Airline assisted service

[elian]

Can anyone tell me whether, when using an airline's assisted service (wheelchair through check-in, customes etc.,) I will be offered the opportunity to visit the Duty Free shop ?

[tanyamarie]

Hiya hun,

From my days in the Travel Agents, once you got through passport control you would be taken somewhere in the lounge etc, wherever you felt comfortable to wait so you could eat, drink, shop whatever and you would be given a time for when you would be taken through to departures. It may have changed since, it's been a while!

[elian]

Many thanks for the info tanyamarie it's just that I want to pick up a gift of perfume for my daughter before the flight A little present to say thanks for putting up with me for two whole weeks !! lol

[tanyamarie in reply to elian]

That is a nice gift and way of saying thankyou. Having said that, you could always buy the perfume here before you go, maybe cheaper too. But then again, there's something about having a good ole browse in duty free at the airport isn't it?! Enjoy your trip and hope you stay well for it x

[Pepsicoley]

Hello Elian

Since I have been short of breath (SOB) I haven't actually flown anywhere other than to Ireland.

However, I am sure that the airport staff would be happy to take you around the Duty Free Shop so that you could have a look (once you had been through check-in).

If you off on your hols then I hope that you have a lovely time.

Kind regards

Annec

[elian]

Hello Annec and thanks for the message and good wishes xx

It's not a holiday as such as my daughter, her partner and my grand-daughter live in Zurich. I haven't seen them since Christmas and they'll be moving to Sao Paolo, Brazil, very soon, so I very much want to see them before they go, as I won't be able to fly to Brazil. For a start it'll be too hot and also it's a 12 hour flight - don't think I could stand the pace ! lol

[Hidden]

Hi Anne, my experience is that if you are travelling with others you can go and do as you wish once you go through to the departure lounge and then meet the helper at the gate for help with boarding. If you are travelling alone I am sure they will respond to your request. I have always found them very helpful. x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Oops, elian not Anne!

[elian in reply to Hidden]

Cheers for that info auntymary x I will be travelling solo so will risk asking whoever's helping me, and if they say "no" then I'll grin and bear it and buy my daughter something whilst I'm there........ it's just that Switzerland is so VERY expensive !

[CouncillorB]

I always get wheelchair assistance but travel with my daughter so ask to be taken to the duty free and from then my daughter pushes the wheelchair. I am sure if you ask the assistant will take you to duty free and if you feel like it give him a tip. On a flight recently I had a 4 hour wait at Heathrow for a connection and was taken to the BA lounge to wait. The airline staff in the lounge informed the assistance team to come and get me in time to board. The service I received from British Airways was excellent

[elian in reply to CouncillorB]

I like British Airways CB, and have flown with them before, but it was only to Southampton and on a very small aircraft. I'm not sure whether they fly to Zurich non-stop though. So far I've used EasyJet and Swiss.com and prefer Swiss.com, but their flights are much more expensive than EasyJet who stopped flying to Zurich last year

[Hidden]

Hi Elian,when I travelled to the UK & back here,in transit found them very helpful in transit,if you ask to go to duty free,I'm sure that won't be a problem.I got stuck in HongKong for 6 hours,& they were wonderful,pushing me around everywhere.

Have a wonderful time,with your family,it will be sad saying goodbye,can understand not wanting the long haul to Brazil,I can't face going to UK anymore,21 hours,I think it was,a tad to long for me now!! However if you get your new lungs, I can see you taking off!!

Have fun xxxx

[elian in reply to Hidden]

Hi Wendells

Wow ! 21 hours .... makes my 1hr 55min look like peanuts ! lol but I'm pleased to hear that everyone was very helpful

The only way I'm going to get new lungs is to offer to pay for them and I'm afraid I'm not blessed with copious amounts of money :(. This planned trip to Switzerland has taken most of my savings, mainly because of the inflated travel insurance premium

I know I'm going to have a good time though

xx

[Hidden]

Before I got my electric scooter I always had wheelchair assist and the pushers were always happy to take me around the shops. Much better now with my scooter I can zoom around everywhere....

[elian in reply to Hidden]

You make it sound like a breeze, ex blonde I'll have to think about getting one of those when I get home .....

xx

[Maximonkey]

Hi Elian, My husband and I use this service (for me) every time we travel and the answer is - No they will not take you anywhere as the pushers are in very short supply. They will usually take you to a café and agree to meet you at another point to embark on your journey. Can't the person you are travelling with take you to duty free? I usually, If able, take the opportunity to push the wheelchair around duty free, I get the chance to stretch my legs a little before sitting for so long. Yes I get some funny looks but who cares. If you have any other questions please blog me. Take care and happy holidays Maximonkey

[elian in reply to Maximonkey]

Hello Maximonkey

This will be only the second time I've had travel assist. The first time was from Zurich to Manchester after I'd been in hospita there. The staff were lovely, but - as I had been very ill - I wasn't up to wanting to do anything else but get home.

I'll be travelling on my own, so may well take up your tip to use the opportunity to stretch my legs a little. My cabin bag can sit in the suitcase instead of me ! lol

[Maximonkey in reply to elian]

Good luck Elian, I am sure you will enjoy the experience. The staff have all been wonderful with me. Stretching your legs (when you can) is always a good idea when flying. Have fun in Zurich. Maximonkey