May be going to Glasgow from Gatwick soon to see my 90yr old parents as mother is in hospital-better than last week when thought might have have to dash up there.
May need to go with Easy Jet , because their flight times are better than BA but getting off the Easy Jet plane and out into Gatwick terminal is a nightmare - down steps, bus to terminal, queues for their security, long walk up and down stairs and along corridors with no toilets till you get out into the main concourse.
My helpful hubby carries my bag, but now that I am dealing with fibro pain I just couldn't manage this hassle. The only way I would try the flight this way is as an assisted passenger, and wonder if anyone had any experience of how Easy Jet treats people with disabilities.
Caroline
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I use to be a manual wheelchair userr till my stroke in 2008 i now use an electric so i cannot speak from an electric chair point of view. But when i booked my assistance it was with easyjet and the assitant passsenger service at the airport that is who the airlines deal with. I have flow with easyjet a few times all of them have been fine i doubled checked with easyjet and they also gave me the number of the passenger assistance service and i ckecked i was booked on. You really do need to tell them if you cannot walk and they will then organised transport and carry on and off if need be.
Be clear double and triple check booking with airline and assited service
arrive early
ensure you are clear on what you need
and it should be fine as i said rasyjet was fine Ryanair and Aer lingus were a Nightmare!!!
hope this helps this was taken from Easyjets website
12 Passengers with specific requirements - disability, medical and health
Passengers with specific requirements are those whose mobility is reduced due to physical incapacity (sensory or locomotory), intellectual deficiency, age, illness or any other cause of disability. easyJet is unable to accept those passengers with a level of disability which requires the presence of a care assistant unless a care assistant is travelling with the passenger. A maximum of two disabled passengers can travel with one Care Assistant.
Passengers with specific requirements who book their seats over the telephone must advise easyJet of their requirements at the time of booking. Passengers purchasing seats over the Internet should select the type of assistance they require via the flight confirmation email (Specific needs and access requirements). Alternatively, customers may contact us by telephone to make this request (for other telephone numbers visit the contact us section). The airline requires a minimum of 48 hours notice to arrange assistance. It may not be possible to honour requests received less than 48 hours prior to the scheduled time of departure of a flight, as the airline may not be able to accommodate your needs. This could result in passengers being unable to travel. However, where possible, easyJet will endeavour to provide passengers with assistance when boarding and disembarking flights.
Please see paragraph 8 above in relation to Check-in requirements.
Passengers with specific requirements will not be allowed to sit in emergency exit rows of the aircraft in case of an emergency evacuation of the aircraft.
Passengers travelling with vital medication and/or medical equipment are permitted to carry up to 10kgs of medication and/or equipment free of charge in addition to their standard hold baggage allowance provided that it is carried in one bag. Where medical equipment is packed in more than one bag, the customer will be charged an additional bag charge fee.
To classify as vital medication and/or medical equipment the passenger would require medical documentation from their doctor confirming that the passenger must carry this medication and/or equipment.
Passengers travelling with controlled drugs and/or injectable materials are advised to carry a medical letter/prescription confirming details of the drugs and the intended use.
The medication/medical equipment must be carried separately from the passengers standard hold baggage to ensure ease of recognition at check-in.
Wheelchairs
Wheelchairs and mobility aids weighing more than 60kgs (excluding battery) can be accepted for travel provided they can be collapsed into separate parts weighing less than 60kg each. This is to protect the health and safety of our workforce.
If the mobility aid weighs more than 60kg (excluding battery) the passenger will need to inform us, at least 2 days in advance via our contact centre, of the total weight of their mobility aid and also bring the operating instructions with them to the airport.
If the mobility aid cannot be collapsed into separate parts weighing less than 60kg (excluding battery) then it will not be accepted for travel.
Passengers' folding wheelchairs will be carried free of charge in addition to their normal baggage allowance. Where a passenger requires that more than one wheelchair be carried, and the second wheelchair is a sporting wheelchair, the sporting wheelchair will be carried upon payment of the sports equipment fee.
The airline will only accept groups of three or more wheelchair passengers by prior arrangement made via our call centre (for other telephone numbers visit the contact us section).
Wheelchairs that are powered by sealed, non-spillable types of battery are acceptable for carriage on easyJet aircraft. The airline will not carry wheelchairs with un-sealed, spillable batteries.
Wheelchair facilities can be provided at the airport for passengers who are completely immobile and cannot walk unaided, or are unable to climb the aircraft steps, or cannot walk long distances. You must inform easyJet at the time of booking to arrange this service.
Additional seat requirement
Our minimum seat dimensions are as follows:
•Pitch (distance between back of seat and back of seat in front): 29" (approx. 72.5cm)
•Width (distance between armrests): 171/2 " (approx. 44cm)
If you are unable to fit into a single seat with the above dimensions for any reason (such as special medical requirements e.g. a broken leg) you will be required to purchase additional seating
Passengers travelling with broken limbs
Passengers travelling with upper limbs in cast, waist and above, will only require one seat to travel.
Adult passengers travelling with lower limbs in cast, waist and/or full leg plaster, must purchase three seats in total, per journey, to travel. This will enable the leg to be elevated during the flight and reduce swelling.
Passengers travelling with lower leg in plaster, may only require one seat. It is at the discretion of the check-in staff and/or crew to determine whether additional seats must be purchased. Additional seating must be purchased, regardless of whether the aircraft is full or not.
Child passengers travelling with lower limbs in cast are to be dealt with as above but the length of the cast will need to be determined to decide whether they would require one, two or three seats to enable their leg to be elevated during the flight.
Passengers travelling with a plaster cast that has been fitted for less than 48 hours then the cast needs to be split (the split need to run along the entire length of the cast) If the plaster cast been fitted for more than 48 hours there is no requirement for the cast to be split. This is applicable for both plaster of paris and resin casts.
Please contact our call centre to arrange this (for other telephone numbers visit the contact us section).
Passengers travelling with artificial limbs
Gas cylinders worn for the operation of mechanical limbs and spare cylinders of a similar size may be carried to ensure an adequate supply for the duration of the journey.
Passengers with a visual or hearing impairment
Arrangements will be made for passengers to be pre-boarded in advance so that the cabin crew can explain the safety requirements onboard the aircraft.
Needles
Hypodermic needles are permitted for carriage for medical purposes only. Medical certification must be presented at check-in to permit hypodermic needles to be carried into the cabin.
Passengers travelling with needles must be advised that injections required during the flight must be self-administered. easyJet cabin crew are unable to administer injections under any circumstances.
Diabetics
Injections required during flight must be self-administered. Please ensure that you carry supplies of insulin in your cabin baggage. Diabetic insulin pens will be permitted for travel without medical documentation.
Expectant mothers
Expectant mothers can be accepted for travel up to 27 weeks (inclusive) without a medical certificate. When travelling between 28 - 35 (inclusive) weeks the passenger requires a medical certificate, issued by either a doctor or a registered midwife. It must confirm the number of weeks of pregnancy, the date(s) of travel and it must state that the passenger is fit to fly. The certificate must also state the date(s) of travel from the Booking. Expectant mothers cannot be accepted for travel on or after week 36, and therefore all return flights must be completed no later than week 35. Expectant mothers wishing to travel with an infant on their lap are permitted to do so. Conditions of Carriage Article 8.2.
Children with chronic lung diseases
Children with chronic lung diseases, such as cystic fibrosis must have a "Fitness to Fly" Certificate.
Infectious diseases: severe cases
Passengers suffering from a severe infectious disease e.g. severe respiratory infections, tuberculosis or pneumonia are not permitted to travel.
Infectious diseases: minor cases
Rubella
passengers can be accepted for travel 4 days after the appearance of the rash
Measles
passengers can be accepted for travel 7 days after the appearance of the rash
Mumps
passengers can be accepted for travel when all swelling has subsided. This is usually after 7 days however it can take up to 14 days.
Chicken pox
passengers can be accepted for travel 7 days after the appearance of the last new spot
Passengers travelling with any of the above conditions or who are suffering from chronic illness are required to produce a medical note certificate at check in confirming that they are fit to fly.
Viral infections
passengers suffering from viral infections e.g. influenza should avoid travel as such infections can be contagious
Stretchers
easyJet does not accept stretchers for carriage on any flights.
Medical oxygen
The carriage of small compressed oxygen or air cylinders is permitted for personal medical use only provided the cylinders are no longer than 0.5 metre long and 250 mm in diameter. A maximum of two cylinders are permitted per passenger. A medical certificate confirming that oxygen is required for medical reasons must be produced at check-in and that the passenger is suitable for carriage by air. Air cylinders for diving/scuba diving will not be accepted onboard.
Asthma sufferers
Asthma sufferers are able to carry inhalers and/or nebulisers provided that these do not contain oxygen cylinders. Passengers suffering from severe asthma or those who have recently been prescribed oral steroids will require certification confirming fitness to fly.
Peanut allergies
Passengers are advised that easyJet sells peanuts onboard its flights. Passengers who suffer from anaphylaxis should notify the senior cabin crew member on arrival on the aircraft of their allergy so that their sale can be prevented on their flight.
Cardiac pacemakers
Cardiac pacemakers or other devices including those powered by lithium batteries, implanted in a person or radio-pharmaceuticals contained within the body of a person as a result of medical treatments are permitted.
Service dogs
easyJet will accept service dogs accompanying blind, deaf or otherwise disabled passengers all UK domestic flights and on all flights starting and finishing within mainland Europe (excluding UK routes). Service dogs and helping dogs will only be permitted to travel on flights to/from UK to mainland Europe from the following UK airports: Belfast (BFS), Bristol (BRS), London Luton (LTN), London Gatwick (LGW), London Stansted (STN), Manchester (MAN), Newcastle (NCL), Edinburgh (EDI) and Glasgow (GLA). Service dogs and helping dogs will not be permitted to travel on flights to/from UK or mainland Europe to/from Morocco, Egypt, Israel, Kosovo, Turkey or Jordan. Flights from mainland Europe to Sicily, Sardinia or the Balearic Island (or vice versa) are considered flights within mainland Europe for this purpose. “Mainland Europe” for the purposes of this policy is considered to be all routes on the easyJet network, excluding flights to/from UK to mainland Europe or to/from Morocco, Egypt, Israel, Kosovo, Turkey or Jordan.
For the purposes of these Regulations, dogs are considered service dogs by easyJet provided they are trained by one of the following charities: Support Dogs; the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association; Hearing Dogs for Deaf People; Dogs for the Disabled or Canine Partners. Service dogs will only be permitted to travel if the passenger is in possession of an official identity document provided by one of the above-mentioned charities confirming that the dog is a fully trained service dog or is under the control of a trainer. The service dog must wear a standard identifying jacket/harness.
Subject to the availability of space at the front of the aircraft, service dogs will be accommodated free of charge on the floor of the aircraft at the feet of the handler. If such space is not available, an extra seat may be purchased by the handler (subject to availability) so that the service dog can stay on the floor next to the handler. Service dogs must wear a safety harness, to be supplied by the handler, during take-off and landing and when the “fasten seat belt” sign is illuminated.
To ensure that all necessary procedures are completed, passengers with service dogs are recommended to check in 90 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time of their flight. Passengers are required to advise easyJet in advance if they will be travelling with a service dog by contacting the easyJet contact centre (for other telephone numbers visit the contact us section).
I used to be a Customer Service Exec with BA. I can assure you that if you book assisted travel with BA you will be well looked after and will be taken both to and from the plane in a wheelchair.
They will collect you at check in and take you through security right through everything and down onto the plane. Even transfer you into a special chair for the plane if you don't feel you can actually walk down the aisle and into your seat.
They will want to know if you can manage any stairs i.e so that if the jetty cannot be brought up to the plane for any reason they may have to order the high lift for you. Take it from me you do not want to have to use that!!! Just say you can manage that because you will have strapping young BA employees helping you down or up any stairs if it came to that!!!
I may be bias but I would go via BA as I just know they are very safe, have back up and highly trained employees on board and will not let you down. You may even get an upgrade!
Thanks - very helpful. Have decided to go and see my parents next week so can see how mum is for myself although it's sad going 400 miles to see someone who doesn't know you are.
Have booked BA and going to try going as an assisted passenger in case I can't face the walking/standing - hubby and elder son are coming too so I shan't be on my own. Only thing I wondered is what happens if you want to go in one of the cafes before going to the gate????
I did not work at T5 as I was at T4 before they moved over but I am sure they have the same set up there. They used to take the passengers from checkin, through passport control to a special lounge where they would wait for their flight to be called. Then they would come and get you to take you to the plane.
There was nothing to stop you from leaving the lounge and going to the shops or a cafe if it was not too far for you to walk because of course they take the wheelchairs and leave you seated in the lounge unless you have your own wheelchair. They used to call it the Serenity Lounge. I can find out from one of my buddies who still works there what the set up is now if you would like?
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