airline travel with a rollator?

[erash]

we’re planning a trip and this will be my first time flying and needing a rollator. How is it stowed? How do I get from the ramp to my seat when boarding? How do I get from my seat to the ramp and get my rollator back to me? I feel like such a novice but I don’t remember seeing anyone with rollators on planes. Thanks! 😊

[bxrmom]

Have fun on your trip erash ! I am sure someone will have tips for you! Keep us updated when you can!

[carolek572 CommunityAmbassador]

I don’t see any rollators at the airport either, erash . But that doesn’t mean that it cannot be done. I navigate the airport with the use of their wheelchairs. I also have my forearm crutches to assist me when I am on the plane but I really don’t need them because the aisle has seats nearby to hold on to. There’s so much walking to get to your gate, and I am not sure if a rollator is the best assistive device to use?

[erash in reply to carolek572]

I’ve never tried forearm crutches. Do you use them a lot? What do you think about them? Thanks!

[carolek572 CommunityAmbassador in reply to erash]

That’s all that I use,  erash . I started using them when I broke my leg at the ankle and I never went back to a cane. I find that canes really aggravate my wrist. It does take some effort but it is worth it. My forearms are stronger and people ask me how I broke my leg when using them. I tell them skiing! In other words, they don’t associate them as being old folks walking device!

[hairbrain4]

I would call the airline & tell them what your problem is & ask them what kind of assistance they provide . Then, you can figure out if you need to use the rollator. I personally don't think it will roll down the isles as they are narrow. I'm pretty sure you can get a wheelchair at curbside all the way thru to the plane door. I've done that before, but it has been several years since. Have a fun, safe trip!

[greaterexp in reply to hairbrain4]

I am constantly frustrated about the wheelchairs actually showing up when promised. I always check to make sure that the wheelchair assistance is marked when I check it, and then ask the flight attendant before landing to check to see that the wheelchair will be there. Then there is the issue of them dumping me off, only the have the gate changed without enough time to get another wheelchair to get me to the new gate(s). I am tempted to get an electric device of some sort so I can get myself through the airport, but have heard horror stories of how they can be damaged. It hasn't mattered which airlines or which airports I use. I am always so relieved when my husband can travel with me, since he can run and find a wheelchair if one doesn't show up. I always tip the wheelchair drivers and tell them how important they are, by the way. I always have connections when I fly, so if at all possible, I make sure to choose flights with long layovers to give me extra time to get to gates, especially since they change them all the time. I've explained that I have MS, so even though I look fine and can walk short distances, I'd never be able to walk more than just a little.

I don't want to discourage you from traveling, but just be aware of potential problems. Let us know how it goes and if you find helpful hints.

[erash in reply to greaterexp]

I had a great experience! Felt like a Queen. Heard Delta was #1 for accessibility service tho🤷‍♀️

[greaterexp in reply to erash]

I’m tickled pink to hear it!!

[hairbrain4 in reply to greaterexp]

I'm so grateful I don't have to travel anymore. I used to for meetings , training & hair conventions with our students that were competing in hair designs.

[Helpmeup]

Hi erash. I have lots of experience with bringing my rollator on flights. When I fly, I order curbside wheelchair service, which is great and they wheel me from the curb all the way to the door of the plane. The wheelchair attendant carries my bags and my rollator. Once at the gate, the agent puts a special tag on my rollator and it comes with me all the way to the plane door. At the plane door, the baggage handler takes my rollator. The flight attendant asks if I can walk to my seat or if I need assistance. The rollator goes in a special area so that when I land, it is waiting at the door of the plane and ready to use down the jetway. Since I get wheelchair service, an attendant is waiting with a wheelchair at the plane door, and takes me curbside while carrying my rollator. Hope this doesn't sound confusing. I would suggest that when you book your ticket, you request "special assistance". My experience has been that airlines are pretty good about helping passengers who ask for assistance. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask. Have a wonderful trip!

[Cwright170994 in reply to Helpmeup]

That's really handy to know! Me and my husband are thinking of going out of our county for our much-delayed honeymoon 😅 we'd need to go by plane if we were to go out of the country, but what you've said is really handy to know 🫂 thank you.

[Helpmeup in reply to Cwright170994]

Happy to share! Travelling with an assistive device can seem daunting at first, but the airlines do a good job of accommodating passengers with special needs. Enjoy your honeymoon! 🤗

[Cwright170994 in reply to Helpmeup]

Thank you so much! Haven't booked anything yet, because at the moment we can't afford it 🙃 like the cost of a new car, because the current one is old and the repairs needed are very costly, and then having to pay for a corner chimney removal in the back bedroom before the council can fit a new bathroom in there to how me and my husband have agreed on 🫣

[ms23 in reply to Helpmeup]

This is great info, and I would like to add some info based on my experience arranging travel for my mom.: just so you know, erash, if you decide to check your rollator the airline will not count it as a checked bag; there is no fee to check a medical device. We were concerned about damage to her rollator so I ordered a travel bag on amazon (link below) and wrapped the rollator (a Nitro) since she would have been stranded without the use of it if anything had been damaged with two international flights. The bag cost $24 and I was particularly careful to wrap the wheels after reading reports of bent wheels in other TM/MS forums. And of course, if you don’t check it, your rollator will be at the plane exit along with strollers and such (gate checked).

Explore Land Heavy Duty Chair Storage Bag for Folding Longue Chair, Zero Gravity Chair, Light Weight Transport Chair (42 Lx 9 Wx 28 H inches, Blue)Visit the Explore Land Store4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,605 ratings50+ bought in past month

Once you get to the plane entrance, my experience was there is a narrow wheelchair that fits down the aisle in order to transfer to your seat. I don’t know if every airline has this, but you can call and ask and they are very helpful.

Last tip, if you decide you need a wheelchair at your destination, there are companies that can deliver one to you as a rental, much like they do for carseats and strollers for visitors. Again, not sure if this service is available everywhere.

Have a wonderful trip! My daughter and I are starting to plan a trip for August, just trying to decide on a place to explore that isn’t too hot that time of year, as she goes numb from heat within minutes due to her MS.

[erash in reply to Helpmeup]

Great info! Thank you so much 🤗

[erash in reply to Helpmeup]

fantastic info, thank you !

[Helpmeup in reply to erash]

Some additional info I did not include in my first post. Here's how getting through security works. You cannot use your rollator to get through security. It needs to be examined by a TSA agent. You can get through the security screening one of two ways - if you can walk the short distance, you can go through the scanner where you stand with your arms raised, and once you do that, your rollator will be waiting on the other side. If you cannot walk through the scanner, TSA will give you a wheelchair and you will get a pat down by a TSA agent while sitting. The agent will explain the process to you before touching you. You will get a thorough head to toe pat down by a female agent. After that, your rollator will be returned to you and you can head to your gate. As I said in my earlier post, you can take your rollator all the way to the plane door.

[erash in reply to Helpmeup]

Thank you thank you thank you 😊

[KarenUSA]

I request wheelchair assistance from check-in to door of plane. I gate check the rolator. I use the back of seats to manage my walk to my seat. Wheel chair helps to get through se urity also.

[Ontheroadagain4now]

Hi trash! After reading the comments, I think people have given you very detailed instructions! I too have traveled a lot and used my Rolator on my trips. My travel agent has a wheelchair ready at each leg of the trip going and coming back. I’ve boarded the plane using a walking stick, planes wheelchair and using seat backs. Our travel agent had seats close to the front of the plane, not 1st class, and on the aisle.

During the trip, flight attendants were very helpful in assisting me to the lavatory.

On international flights, assistance to handicapped people is really good too. In country handicap services range from almost none to very good. Some countries offer wheelchairs and scooters.

Tour guides are very helpful too. We were first on and first off every mode of transportation used on the trip.

Our travel agent was very helpful in planning our trips, from getting to and from the airport, getting to the gate and getting on and off the plane.

I know this is a long reply and I hope it helps.

I hope you have a great trip.

[erash in reply to Ontheroadagain4now]

Very helpful. Thank you

[Ontheroadagain4now in reply to Ontheroadagain4now]

Sorry about my greeting!😟. Spell check did me in and I did not review the note before I sent it.

[erash in reply to Ontheroadagain4now]

😝 no worries…I hadn’t even noticed

[Robsmom]

I take my own rollator, but I get a wheelchair at the airport. I keep my rollator with me and at the plane door, they take it and put it under the plane. When I get to my destination, my rollator is waiting at the plane door. I don't think airports have rollators for you to use, but the have wheelchairs. As I said, I keep my rollator with me now because I use to check it with my luggage, but after I arrived in Atlanta at 10 PM and was informed that my rollator was still in London, I now keep it with me. Sometimes they'll store it in a closet on the plane if there's room.

[Tazmanian]

Good luck I'm scared to fly with my rollator

[erash]

ok 🤷‍♀️why? Is there something I should be fearful of?

[Neworleanslady]

i hate flying! I haven’t been on a plane since ive needed a rollator so im not sure. Good luck! Im interested how it gets handled. Have a good trip!

[Kenu]

Haven’t flown with a rollator but have taken my cane 🦯 with me several times. I always use the wheelchair 🦽 at airports as it’s to much to get from gate to gate, etc. The airline has been great with wheelchair access 🙏👍🏼😉💕

[lbenmaor]

erash,

I hope you have a great trip! I don't travel much.

Leslie

[SsCoobyDoO]

I wanted to chime in with my experience. I also haven't seen many rollators at the airport, but it doesn't mean you can't use one. I usually travel business class travelbusinessclass.com/ , and I find that the extra space makes a big difference in managing assistive devices. For me, the airport wheelchairs are a lifesaver with all the walking involved. I bring my forearm crutches on the plane, just in case, but like you said, the seats and aisle provide good support. In my opinion, if you're traveling business , the added comfort and assistance from airline staff can make using a rollator more feasible. They’re usually very accommodating and can help you navigate the airport smoothly.