight delays.
If your airline allows you to choose your seat, it’s best to opt for an aisle seat. This makes you more mobile and makes it easier for flight attendants to accommodate your needs. The potential inconvenience for passengers next to you shouldn’t lead you to make the wrong choice. Flight attendants, provided you’ve informed them of your limitations, are aware of your situation and have dealt with similar scenarios before.
Being closer to the lavatories (restrooms) is advantageous. This information is often available through the airline’s seating plan, or you can familiarize yourself with the location of your seat in advance on platforms like SeatGuru.
All countries within the European Union have established complaint centers for individuals with disabilities. In Germany, the complaint center is managed by the Federal Aviation Office.
We strongly recommend using these resources. In our experience, individual complaints might not result in significant changes, yet they remain important.
When complaints accumulate, airlines and airports are compelled to actively seek solutions, and eventually, you might even receive compensation.
Ideally, you won’t have to travel alone but will have a trained individual, whether it’s your partner, friend, or a hired helper, by your side. Notify the airline of your limitations well in advance. At German airports, the German Red Cross or the Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund (Worker’s Samaritan Federation) are responsible for providing assistance and have personnel and equipment stationed at respective airports.
To better assess the assistance you require, there are abbreviations used as mobility codes. These codes are internationally recognized. For example, there are the following abbreviations:
These codes help airline staff quickly understand and provide appropriate assistance based on your specific needs.
Required medical equipment, such as a wheelchair, CPAP machine, or diabetes monitoring devices will not count toward your carry-on items.
Make sure to keep important documents such as your schedule, a doctor’s note if existing, emergency contacts, and any necessary medical information easily accessible in your carry-on. Pack medical alert information, and keep it with you. If you have an emergency, this information can become a literal lifesaver.
Minimize the stress at the airport by calculating enough time and including the transportation to and from the airport too. Get to the airport early – we emphasize 2.5 hours prior to departure for a Schengen flight and even earlier if you go abroad.
If you were in touch with your Airline prior, they will designate an employee to meet you when arriving or at check-in with a wheelchair, if you need one, and bring you through the security check.
If not, it’s preferable to make your first stop at the airline ticket counter. Here you can make or confirm that everything is set for you and where you meet your guide.
In case you carry any medical devices that you will not need at the airport, here’s your chance to let them check it in with your baggage easing your experience at the airport. All of this is provided free of charge and encourage you to use it.
You will be guided through Security by your personal Guide. However, this may take longer than for anyone else depending on the available airport equipment. There’s nothing to action at this point but it is important to make all arrangements with your airline in prior.
Your guide will bring you to the Gate at the right time. Some airports offer special lounges or even lounge access until it is time to board your plane.
Further, all carry-on items such as your wheelchair will get an internationally standardized tag and until you board the aircraft, you will sit in your own wheelchair. We therefore recommend you to bring your own wheelchair instead of using the airport wheelchair.
The boarding will start with families and with people with disabilities. It takes the most time and it is way more convenient for you to board first, not having everyone staring at you.
Properly trained staff will be available to help to board and exit the plane. While they have been trained on how to accommodate you, communication is key. Let them know what you want them to know.
At this point, your wheelchair will be replaced by an airline-owned wheelchair able to go into the narrow aisle of your aircraft. Your personal wheelchair will be brought into the cargo area of the plane.
The short answer is yes. However, each alternative comes with pros and cons and isn’t suitable for every case. Let’s go into the alternatives.
Certainly, Private Jets are very costly compared to an Economy Fare Flight Ticket with an Airline. However, there are cases where a Private Jet can make up its cost with the benefits a Private Jet is providing.
Not every Private Jet is suitable though, just as not every Airline is taking the right care. However, we can certainly assist you choosing the right Private Jet for your travels.
Ambulance Aircraft are typically repurposed Private Jets with special seating capacity. This can be extra wide seats or even beds if traveling is more convenient laying through the whole journey.
Further, a doctor’s service can be booked additionally if required, eliminating the need for a “Doctors Permission to Fly”.
The cost of renting an Ambulance Aircraft however has to be considered and is only worth it if the mentioned extra care is required. Usually, those Ambulance Aircraft come at a surplus compared to Private Jets.
This option may come as a surprise. However, a typical Passenger Aircraft alike an Airbus A320, Boeing 737 or even a Canadair Regional Jet, are less expensive than Private Jets on the same route and schedule. They still come with some limitations such as the narrow aisle, however, every detail can be organized upfront and it is especially worth consideration if there are more passengers traveling.
In addition to the items already noted above, airline crew members can help passengers with disabilities identify food items and open packages, but cannot actually feed passengers. If you need more assistance than can be provided by flight attendants, consider traveling with a companion who is able to better assist you.
If You Have a Physical Disability:
If You Have a Visual Impairment:
If You Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing:
If You Have a Neurological Impairment:
If You Have a Developmental Disability:
Whether you are personally dealing with a disability, whether it’s a temporary situation or a long-term condition, or if you’re accompanying someone who has a disability, the obstacles you encounter can be quite similar.
While there isn’t a single solution that fits all, accessible travel is now more feasible than ever before with careful preparation and the excellent suggestions mentioned earlier. Being well-prepared, understanding your rights, and maintaining effective communication are all essential aspects to ensure that you have a positive and enjoyable travel experience.
We invite you to call one of our experts for free to get further guidance or to reach out for questions. If you consider chartering your own plane, we are there for you too.
No matter the complexity or demands of the task, our operations team provides 24/7 flight support worldwide, catering to both passenger and cargo operations.
Tel: +49 40 228 97 144
Mail: [email protected]
The information you provide in this web form will be used to respond to your inquiry, using the contact details you have supplied. This information may be shared with members of our corporate group to facilitate this. Please also note our privacy policy.
No matter the complexity or demands of the task, our operations team provides 24/7 flight support worldwide, catering to both passenger and cargo operations.
Tel: +49 40 228 97 144
Mail: [email protected]
The information you provide in this web form will be used to respond to your inquiry, using the contact details you have supplied. This information may be shared with members of our corporate group to facilitate this. Please also note our privacy policy.