Taking a Flight with a Mobility Scooter or Wheelchair

Don’t let your mobility scooter stop you from taking a well-deserved holiday. Airlines are required to allow people with disabilities to fly on their aircraft — and it’s completely free of charge. 

However, there are a few extra steps you should take before arriving at their airport to ensure the experience goes as smoothly as possible. 

This guide will explain everything you need to know about travelling via plane as a mobility scooter or wheelchair user.

Can you take your mobility scooter on a plane?

Your mobility scooter will come along for the ride, but you won’t be able to board with it. Instead, your mobility scooter will be stowed away in the cargo for the duration of your flight, and you will use a transfer chair to take you onto a dedicated aisle wheelchair.

You will need to give the airline some information regarding your circumstances at least 48 hours before your flight so that they can make the necessary adjustments for you. 

You should:

• Inform the airline of the make, model, weight and size of your mobility scooter or wheelchair
• Take the operating manual along with you in case they need extra information
• Provide details of how to assemble and disassemble your scooter or wheelchair if it is collapsible.

To make sure you get the best experience possible, it’s important to research your airline before buying any tickets. Check their terms and conditions to make sure you know what to expect before you commit to the purchase. Remember — higher quality service often comes at a higher price tag, so consider whether you’d be willing to pay slightly more for a more convenient experience.

And don’t forget to arrive at the airport nice and early. We recommend getting to the airport at least two hours in advance so that all the arrangements can be made in time.

Where is the scooter stored in the plane?

If your wheelchair collapses to a small enough size, it may be stored in the overhead luggage compartment. However, most mobility scooters and wheelchairs will be stored in the cargo along with checked-in luggage.

Do wheelchairs or scooters count as luggage?

Despite being stored in the cargo, your wheelchair or scooter will not count as luggage and therefore won’t count towards your baggage allowance.

Do you need extra insurance when bringing a mobility scooter or wheelchair on a plane?

The airline will be liable for any damage that occurs to your mobility scooter or wheelchair during the flight. However, the compensation is usually capped at a maximum amount, so you may still end up having to pay the extra if the damage is significant. For this reason, you may want to consider taking out extra insurance for the added peace of mind. 

If your wheelchair or mobility scooter does get damaged during the flight and becomes unusable, the airline is responsible for providing a temporary replacement. However, the replacement they produce may not be the exact same make and model as your own.

 

Ideas in Action are committed to helping you restore your independence with a range of wheelchairs, mobility scooters and equipment. Based in Birmingham but serving the entire West Midlands, we offer a wide selection of makes and models to give everyone the freedom to live their life. No matter your circumstances, we’ll help you find the perfect mobility equipment for you. You can visit our showroom to check out our products for yourself, or give our friendly team a call. We offer 1-3 year warranty on all our products, professional service and repair at our on-site workshop and a friendly before and after sales service.

Contact our team today to find out how we can help you.