Do you wish to travel to your dream destination but are holding yourself back because you are a wheelchair user? Then, don’t. Nothing should restrict you from travelling to your favourite destination even if you are in a wheelchair. The travel companies ensure that everyone gets to travel abroad or to local cities without facing difficulty. And therefore, they also provide wheelchair access to the needy and also permit pre-existing wheelchair users to board a flight. So, wheelchair users, rejoice! You can now go to and fro your preferred tourist spot without any worries. Pack your bags if you want to go to Manali, Goa, Mumbai or any other place and get yourself a flight ticket booking done. Now read along to know more about how you can ease your travel and keep the other information in mind. Good luck.
General tips that you should adhere to before booking a flight
Tip 1– While booking travel tickets, book the aisle seat near the exit gate. This will help you get off the plane easily once you arrive at your destination. Also, if you take the aisle seat, you won’t face any hassle which you would otherwise face while moving from the window seat to the front gate.
Tip 2 – Try to book direct flights to avoid any problem with exiting the plane twice. Direct flight travel is easier and not only will you reach faster but will also not face much inconvenience that is generally caused by frequent boarding off the plane.
Tip 3 – Keep a picture of your equipment always with you so that if an unwanted situation occurs and the equipment gets damaged from conflicts or other reasons, you will have proof to show that your equipment was fine before.
Tip 4 – While booking the tickets, ensure that you have the batteries, model type details and other associated documents that you might have to show up at the airport.
Preparations you need to take before heading off for the flight journey
There are certain preparations that you need to make before starting your flight journey. In case you are wondering, don’t worry, we have a list that you can follow to make your preparations right for the pre-flight journey.
- The first most important step is to call the airport and verify whether the wheelchair accessibility option is available and confirm your reservations. You may also ask other queries if you have any.
- Once done, check in to the travel website app and get related information regarding your flight. You can download the free apps and use them before your flight journey. It is quite easy and convenient to use. If you book your tickets from the acclaimed travel website, Intermiles, you can download the app and get notifications and updates regarding your flight ticket in real-time.
- Although you can come to the airport 1-2 hours before the flight, it is better if you come earlier as the entire process might take longer than expected, since there are additional security check-ups and model checks that need to be done. Also, there is no harm in arriving early. Is there?
- During the checkups, you might be asked to check the power of the wheelchair and other things related to the devices. At this point, once their questions are answered, you can ask yours and call for assistance if you need it.
- As soon as you reach the gate, you will be asked to leave your personal chair and will be provided with an aisle-sized wheelchair for the journey. Do not forget to remove the joystick or any other sensitive electronic and put your power wheelchair in free-wheel mode before you make the switch. This is an important step and therefore, you cannot afford to miss this out.
In-flight toiletries option
This is another important thing that you should ask before booking the flight. While asking for the accessibility options, ask them about the bathroom facilities. Generally, some airlines help you to transport to the bathroom if you make an aisle wheelchair booking. However, you need to confirm once before booking the flight so that you don’t face any difficulty during the trip. Some wheelchair users also use adult incontinence or catheter products to overcome the issue. You can also do the same for your convenience. However, if you are taking short flights, you might not come across this situation on board.
We do downright agree, there is a lot to do when it comes to travelling with disabilities. But with the right planning and preparation, this can be as easy as other travel. Trust me, the whole process can seem like a lot, but it won’t cause you much difficulty if you follow these steps right. So, what are you waiting for? Abide by these steps and information and have a splendid flying experience. And remember, never let your disability rule your desire.
