by Even though traveling by air with a power wheelchair can be intimidating, a little preparation goes a long way.
As you explore specific airlines, we recommend speaking directly to the agents to explain your traveling needs and express any questions you may have. You may also find the resources on www.wheelchairtravel.org helpful. Their website offers a wealth of travel related resources including tips for airline travel.
As you may already know, power wheelchairs cannot be taken into the cabin of an airplane and must be safely stowed. So plan on transferring at your departure gate from your personal chair to an airport aisle chair to board the plane and then again from the aisle chair to your assigned seat aboard the plane. Airline staff are trained to assist in transfers. You will be transferred into a smaller chair called an aisle chair and then wheeled onto the plane and transferred into your seat.
Due to the rare opportunities for individual airport staff to handle power wheelchairs—and also due to the variation between motors, batteries, and supports of individual chairs—it is often a good idea to communicate gently, yet firmly, the specific procedures for the proper handling of your personal chair when you gate-check it. For example, which contain gel batteries are not to be removed and the wheelchair should not be laid on its side or back. It should also be transported via elevator or lift, not carried up stairs. It is also important to remove all removable parts from the wheelchair including its cushions, headrest, and joystick before it is stowed.
First class offers the most space to be transferred from aisle chair to seat and enough room to be comfortably attended by someone. one is able to sit up in seat independently by using the padded seat and the cushions from wheelchair. However, you must have someone sitting next to you during both takeoffs and landings to make sure you do not fall forward in your seat. You may find that a seat located further back in the plane will suffice just fine, provided it has an arm rest that can be flipped out of the way for your transfer.
Due to the labor required to gate-check a wheelchair, as well as transferring from chair to chair, direct flights are always desired. However, if a layover is necessary it must be at least 3 hours long to accommodate the procedures outlined above. Also, the aircraft must be large enough that its engines are not positioned in the rear. Smaller craft with rear engines lack the storage capacity for power wheelchairs to be transported safely.
Whether you are flying or driving, there will likely be hotel stays during your vacation. www.wheelchairtravel.org also has a helpful hotel information section. They describe the different types of ADA accessible rooms and even have diagrams showing design requirements. Depending on your needs, it may be important to specifically request a room with a roll-in shower, as some ADA rooms have tubs, and some have showers.
Many people rent any specific disability-related equipment they may need at their destination, like a hospital bed or a patient lift. I would suggest speaking to the hotel manager or concierge at your intended destination as they may have suggestions for local durable medical equipment companies. Another helpful tip is you can request to have excess furniture removed from hotel rooms, such as tables and chairs, to make room for equipment rentals. Or you can ask that a bed frame be put on raisers to accommodate a lift going underneath. These are all things you can ask the hotel representative you speak with.
Lastly, in may be helpful and encouraging to follow wheelchair travel bloggers like Cory Lee with Curb Free with Cory Lee and Sylvia Longmire with Spin the Globe. There are also Facebook groups dedicated to accessible travel, such as Accessible Travel Club.