Air & sea Travel
Air Travel
Airlines both domestic and International will carry your wheelchair free of charge. Manual chairs which are foldable are accepted in all cases. Electric chairs and scooters are generally accepted but are subject to some conditions.
There may be limits to the size and weight. In all cases airlines require information with regard to the battery type as dry cell or non leak batteries are a compulsary requirement. When booking the flight have the wheelchair/scooter manual handy so that you may give the airline the information they require. This information should also be available to give to check in at the airport. You will find that your information will be retained by the airline when making subsequent reservations.
Your chair/scooter will be taken with your check in baggage and the airline will provide a chair for use in the terminal and to board the aircraft. A narrow chair will be provided to allow access to your seat if you are unable to walk down the aircraft aisle. At airports which do not have finger access to the aircraft a lift will be provided to lift you to the aircraft door. Ensure when booking that the airline is aware of your particular problem so that appropriate seating may be obtained. When travelling with a carer then fare reductions for the carer may be had, generally 10% in economy and up to 50% in business class. It must be remembered, however, that there are many 'special/promotional' fares these will be much cheaper and are not discountable for carers.
It must be remembered that some airlines do require that a carer accompany a disabled passenger.
Australian regulations stipulate that on board chairs be provided to allow access to toilets and assistance be provided to ensure access to toilets. This regulation applies only to wide bodied, two aisle aircraft.
Virgin Blue have recently declared that disabled passengers will be carried without the requirement of a carer. This statement didn't, in my view, alter matters as such passengers must be able to move around the cabin un assisted.
Cruises
Very wheelchair friendly and I have found cruising is the easiest type of holiday to enjoy.
The shipping companywill provide for a 'disabled state room' these are larger than the normal state rooms and allow access to the bathroom/toilet via the wheelchair.
Lifts ensure that most decks are easily accessed. Ships doctors are quite expensive. The cabins usually have a refridgerator so that storage of medications etc. is eased. Check the electricity supply, the voltage and whether it is A/C or D/C this will be required if you wish to use any electrical equipment. There are some destinations which have no port facilities and visiting these destinations requires transfer with the ships tender. Access to these tenders is difficult and may be beyond your capabilities. I find that staying on board with less competition at the buffet etc is some consolation.
Airlines both domestic and International will carry your wheelchair free of charge. Manual chairs which are foldable are accepted in all cases. Electric chairs and scooters are generally accepted but are subject to some conditions.
There may be limits to the size and weight. In all cases airlines require information with regard to the battery type as dry cell or non leak batteries are a compulsary requirement. When booking the flight have the wheelchair/scooter manual handy so that you may give the airline the information they require. This information should also be available to give to check in at the airport. You will find that your information will be retained by the airline when making subsequent reservations.
Your chair/scooter will be taken with your check in baggage and the airline will provide a chair for use in the terminal and to board the aircraft. A narrow chair will be provided to allow access to your seat if you are unable to walk down the aircraft aisle. At airports which do not have finger access to the aircraft a lift will be provided to lift you to the aircraft door. Ensure when booking that the airline is aware of your particular problem so that appropriate seating may be obtained. When travelling with a carer then fare reductions for the carer may be had, generally 10% in economy and up to 50% in business class. It must be remembered, however, that there are many 'special/promotional' fares these will be much cheaper and are not discountable for carers.
It must be remembered that some airlines do require that a carer accompany a disabled passenger.
Australian regulations stipulate that on board chairs be provided to allow access to toilets and assistance be provided to ensure access to toilets. This regulation applies only to wide bodied, two aisle aircraft.
Virgin Blue have recently declared that disabled passengers will be carried without the requirement of a carer. This statement didn't, in my view, alter matters as such passengers must be able to move around the cabin un assisted.
Cruises
Very wheelchair friendly and I have found cruising is the easiest type of holiday to enjoy.
The shipping companywill provide for a 'disabled state room' these are larger than the normal state rooms and allow access to the bathroom/toilet via the wheelchair.
Lifts ensure that most decks are easily accessed. Ships doctors are quite expensive. The cabins usually have a refridgerator so that storage of medications etc. is eased. Check the electricity supply, the voltage and whether it is A/C or D/C this will be required if you wish to use any electrical equipment. There are some destinations which have no port facilities and visiting these destinations requires transfer with the ships tender. Access to these tenders is difficult and may be beyond your capabilities. I find that staying on board with less competition at the buffet etc is some consolation.
