Hi there, I would like to know if anyone confined to a wheelchair has ever flown?
Hi there Emma,
welcome to our happy forum…
TBH I’ve never been able get my wheelchair off the ground…
but that’s not really what you want to know.
When I had partial mobility my power chair used to be packed into the hold and I was able to negotiate the plane isle. Now I’m totally wheelchair bound and with the advent of Covid it has introduced a new set of variables to be considered.
Gosh I’m waiting to hear what others have to say, when I still had partial mobility it was ok, now I’m fully wheelchair bound I don’t know so…
Jean
From British Airways.
Service 3
- Full level service to and from the aircraft.
- Use of a specialist aisle chair and transfer to your seat during boarding and disembarkation along with the use of an on-board aisle chair during the flight to move around the cabin.
Please note: During the flight our cabin crew are unable to assist you onto the on-board aisle chair. If you do not possess enough upper body strength to move between your seat and the chair, then you will need to travel with a safety assistant. This on-board wheelchair service will not be offered by third party airlines who are operating flights on behalf of British Airways. You can find out which airline is operating your flight via Manage My Booking. If this affects you, you can move your flight free of charge to an alternative British Airways-operated service, subject to availability.
What assistance is available? | Disability assistance | British Airways
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Thank you so much for your feedback… particularly to Whammel who provided the superb link to British Airways. I can confirm that we can fly! However, this is only provided by British Airways and available from Gatwick, Heathrow and possibly Manchester airports. By prior arrangement with the team, (08100 408 1100).
BA utilise a team called Wilson James who provide the hoists called Eagle one and two or three to transfer us from our wheelchairs as described below:
“The Eagle 1 is a modified hospital hoist for use with Eagle slings.
It is designed for transferring PRMs from their wheelchair to an airport wheelchair soon after they have checked in. This gives handling staff sufficient time to take the passenger’s wheelchair down for loading (if required).
The passenger (with sling) is then wheeled to the bottom of the aerobridge (jetway) ready for the Eagle 2 or 3 transfer to their aircraft seat.”
Fantastic news! I really hope this helps anyone considering taking a flight, Emma x
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