United is pleased to provide transportation to customers who may need additional assistance. We maintain a strong relationship with multiple disability organizations throughout the country. We also have an Accessible Travel Advisory Board made up of individuals with various disabilities.
The board meets regularly to discuss issues involving air travel and accessibility and offers suggestions and advice to improve our service. The group’s mission is to make sure that United will continue to offer clean, safe, reliable and accessible transportation for all customers, including those with disabilities.
At United, we want to make sure that our customers with disabilities have equal access to our facilities and services. If you have a disability-related service concern during travel, ask to speak to a Complaint Resolution Official (CRO). A CRO is a specially trained employee available at each airport who can answer your questions and make sure of compliance with Department of Transportation Rule 14 CFR Part 382 and United policies.
How do I request a wheelchair with United?
Requesting wheelchair services If you need a wheelchair during your journey, either onboard your flight or at the airport, and you’ve already purchased your ticket you can request one ahead of time in My Trips. You can also do this in the traveler information section when you book.
Can I ask for special assistance at the airport?
Assistance points – When you arrive at the airport you should go to as assistance point. This can be inside or outside of the terminal. Assistance points will usually have some type of disability related logo, and include a buzzer or telephone to enable you to call for assistance should they not be staffed at that time.
Airports must locate assistance points at various places in the airport boundary and this may include drop off points, car parks, train stations and bus terminals. If you park at a medium/long term car park you will usually need to make your own way to the terminal using the airport’s bus service. In the UK these vehicles are generally accessible, in terms of having a ramp, so that people in wheelchairs can board.
If you need extra help at in the airport, including during security searches, airport special assistance desks can provide identification (lanyards, badges etc.) to people with hidden disabilities. These are optional, There should be signs in the airport to where the “special assistance” help desk is.
Do I need to book a wheelchair assistance at the airport?
When should I ask? – You should ask for assistance either when you book or at least 48 hours before travel, whether it is through a travel agent, tour operator or airline. This information will then be passed to the airport and the service provider. If you don’t give advance notice you could experience delays and may not receive the service that you need.
Do airlines charge extra for wheelchair assistance?
Do You Have to Pay to Take a Wheelchair on the Plane? – No, airlines are required to accept wheelchairs on their flights for free. If your wheelchair is not compatible with the particular plane you’re getting on; the airline will likely give you a wheelchair for free to use.
Who gets special assistance at airport?
What is a special assistance? – This is the assistance that the airport employee provides to the passenger. Disabled persons with reduced mobility may use this service. Depending on the needs of the passenger, the employee can help him in the check-in process and when boarding the plane.
Thanks to the presence of an airport employee, people with hearing, visual, psychological or physical disabilities can easily go through the entire preparation process and safely board the plane. If necessary, the passenger is equipped with a wheelchair or other vehicle. Special assistance is also provided after the flight – an airport employee can help you get off the plane and aid with the baggage collecting process and security procedures.
Some airports and airlines have special rooms for people with disabilities in their offer.
Do airlines offer assistance for elderly?
Personal Flight Assistance For the Elderly – While all these services offer advantages, there are some things that airports and airlines will not do. The biggest issue is with extensive personal assistance during the flight itself. While staff will give senior travelers as much assistance as they can, they are not required to focus only on an elderly passenger and must meet the needs of a plane full of people.
- How Do You Book Medical Travel? This extends to such issues as managing your medication during the trip and handling any in-flight medical needs.
- The solution is to have a family member or close friend fly with you.
- If that’s not possible, a flight nurse working with a medical transport service that specializes in traveling with elderly passengers can help.
They will manage medications and handle any medical issues that might arise during the trip. A Flight Coordinator handles booking travel and making all the arrangements for the trip including at the airport for flight assistance for the elderly. By offering travel assistance for seniors, airlines and airports make it much easier for the elderly to travel safely and in as much comfort as possible.
Can disabled people skip airport queues?
Accessibility – Passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility are legally entitled to support, commonly known as ‘Special Assistance’ when travelling by air. Support can be requested at the time of booking, or during check-in. Generally, it’s best to make special requests as early as possible.
Reserve a wheelchair or buggy Airports can be huge and the long distances between check-in, gates, and security can be tiring for travellers. A lot of people don’t know that it’s free to rent a wheelchair in airports, to help you get to your gate in comfort. You can usually reserve these in advance by contacting your airline, although most airports have plenty available anyway.
Elderly flyers who have trouble walking but don’t need wheelchairs can ask about electric buggies, for a lift to their departure gate. Skip the queues If you have a disability, you can ask to skip the queue at security as part of your Special Assistance.
Alternatively, you can pay a small fee to use priority or ‘fast track’ security lanes at many airports. It’s often cheaper to book this in advance by contacting the airport. Hidden disability lanyards Not all disabilities are visible. Most major UK airports, including both Gatwick and Heathrow, have introduced a hidden disabilities lanyard scheme,
These can be worn to show airport staff that the wearer has a disability that may not be immediately obvious, so that staff can provide any assistance necessary. You can request these lanyards in advance and receive them in the post, or you can get one from the assistance desks in the airport.
What is mobility assistance at airport?
Wheelchair Assistance. We have wheelchairs available for use at all airport locations to assist with transportation from check-in to the boarding gate, making connections (if applicable) and from the aircraft to the arrivals hall at the destination. However, this depends upon the availability of wheelchairs on flight.
How do wheelchair users get on a plane?
How to fly with a disability
Over 200 million people flew in and out of the UK last year, with more than half of Brits travelling by air at some point. But only 36 per cent of people with a disability took a flight in 2018, indicating there are when it comes to flying.UK charity Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People (QEF) is looking to shake-up those stats, releasing a video with the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) covering everything from booking to disembarking flights, as well as letting disabled travellers try out seating and transfer equipment in a realistic aircraft setting ahead of travel as part of its Tryb4uFly scheme.Here, QEF’s accessible aviation expert Graham Race shares his top tips on flying with a disability with The Independent,
If you’re unsure about whether you’ll be fit to fly, the first thing to do is to speak with your GP or consultant. Airlines will want to ensure that your condition is stable and may ask questions when you book. There may also be advice available from charities or organisations that specialise in working with people with your condition.
- Timbuktu, Mali: In the last light of day the inhabitants of Timbuktu wash their clothes and take a shower in the port of Kabara.
- Stefano Pensotti/www.tpoty.com Budapest, Hungary: Széchenyi Baths, built in 1913, is the most popular the inhabitants of Budapest who come here to relax with friends.
- Stefano Pensotti/www.tpoty.com Chefchaouen, Morocco: Perfect newly picked oranges were everywhere in Chefchaouen, Morocco.
Isabella Smith/www.tpoty.com Kollam, Kerala, India: On my summer holidays in India our neighbour’s 30+ year old Mango tree was cut down. It was a sad sight to watch as this was a fruit yielding tree, home to many birds and a lot of shade under it on a hot sunny day.
Daniel Kurian/www.tpoty.com Lake Louise, Banff, Canada: When I first went to Lake Louise, I thought everything was beautiful not just the lake or the mountains but all of the little details. Tevin Kim/www.tpoty.com Thanarghat, Sadar, Bangladesh: The river was little bit dried up; thus, the sandy base was seen.
These little girls lived on the other side of the river and they were playing in the shallow water while waiting for their mother. Fardin Oyan/www.tpoty.com Chamonix, Mont Blanc, Switzerland: A few climbers descended down to the base of Mont Blanc. Katherine Kosmicki/www.tpoty.com Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: In Tanzania, when you have albinism, you are thought to be evil.
There is even a price on the head of children with albinism since killing a person with albinism is considered to bring good luck. Marinka Masséus/www.tpoty.com Guatemala, Santa Lucía Utatlán: Mayan woman from Santa Lucía Utatlán, Guatemala. The designs from this region incorporate colourful geometric patterns and bird motifs.
Tom Law/www.tpoty.com Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo: Elie, 45, struts his stuff in the streets of Brazzaville. He has been a Sapeur for 35 years and his elaborate outfits bring joy to himself and his community. Tariq Zaidi/www.tpoty.com Shaanxi, China: Endangered gold: The Qinling golden snub-nosed monkey is listed as Endangered by the IUCN as only some 3,800 individuals still exist.
- Most people have never seen these creatures.
- Marsel Van Oosten/www.tpoty.com Mantadia National Park, Madagascar: Chameleon colours.
- Ignacio Palacios/www.tpoty.com Svalbard, Norway: A mother Polar bear and her two young cubs are migrating north, as the sea ice melts quicker than previous years.
- Roie Galitz/www.tpoty.com Amritsar, India: A Sikh pilgrim performs his ritual washing in the lake with the most famous place of worship for the Sikhs in the background.
Matjaz Krivic/www.tpoty.com Rio Lagartos, Yucatan, Mexico: Colours of the World: Pink – Las Coloradas’. On the northern coast of Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula are the magical pink lakes of Las Coloradas. The area is actually a private salt mine adjacent to the Rio Lagartos biosphere.
- Daniel Burton/www.tpoty.com Niger River, Mali, West Africa: Sand divers freedive down to the bottom of the Niger river to collect sand for the building industry.
- It’s an extremely dangerous job from which many don’t return.
- Philip Lee/www.tpoty.com A good tip for travellers with autism is to visit the airport before travelling and check the resources that airports provide.
A journey by coach or train before travelling by air might be a good way to assess your needs or your travelling partner’s needs, especially when preparing for a first flight. A strategy to soothe, relax, or distract from the journey, and a plan for the flight being delayed, are also good ideas.
Whether you book directly with the airline or via a travel agent, it’s your responsibility to let the airline know about your assistance requirements. This is usually done after the flight has been booked but must be completed 48 hours before your flight. You can take a manual or battery powered wheelchair or scooter, but it’s important to let the airline know its make and model, weight and dimensions so that they can ensure it’s safe in transit and will fit into the aircraft hold.
If it’s powered it is essential to know how to deactivate the power. It can be worth knowing how to fold it down too, so reacquaint yourself with the process – The Independent reported in September 2018 on a case where a after they were asked to disembark a Ryanair flight because staff couldn’t fold down his wheelchair.
If taking over 100ml of liquid medication or food, you’ll need a doctor’s letter. It’s also advisable to take a doctor’s letter if you have any medical or surgical implants. If you need oxygen always check with your airline in advance. You should also double check the legality of any medication in the country you’re travelling to.
Don’t get caught out like, a shop worker from Hull who recently finished serving just over a year in prison for a drugs conviction after flying to Hurghada, Egypt, with 290 tramadol painkillers in her luggage. She said she was taking them in for her partner, who suffers from chronic pain following a car accident.
It’s a good idea to speak with specialist insurers that are familiar with issues disabled people may face. Unfortunately, equipment can get damaged, and airlines will have limits on the amount that they will reimburse under their standard terms and conditions, so cover for this is particularly important.
You have the right to assistance from the time you arrive at the airport. You can request this from call points to help you make your way to the special assistance reception. From there your assistance needs will be checked for your onward journey, including support with luggage and boarding.
- You can remain in your wheelchair, if you use one, during security checks.
- A swab may be taken from your clothing or wheelchair to check that you are not carrying anything unauthorised.
- You may be asked to have a pat down check, so inform the security staff of anything they should be aware of, for example medical devices under your clothing such as insulin pumps.
You can ask for the check to be performed away from the queue of other passengers. The distance between the departure lounge and the boarding gate can be a long way, so assistance at this stage can be invaluable. When you get to the plane, there are several ways to board, so you should ask about what arrangements are in place for you.
- The airport assistance team should continue to help you until you’re transferred into your seat.
- To board the aircraft, wheelchair users will have to come out of their wheelchair into a transfer chair that can be manoeuvred down the aisle, and from there transferred into a seat.
- It’s a good idea to speak to your continence advisor in advance to make plans for your personal comfort during your flight.
Cabin crew may be able to assist you getting to the aircraft toilet door if there is a narrow aisle chair on board, but to use this you will need to be able to self-transfer out of your seat. Cabin crew cannot accompany you inside the toilet. If you use a wheelchair, remind the cabin crew before the aircraft begins its descent that you require your wheelchair immediately after you exit the aircraft.
Can you self refer to wheelchair services?
If a service user meets the NHS eligibility criteria, they can be referred into the wheelchair service by a qualified health professional. In some wheelchair services, service users can self-refer. All existing service users can re-refer. A wheelchair assessment establishes clinical need.
The assessment will take place either at one of our state-of-the-art service centres, or another appropriate location; i.e. home, work, school or a health care setting. Wheelchairs are either handed over at clinic, home or other appropriate location. A wheelchair passport provides a service user with the key facts about their wheelchair.
Handover includes driving training, and correct and safe use of the wheelchair. It’s easy to request a repair either by phone or online. A repair can be requested 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. A service user can request a review at any time. Alternatively, a pre-agreed review will be carried out by the wheelchair service to make sure that the wheelchair still meets their clinical need.
Wheelchairs that are no longer required can be collected free of charge. Contact your local wheelchair service to arrange a collection. All collected wheelchairs are reviewed and, wherever possible, can be refurbished to an as-new condition. This saves vital NHS funds compared to buying a new wheelchair.
Once safely refurbished, wheelchairs can be issued to those who need them the most. In this way, wheelchairs can be issued from stock, without waiting for a delivery from a supplier. Take an interactive tour of one of our service centres
Can you self refer to wheelchair services?
If a service user meets the NHS eligibility criteria, they can be referred into the wheelchair service by a qualified health professional. In some wheelchair services, service users can self-refer. All existing service users can re-refer. A wheelchair assessment establishes clinical need.
The assessment will take place either at one of our state-of-the-art service centres, or another appropriate location; i.e. home, work, school or a health care setting. Wheelchairs are either handed over at clinic, home or other appropriate location. A wheelchair passport provides a service user with the key facts about their wheelchair.
Handover includes driving training, and correct and safe use of the wheelchair. It’s easy to request a repair either by phone or online. A repair can be requested 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. A service user can request a review at any time. Alternatively, a pre-agreed review will be carried out by the wheelchair service to make sure that the wheelchair still meets their clinical need.
- Wheelchairs that are no longer required can be collected free of charge.
- Contact your local wheelchair service to arrange a collection.
- All collected wheelchairs are reviewed and, wherever possible, can be refurbished to an as-new condition.
- This saves vital NHS funds compared to buying a new wheelchair.
Once safely refurbished, wheelchairs can be issued to those who need them the most. In this way, wheelchairs can be issued from stock, without waiting for a delivery from a supplier. Take an interactive tour of one of our service centres
Do airlines charge extra for wheelchair assistance?
Do You Have to Pay to Take a Wheelchair on the Plane? – No, airlines are required to accept wheelchairs on their flights for free. If your wheelchair is not compatible with the particular plane you’re getting on; the airline will likely give you a wheelchair for free to use.
Do airlines charge for wheelchairs?
Tips For Traveling With Your Wheelchair And Other Assistive Devices – Before Your Trip
Confirm with airline that your wheelchair will fit in cargo hold if you are traveling on a small plane, like a commuter aircraft or a regional jet.Attach clear assembly and disassembly instructions to your wheelchair before you head to the airport. Having written instructions will assist airline personnel and contractors in case your wheelchair needs to be disassembled for transport.
At the Airport
If you travel with a battery-powered wheelchair, you must arrive at the airport 1 hour prior to the normal check-in time.If your wheelchair or walker cannot be carried in the cabin, you can check it. If you have a wheelchair or walker, you do not need to check them until you are at the gate.You can request that your wheelchair or walker be returned to you on the jet way at your destination airport and not the baggage claim area. Airlines are required to return wheelchairs to users as closely as possible to the door of the aircraft if requested.Upon receiving your wheelchair, do a quick inspection before you use it. If there is any damage go immediately to the airline’s customer service and file a claim.
If Something Goes Wrong
On domestic flights, U.S. carriers must fully compensate passengers for loss or damage to wheelchairs or other assistive devices, without regard to rules limiting liability for lost or damaged baggage.On international flights, the Montreal convention provisions control payments for items including assistive devices. If you believe your rights have been violated and the airline employee you find at first is unable to help you, ask to speak with a Complaints Resolution Official (CRO). A CRO is the airline’s expert on disability accommodation issues. Airlines are required to make one available to you, at no cost, in person at the airport or by telephone during the times they are operating.
