Accessibility in flights and airports
First steps to prepare your trip
FUNDAMENTAL : How is our health?
Before traveling, of course, we must obtain authorization from our primary care physician.
If necessary, complete a MEDIF form if the airline requests it.
Let’s clarify that we must differentiate between illness and disability in this case: People with disabilities of any kind DO NOT NEED ANY AUTHORIZATION TO TRAVEL.
The form is requested from those who suffer from any illness (whether or not they have a disability) where the flight could cause some type of inconvenience. The form is used to inform the airline of the passenger’s potential health needs.
What IS MANDATORY is to inform the airline (at least 48 hours before the flight, preferably one week before) of any special needs and requests:
wheelchair for transportation, oxygen, space on board for medical equipment, special diets, etc.
Choosing the best flight options
One of the biggest obstacles making us rethink this adventure is the total travel time.
From the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom (Europe in general), we have many direct, nonstop flights. But some can take many hours.
For example, from the US East Coast, it will take about 6 hours to get to Orlando.
traveling with a wheelchair
Some airlines allow manual wheelchairs on board, depending on their size. In this case, you can board directly in your wheelchair, and the staff will store it on board without you having to check it in at the check-in counter.
Electric wheelchairs or larger wheelchairs (and on some airlines, all wheelchairs) must be carried in the cargo hold.
Electric wheelchairs must have called “dry-cell batteries” (mandatory).
Under no circumstances do wheelchairs count as additional baggage, and their transport is free of charge.
If you need to send your wheelchair with your baggage, you will need to request the airline to arrange for it to be transported to the gate. This request must be made at least 48 hours in advance (preferably a week in advance).
Access to the planes
For travelers with reduced mobility, it is important to check that the departure, arrival, and connecting airports have access ramps, mobile elevators, or even special electric chairs for climbing stairs.
Verifying this should be an obligation of the airline, who would be obliged to ensure that the airport facilities and services they have are accessible.
But each airport and airline has its own requirements and restrictions. It’s important to inform us promptly to avoid surprises and prevent staff errors at the airport or on the flight.
How to board with a wheelchair
The airline will allow us to board with priority before the rest of the passengers so we can complete the entire transfer process to a narrower seat, making it easier to enter the plane and navigate its narrow aisles.
This process is not very complicated, and the onboard staff has been specially trained to carry it out.
Accessible lavatories on board
Not all planes have accessible lavatories for people with reduced mobility.
Check with the airline which flights/aircraft types have them. Newer planes, especially large ones, already have at least one accessible lavatory.
Currently, all aircraft must (or “should”) carry a wheelchair on board to transfer wheelchair users through narrow aisles. Likewise, transferring from the seat to the lavatory can be cumbersome.
But be careful… It’s not a matter of not drinking or eating anything during the trip!
Controlling the amount of fluids you drink isn’t possible on long-haul flights.
Plan your trip and consider other options, such as using adult diapers or catheterization (not for everyone).
For people with reduced vision, the accessible restrooms themselves have Braille indications.
If the plane only has communal restrooms, the problem would not be serious, as any difficulties could be resolved with the help of a family member or the onboard staff.
Some people with cognitive impairments need assistance using the toilet..
In that case, accessible sinks are ideal because of their extra space, allowing us to enter the bathroom together. It'll be a bit complicated in regular sinks, but we can still help them.
Changing Places at Airports
Complet Accessible restrooms
Many airports have begun implementing these accessible restrooms, which include stretchers, lifting pulley systems, and other necessary accessories for people with more severe mobility disabilities and for easier hygiene and refreshment.
We can find them frequently at airports in the USA and Canada, but in the rest of the country, we’ll have to wait a little longer for this level of inclusion.
