1) Advance booking and EU law: If you’re going to need assistance at the airport, it’s always best to let the airline know well in advance. Care for disabled passengers in the main falls under the jurisdiction of the airport, for which they include in the charges to the airline. What is provided is transport from the check-in area to the aircraft itself – the proviso being that you can make it to the airport yourself.
Most airports now are disabled-friendly with lifts and step-free access but this may not be the case for all airports, particularly the older ones and smaller ones which may not offer this facility; many were designed for use with airbridges (a connection directly from the aircraft to terminal). However, with this removed, it may be the case that some may just not have carried out the adaptations, with the requirements that passengers have to decend stairs to get down to ground level.
The main reason for booking in advance is personnel. Especially at smaller airports, the range of staff may be limited to just check-in agents and flight despatchers whose time is almost solely dedicated to their jobs. Larger airports will have a full-time section catering to the needs of disabled passengers. By allowing advance notice for your arrival, people will be better prepared to help you; providing no notice may mean a considerable wait and whilst the flight should wait for you, it’s better to have this squared away.
2) Boarding: With an airline that features allocated seating, this takes away the hassle of getting a seat on the aircraft, however, with free seating, expect to be boarded last as this offers a quicker turnaround for the airline. If your disability is such that you might need extra space, it should be possible to arrange a seat but it may be prudent that if you are travelling with someone, for them to arrange priority boarding and then to save you a seat. Again, informing the airline in advance is the best way to minimise the chances of a problem later on.
3) On board: Under EU law, you can expect only basic services on-board, which includes getting you on-board the aircraft. Many low-cost airlines don’t have wheelchairs on board (which requires the wheelchair to be deposited in the hold) – with this being free of charge – Easyjet allow 2 pieces of mobility equipment. This is understandable, as there is very little space on-board the standard aircraft for a wheelchair to be situated without causing some form of safety requirement. Talking about safety, although the emergency exit rows offer the best leg room, anyone who cannot operate the exit doors is not allowed to sit in those seats. Expect services such as storing hand luggage, assistance with seating and opening of food packages to be met.
4) Toilets: With space at a premium in aircraft cabins, many toilet facilities on board are not designed with this in mind. Services such as lifting/help, administering medicine or childcare are not likely to be met on low-cost airlines – full service airlines should be more accomodating. The main configuration on aircraft such as the Boeing 737-800 is there are two toilets to the rear and one to the front. If you are going to need the toilet during the flight, it is better to sit towards the back. The reasons being obvious: there are two toilets, so less chance of queueing, and the front toilet can be ‘off-limits’ – the area around the cockpit is closed in-flight whenever the cockpit door is open. This happens surprisingly regularly, for example if a pilot uses the toilet, or cabin crew deliver a drink to the cockpit. Should this happen, there is a long walk to the back of the cabin, and with trolleys or other passengers coming the opposite way, there is not much passing room.
5) Scope: Laws govern the service standards pertaining to EU countries only. Outside of this, there may be different rules or procedures (or none at all). So if travelling outside the EU, it’s always better to check what assistance the airline or airport will offer beforehand.
Related posts:
