Travelling by aircraft seems a daunting experience for anyone Disabled in a wheelchair or not, but in reality, it isn’t it can be a seamless experience as you are helped every step of the way, (that’s not meant as a pun).
I worked for British Airways for 26 years, as such travelled to many parts of the World. In fact, in 1988 I travelled twice around the World, some 48,000 miles in 5 days on aircraft, sponsored for Charity. Not something I would recommend but shows you it is possible.
Stick to these guidelines and you will really enjoy the experience. First on booking your flight tell them you would like assistance from check-in to the gate. This could be a wheelchair with someone pushing or a lift on a Golf type buggy. The gate could be over one mile away so don’t think you’re doing any favour’s by not asking for help. The aircraft has a certain slot for taking off if you are late because of walking difficulties, THE AIRCRAFT HAS TO GO without you, otherwise, it costs mega bucks.
If you have problems walking down the aisle when you get aircraft side, no problem, quite a few aircraft (over three-hour flight) now have small wheelchairs especially to take people up and down the aisle. If you can’t walk whatsoever, no problem, tell them and facilities will be put in place from check-in to take you to the aircraft by ambulance, high lift you to the aircraft and trained medical staff to lift you in the seat. The golden rule here is ‘tell them.’
With some airlines, you can pre-book your seat. If so get one that has more leg room and near the toilets, probably a bulkhead seat. The Civil Aviation Authority has made a ruling that no Disabled person can have a seat by an Emergency Exit for obvious reasons.
If for some reason you get to your destination and your wheelchair is missing or worse still damaged it is the airlines, or should I say good airlines signed up to something called the Haig Protocol to restore or repair your chair, see the airlines staff.
I remember I went to San Diego from Gatwick once and they left my chair behind. I was in a rush had to go down to Tijuana and the only one they had to loan me had a large sign above my head saying ‘AVIS Rent a Car.’ The times I was stopped in my Hotel by people saying “hey fella, where can I get a car.”
Have a good time, don’t worry as far as flying is concerned you will be looked after.
As Mrs H says North Americans are really nice; helpful people; except the ones who voted for Trump. I don’t know what NYC is like now; I went many moons ago when they had helicopters from JFK to the city; don’t anymore.
George