12 replies to this topic

[dee342]

My partner hasn't braved flying yet and as we are looking to book our honeymoon and would like to know the good and bad in terms of airlines so we can book a holiday before we get married.

Any advise with regards to pressure relieving would be gratefully appreciated as well

Thanks

Dee x

[Lucydog]

NEVER fly Ryanair, dreadful
I had a good experience with Easyjet, so so with BA, and good with Air Austria.

[twisted_ophelia]

I've had good experiences with Air Canada and all of the American airlines ie. United, USAir, etc. One of the best experiences I had was on Air Alaska (or Alaskan Air, I forget the exact name) which I flew on from Los Angeles to Mammoth Lakes. It was a short flight but the airline was superfriendly, accomodating and went out of their way to make sure I was comfortable. Air Canada bumps me up to first class most often. All of the above airlines have also handled my chair with care.

[jules]

Agree about Ryanair had problems everytime I have been with them. Never had a problem with Easyjet, BA or ThompsonFly

[KarenFerguson]

It's really a hit and miss kind of situation with airlines. It really depends on the flight crew you get, the aisle chair people, and whoever is working at the ticket/boarding gate. Just be vocal about getting what you need, and make sure everyone follows through. Good luck!

[chickadee]

I'll let you know what happens on Midwest (based in Milwaukee, WI) when I get back from Boston sometime next week...

As for my last trip I took with United - know that it can be a pain in the derriere to ensure what you need. I have horror stories about them in O'Hare, but just know that you'll probably have to plan on some random thing happening. Last time it was making sure I got from one gate to another on time and in one piece. That would be easy enough if it weren't for a person literally stealing my cart reserved in my name. Plus, I had to switch concourses, and I only had 40 minutes between the two planes. Thankfully, the plane heading to Providence waited for me to board.

Always, always call in advance, and see what the restrictions may be. For instance, for some reason Northwest has some of the dumbest rules to avoid having them give you the bulkhead seats. I really, really prefer them not only for getting in and out easier, but also because my leg spasms will kick the person in front of me. They will also tell you about the aisle chair, but I haven't seen one on a plane ever, short of transporting a person to their seat and on/off the plane.

I haven't had an indwelling cath since the hospital as well, but I also haven't been on any long flights either. I guess to avoid accidents without an indwelling, be sure to not drink as much, maybe wear a diaper, yadda yadda yadda.

I would have written a letter to the airline that gave you so much grief when you had an accident on the plane. I wrote one to United, and my mom and I each received a $100 voucher to use for future travel. Of course, that means I need to get back on United again... hmmmm...

[Ches]

I had a lazy crew on a Delta flight once, left me on board for 1.5 hrs by myself,.. I was found by the guy coming to PARK THE PLANE...

That took place on my first flight post injury, and of course I went alone... Since then I've flown with American Airlines and their sister company United and had no problems.. but i do make it a point to go straight to the gate and explain I cant physically stand and require assistance.. and that I prefer a window seat (no strangers climbing over me) when they have room for me I often get upgraded to first class, even friends accompanying me. None of the airlines keep aisle chairs on board and like the others said i recommend you just keep reminding them you're waiting on their help, else they leave you to fend for yourself!

[DaveP]

Emirates... have never flown with any one better and I've done plenty of flying all over the world.

Just flew with Emirates via Dubai to Australia and it was amazing. Every seat has good screen with 100's of films, TV programs, radio, music and games you can play with other passengers. Tried to get upgraded as the Business Class seats were amazing - check them out on the Emirates web site.

[McTavish]

dee342, on Sep 8 2009, 09:59 PM, said:

My partner hasn't braved flying yet and as we are looking to book our honeymoon and would like to know the good and bad in terms of airlines so we can book a holiday before we get married.

Any advise with regards to pressure relieving would be gratefully appreciated as well

Thanks

Dee x

Hi Dee,
Have flown many airlines since becoming a para, Air France quite good and helpful although was left in transport bus once for an hour and a half till someone came to collect us at Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris, they sent me flowers as an apology. Aer Lingus are always lovely and very helpful. I will only use Ryan Air if there is no other choice.
Have just discovered that all Singnapore planes have toilets accesible by the aisle chair, I feel like the whole world has now opened up to me, as up to now have only been doing short flights due to not being able to use plane facilities.
Hope you have a good experience where ever you decide to go.
McTavish

[seanyboy]

I would echo the other posts about ryanair... i don't think their staff recieve any disability awareness training. I haven't had too much joy with BA recently either, if you are flying into Heathrow they will now categorically refuse to bring your own chair back to the door of the plane on landing. The last 2 times i have flown with them i was portered back to the baggage hall in an undignified, uncomfortable attendant propelled chair - very frustrating. For shorthaul, BMI, easyjet and aerlingus have all been good. Have even been upgraded a few times enabling transfer directly from my chair to the front row in the plane - i love it when that happens! Flew air canada at the beginning of the year and they were great too. Good luck!

[pauljones33]

Just back from Barcelona, flew Easyjet from Stansted. Outbound trip was no problem at all, Return journey was strange...they first gave me a hard time about travelling alone (apparantly they have a company policy about this) when we finally resloved this and I got wheelchair assistance to the gate, you can not just go to the gate and get assistance boarding. I was left at the gate and watched all my fellow passengers board the bus to the plane, my assistance turned up 5 mins after they closed the gate so I missed that flight. Easyjet staff then made me wheel all the way back to the check in desks to re check-in for a later flight, of course I then had to go through all the security screening again and ended up back where I started an hour and a half earlier. I did manage to catch the second flight but boy only Cairo airport has been that much hard work on my travels.
Most airlines treat you OK but it really depends on the staff you en****er on the day.

[Lucydog]

I think you will find that getting on and off the plane is the job of ground staff and vry little to do with the airloine. Just becasue they are wearing an airlines vest only means they are working with that one today. So how you get on and off is down to the policy of the airport and not much to do with the airline.

Never had a problem with EasyJet or BA. The Easyjet policy seems a bit ambiguous really.

[Ratticis]