mobility scooter on plane

I’ve been going to Greece for the past 5 years with my husband using a manual wheelchair. It works very well no problems but I would like to feel a little less dependant and also give my husband a break. I use a small “SupaScoota” for getting around at home and would like to take a mobility scooter on holiday with me. I would need it in the airport and take it to the plane door and then have it waiting for me again at the door on landing. I know it can be done and that you usually have to take the battery on as hand luggage but has anyone out there actually got experience? Can you recommend a suitable scooter?

Yes, depends on your airline but something like https://www.2020mobility.com/product-category/wheelchairs/scooters/

Good a/l will store it in cabin.

George

I have a Luggie scooter which is lightweight and folds down I use it when travelling abroad I drive to the plane door then it’s taken away and put into the hold, on arrival though I usually use a wheelchair or airport transportation to be taken to where it has been off loaded it’s does give you independence and to date It has been quite successful.

Hi there, I use to have a Travelscoot. Made and obtained from Germany. German engineering et al ! Brilliant scooter foldable, lightweight, ion lightweight li lithium ion Battery, I had it posted from Germany. Please look it up. Costly piece of kit though! Good luck!

Travelling by aircraft seems a daunting experience for anyone Disabled in 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 your doing any favour’s by not asking for help. The aircraft has a certain slot for take 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 isle when you get aircraft side, no problem, quite a few aircraft now have small wheelchairs especially to take people up and down the isle. 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 pushed me aircraft side and some kind gentleman said he would take it and put in hold. Result was left my chair behind in Gatwick, 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.

George

Thanks so much for that I’ll investigate.

Thanks Dizzy. I’ve looked and it seems good but I’m not very comfortable with 3 wheels. My balance is occasionally bad so I use a 4 wheel scooter. How stable is it?

Thank oyu

Dicko

Thank you for that. We’ve quite a lot of experience with Gatwick and usually manage quite well. The occasional ‘jobsworth’ can make things more difficult than really they need to be but overall it’s good.

Well yes, you probably would require as you say, a four wheeler for stability etc. I’ve just got a Invacare Spectra XTR2 courtesy of NHS! So real heavy cumbersome beast! Certainly no use for you & my TGA Breeze midi either!

Sorry, can’t help.

Dizzy

Thanks,it looks like I may have found what I’m looking for through this discussion.