Introduction
With the ever-rising cost of air travel, you might be considering a trip by train. However, if you have disabilities that make it difficult to travel by air, traveling by train can be expensive and complicated. While walkways may exist for some stations and trains, not all of the following stations have these amenities. There is still hope though!
The World Health Organization has reported that there are 10% of people in the world who are disabled or have a disease or condition such as asthma, epilepsy, or muscular dystrophy. When it comes to disability-related flights with medical conditions like these, airlines must take extra care to accommodate your needs before and during your flight.
Airlines are slowly adapting to travelers with disabilities, but there is still a long way to go. The reality of traveling by airplane is that the experience ranges from nightmarish to perfect, depending on your needs and the will or lack thereof of your airline. To make things easier for you the traveler, we’ve put together this guide on ensuring an enjoyable flying experience.
With this advice in mind, if you’re entitled to extra accommodations—like pre-boarding or wheelchair assistance—request them ahead of time! This will help ensure your safety and make sure you get the most out of your flight.
The Ultimate Guide To Air Travel With A Disability
1. Avoid changes in altitude and rapid movement. The hard tissue of the inner ear senses these changes, which may cause pressure or pain depending on where they are located. If you have a disability that makes it hard to concentrate or think clearly while flying, you may find being seated in an aisle seat easier to navigate than sitting across a window seat.
2. Choose your hotels wisely if you have a disability that makes it difficult to get around. On-site transportation is important for anyone with a medical condition, but it’s even more critical for travelers with disabilities who may need help getting around at the hotel.
3. Make sure to ask about other guests’ accessibility needs when choosing hotels. Hotels should be prepared to accommodate any guests who have a disability.
4. If you have asthma, allergies, or other breathing problems, ask the hotel ahead of time if they can make arrangements for you while staying there. Hotels are required to accommodate those with respiratory issues before booking rooms and should make all accommodations necessary to ensure your comfort throughout your stay.
5. Ensure that any hotel you plan on staying at has wheelchair accessibility for the bathroom and your room itself if needed. If available, access ramps are always an alternative to stairs for those with walking difficulties (but not always). Roll-in showers are also available for people who have difficulty transferring out of a regular shower.
5. Be aware of your surroundings when traveling by car. While it may be difficult to see out the windows, you should be able to communicate with your driver if you need assistance or feel uncomfortable at any point during the trip.
6. If possible, try to pre-book hotels if you have mobility issues. This will allow you to pre-arrange any special accommodations or provide them with a doctor’s note that outlines your needs before booking a room so there are no surprises during check-in time!
7. If you have a disability, be aware of any additional requirements for your trip. For example, if you need to bring a wheelchair or mobility aid along with you, make sure to let the airline know ahead of time so they can accommodate your needs.
8. If you need medical oxygen or other medical equipment during your flight, make sure to arrive at the airport at least two hours before takeoff (or even earlier if possible). If you’re traveling internationally, it may get further complicated because you need to apply for a permit from the airline and often there are forms that need to be filled out 30 days in advance! Flying in general isn’t easy for people with disabilities due to issues with security checkpoints and cramped spaces.
9. Know your airline’s policies regarding large carry-on baggage. Be aware if you are flying with a large wheeled or collapsible wheeled luggage. Airlines are allowed to charge one of two different prices for these types of bags: a standard set rate that varies depending on the size of the bag or their weight, or a first-class rate. If you choose to pay the first-class price, there is no limit to how much you can bring on your flight and you may get charged extra fees if your bag weighs more than 100 pounds.
10. Request wheelchair assistance when traveling by taxi or limo service. If available, this will allow you to get to your destination faster, more comfortably, and more securely than if you were to be traveling by car.
11. If possible, travel with a friend or family member who can help if you need assistance during the flight. Sometimes it’s easier for airlines to accommodate two people instead of just one!
12. If possible, try to limit the amount of checked baggage you have on a flight by carrying on a smaller bag with essentials like medications and anything that may cause sensory issues or pressure changes (like air sickness bags). By doing this, you’ll avoid any extra fees that some airlines charge when checking in bags!
Conclusion
Air travel can be a wonderful experience for all travelers, but for those with a disability, the journey can be an extremely challenging one. Fortunately, air travel is slowly becoming more accessible for travelers with disabilities; however, there’s still much that can be done to make traveling by plane easier for everyone. The tips and tricks in this guide are designed to help you make sure that your flight is enjoyable and safe while also being as comfortable as possible!
Are you traveling soon? If so, what tips do you have that may help others with disabilities? Let us know in the comments below!
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