How to fly with your wheelchair is one of the questions we get asked most by people with disabilities or reduced mobility. In this article, we'll give you information that may be of interest, plus suggestions and tips for organising your trip if you're travelling with your Batec handbike.
- Booking your flight and requesting PRM Assistance
- Checking in
- Security
- Boarding
- In flight
- Disembarking
Booking your flight and requesting assistance for passengers with reduced mobility (PRM)
The most important things to know:
- You have to book your flight at least 48 hours ahead and request assistance with the same advance notice so that the airline will be aware of your special needs and have everything prepared for when you arrive at the airport.
- Someone from special assistance staff will pick you up at one of the PRM (passengers with reduced mobility) meeting points at the airport and help you from that point until you are settled in your seat on board.
- This service is free of charge.
- You must be at the meeting point at least 2 hours before the flight. Check the assistance conditions to make sure.
- Each airline has its own conditions for passengers with reduced mobility. Before travelling, check these conditions to make sure they suit your needs. Below you'll find the conditions for some frequently used low-cost airlines and regular airlines.
The right to assistance on board is established in Regulation (EC) 1107/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council, which went into force on 26 July 2008. This regulation establishes that passengers with reduced mobility have the right to assistance so they can travel by plane with their wheelchairs and any mobility aid product, such as a handbike.
When you fly with your wheelchair, make sure your travel insurance covers your mobility equipment. If your insurance policy doesn't mention it, you probably need additional coverage or will have to make a specific claim in case of loss or damage.
When checking in, you should know that:
- There is no extra cost for transporting your wheelchair and accessories.
- Each airline has its own conditions on the maximum weight, dimensions and type of battery allowed on board. If you have an electric wheelchair, it is important that you know what type of battery it uses.
- You must be at the check-in desk at least 2 hours before your flight leaves.
- For connecting flights, choose your combinations with a layover of at least an hour and a half.
- At the check-in desk, you will be given your boarding pass and can check in your wheelchair and luggage. Some airlines will ask you to put your wheelchair on the belt with your luggage and give you an airport wheelchair to take you to the boarding gate. Avoid this situation! Make sure you take your wheelchair to the departure gate to prevent any damages or chance of losing your chair.
As each company and trip is different, here is some information on special assistance for passengers with special needs for some of the main airlines:
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IMPORTANT: FLYING WITH A BATEC HANDBIKE Since spring 2016, the airlines have become stricter and are requiring all lithium batteries on board on commercial flights follow current IATA (International Air Transport Association) regulations to the letter. These regulations state that no batteries over 300 Wh can be taken on commercial flights. At Batec Mobility, we've designed a 280-Wh travel battery so you won't have problems flying. You can download the certificate showing that your battery is safe for air travel here. We recommend you take several copies. You will probably be asked for the certificate on your outbound and inbound flights.
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The security control process is the same for all passengers. Depending on your degree of disability or mobility, security may be more or less exhaustive, always respecting the dignity of passengers with reduced mobility.
- We recommend you take your wheelchair to the departure gate so it doesn't get damaged before that.
- If there isn't a jetway, there are adapted vans to take you to the plane.
- Your wheelchair goes in the hold. When you reach your departure gate, the airport staff will take it down by hand.
- Let them know that your wheelchair should be returned to you at the plane doors, not at the baggage carousel with the rest of the luggage.
- At the departure gate, you'll be transferred to a special aisle chair provided by the airport.
- Qualified staff will take you to your seat. Depending on the company, you will either board first or last.
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IMPORTANT: FLYING WITH A BATEC HANDBIKE If you're travelling with your Batec, take it with you to the departure gate. When it is time to take it to the hold, ask them to leave it attached to your wheelchair. Together they are a more stable, robust piece and less susceptible to damage than they would be separately. This also prevents any changes to the settings of the docking bar due to impacts. You should remove the battery and take it on board with you. If you have any accessories, such as the Smartphone holder or your EXCURSION rucksack, take them off and store them with your personal items. We recommend removing the battery key and keeping it with you to prevent any complications due to impacts. The PORTA luggage rack + EXCURSION rucksack are particularly helpful when travelling. You can put your battery and all the accessories for your Batec or wheelchair in the bag and take them on board your flight comfortably.
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We recommend letting some air out of your anti-bedsore cushion so you don't have problems with pressure changes. Make sure you have the pump handy so you can re-inflate it when you land.
In general, airplane toilets aren't adapted. With most airlines, staff is not authorised to take you to the toilet, although this depends on the company. For intercontinental flights, it is best to ask the company directly. If it is a long flight and you won't be able to use the toilet while on board, one option is a catheter. You can have it put in at the hospital before leaving and go to another hospital at your destination to have it removed. If you think you could handle it, you can also learn to do it yourself.
When you get off the plane, your wheelchair will be waiting for you with your assigned special assistance staff member. They will help you with your luggage, getting through security and take you to the airport exit.
We hope this information is useful for preparing for your trip by plane in your wheelchair!