You’ve decided it’s time for a vacation. You’ve chosen your destination and the dates you want to travel. Now it’s time to book your flight.
What to keep in mind for wheelchair users booking a flight:
1. Allow Plenty of Time – If getting to your destination requires you to switch airplanes, wheelchair traveler Mark Chilutti recommends allowing at least 90 minutes between your connecting flights. “If you are in a wheelchair,” shares Mark, “you are the first one on the plane and the last one off the plane.”
2. Communicate with the Airline – If you book your flight online, be sure to include that you will need assistance getting on and off the plane. It’s also a good idea to follow up with a phone call to the airline to make sure the have documented your need for assistance.
3. Choose Your Seat Wisely – During your follow up phone call to the airline, discuss seating options. You may want to also follow Mark’s advice: “Often the airline will offer the first row in coach (also known as the “bulkhead row”), but I try to avoid it whenever possible. The armrests in those seats do not lift up, and it would require two people to lift me into my seat. I prefer to sit in the 2nd or 3rd row because the armrests on those chairs will lift up, making it very easy for me to transfer over to the seat.”