Travelling With A Wheelchair
 

Could somebody on here please advise me of the protocol for the above?

I plan to accompany someone with a mobility issue from Scotland to Pakistan, which obviously will involve a transfer. Carrier unknown as yet but probably one of the Gulf carriers or PIA.

This person doesn't normally use a chair but is limited to maybe 100 metres walking max. If we take a chair, will we be allowed to take it into the cabin? Or are you normally obliged to check it in?

If so we'll be at the mercy of airport services to get us transferred and to and from the aircraft either end. Do airports normally provide this as a free service or does it vary?

Might it recommend a particular route?

Thanks in advance

Cooch

At EU/EFTA airports it is the airport that is responsible for assisting passengers with reduced mobility (PRMs). So in Scotland and any connecting point in the EU it really doesn't matter who you travel with. Despite this it is the airline you must notify that you require assistance. It is best to do so at time of booking, there is no reason to do it any later.

For assistance at other transfer points, and in particular in Pakistan on your return, it is the airline that is responsible. Check their web sites carefully to understand what they can and cannot do.

In the EU the airport must provide assistance if requested, there is no test or qualification.

From personal experience, with an elderly relative, I would avoid Gatwick.

Many thanks for that XB.

I imagined we would probably fly Qatar or Emirates but you just gave me a good reason to consider a European carrier.

I imagine not many fly to Lahore however.

Turkish is the other main player on this routing, does anyone have any experience of transitting Istanbul/Doha/Dubai?

Cheers

Cooch

If it is a conventional wheelchair you won't be permitted to take it in the cabin as it will be too large, however you can use it to get to the gate, where it will be stowed in the hold for the journey, and should be brought to the aircraft door for you to disembark. There are fold up wheelchairs that will go in the overhead locker, they fold down to a size like those camping style chairs, my mum had one when she broke her leg, I think she got it from one of the newspaper sales outfits.

As others have said, in the EU assistance is provided free of charge by the airport, outside of the EU other rules would apply, but plenty of people regularly travel to Pakistan that require assistance, so I shouldn't imagine it would be an issue at all.

With regard to who to travel with, ME carriers are about the most popular nowadays to that region, PIA would mean getting to MAN or LHR but at least then you are direct, Turkish have become a very big airline recently and seem to have won a lot of fans, all I can say is that I wouldn't choose them, their recent safety record has been poor to say the least. If it were me I would use a ME carrier.

Alternatively, check the chair in and have a courtesy chair and pusher at the airports. Again, requested when making booking.

Mobility Scooter
 

Just thinking about taking a mobility scooter on a package holiday. The problem seems to be the transfer to the resort as the coaches won't take a scooter or a wheelchair. Taxi or adapted vehicle could be expensive especially if it is a long transfer.
Anyone here had experience of this problem?

Have the package deal holiday agents specifically said you can't take one? That seems oddly discriminatory. I imagine they would be forced by law (especially in the USA or EU) to be in a position to provide service to anyone who requires assistance. I find it hard to beleive a mobility scooter, which fits into most aircraft holds, would not fit into the large space found under most coaches. If the travel agency cannot provide a space on their coach (which you're paying for as part of the package deal) then they should find an alternative for you, surely? That would mean them covering the cost of an adapted vehicle to get you to/from the hotel. Excursions while in the resort, fair enough, you could see why they may not be able to accommodate such a device as they may use smaller coaches or busses, but to/from the airport I would expect them to be able to transport everyone and anyone within reason, which a mobility scooter absolutely is. People travel by air with those every single day.

Having recently sampled Qantas, Singapore, Thai Smile, Cathy Pacific, Jet Airlines & Thai I can not seriously fault any of them. However the service provided by the airports we passed through varied. Mostly good especially in Mumbai and downright disgraceful in T3 at Heathrow and not much better in T2 or T4. Airports involved were Kalgoorlie, Perth domestic and international, Singapore, Bangkok (Bkk), Hat Yai, Hong Kong, Heathrow and Mumbai.

The excess baggage charges if you carried a mobility scooter would be astronomical. Or do you imagine they'd carry it foc? I rather doubt it, they'd say bring a chair instead.

Major safety problems with carrying the battery (which is serious Dangerous Goods)) too. This may not be easy to resolve. Electric wheelchairs are a real pita to carry for this reason.

Rent one at destination would be my suggestion but ask the airline first.

They are carried free of charge. Battery must be disconnected or immobilized in a different way. most battery types are allowed. Contact your airline before travel and let them know what your requirements are. Some ie ryan air limit the number of disabled pax they will take.

As of to the holiday companies a lot of the buses are not suitable for disabled pax. and how will the electric wheelchair be loaded on the bus some weigh over 100kg one bus driver can not lift that on.

I believe the ruling is reasonable adaptations for disabled people.

Most airports and airlines are very good and will do everything they can to help. (worst were MAD did not seam to know what to do and LTN were the staff were putting their hands out for tips best TLV and BHX)

And before I get attacked my wife is in a wheelchair

Your information is wholly inaccurate -

Mobility scooters don't attract excess baggage charges, they are transported free of charge.

Mobility scooters of all varieties can be carried easily and safely, there are procedures in place for the variety of different types of batteries/chairs.

The most important thing is that you communicate with your airline with regards to the type of chair and battery that is involved so that they can be prepared and have arranged the necessary assistance.