4 replies to this topic

[TimRS]

Hi there. I'm new to all of this in most ways, having been injured in April 2005.
My wife is Australian and we are planning to fly over with our 1 year old daughter for a family gathering in October. This is my first long-haul since my accident, although I have done a flight to Rotterdam, so I do know one end of an aisle chair from the other, even if the ground staff don't always.

So, enough blather and on to my question. Which is the best airline to fly with? Do we just go by price as usual, or are some best avoided completely? And where is a good spot for an over night rest? I've heard Dubai is pretty poor, but where is hassle-free (ish)? And is there an online resource for comparing airline services for the disabled? And how many questions am I allowed in one message?

Cheers,

Tim

[russ1]

My tip would be to avoid British Airways but I do know at least some people who've had an acceptable level of service from them.

[debs]

I flew with British Airways via Singapore it was actually Qantas to Singapore then Australian Airways to Cairns, didn't experience any difficulties apart from Sydney to Singapore on the way back they wanted me to check my chair in 3 hours before the flight and sit in one of their crappy airport chairs, I refused and caused a bit of a hoo ha, maybe you saw me on Airport?!

[DaveP]

Hi Tim

I flew with BA to Perth, via Singapore, in 2000, and had no problems.

I'm thinking of going back this Dec and am looking for flights, but the quotes I've had so far have all been expensive.

I don't think any one airline is better than any other when it comes to the handling of disabled passengers. I've flown nearly all over the world and used many different airlines, and each time it's different. Anyway, it's not the airlines that provide assistance for us to get on and off the planes, it's airport support staff. Once you're sat in your seat, you're not going anywhere until you land, so you just need to plan ahead when it comes to things like having a pee - take a night bag in a ruck sack and don't drink too much. I've never had to ask for help, such as asking a stewardess to empty my pee - I wouldn't do that unless it was the absolute last resort, as I feel very strongly that this is our responsibility and we should make the appropriate plans beforehand.

I make sure I get assistance to board and before landing I ask the cabin crew to radio ahead to make sure my wheelchair is at the plane door, as opposed to carted away with the luggage, and never had any major problems. I've flown alone many times and never had any hassle for that either.

I think the answer is to be friendly and polite, and don't expect special treatment, and people will be more than happy to be helpful when necessary.

[TimRS]

DaveP, on Aug 3 2006, 04:10 PM, said:

Hi Tim

I flew with BA to Perth, via Singapore, in 2000, and had no problems.

I'm thinking of going back this Dec and am looking for flights, but the quotes I've had so far have all been expensive.

I don't think any one airline is better than any other when it comes to the handling of disabled passengers. I've flown nearly all over the world and used many different airlines, and each time it's different. Anyway, it's not the airlines that provide assistance for us to get on and off the planes, it's airport support staff. Once you're sat in your seat, you're not going anywhere until you land, so you just need to plan ahead when it comes to things like having a pee - take a night bag in a ruck sack and don't drink too much. I've never had to ask for help, such as asking a stewardess to empty my pee - I wouldn't do that unless it was the absolute last resort, as I feel very strongly that this is our responsibility and we should make the appropriate plans beforehand.

I make sure I get assistance to board and before landing I ask the cabin crew to radio ahead to make sure my wheelchair is at the plane door, as opposed to carted away with the luggage, and never had any major problems. I've flown alone many times and never had any hassle for that either.

I think the answer is to be friendly and polite, and don't expect special treatment, and people will be more than happy to be helpful when necessary.

Dave,

We have now booked with Malaysia, and are flying to Sydney via Kuala Lumpur, where we will be having a one night stopover. We took this route before my accident, and KL is a great airport, as it's new and not very busy. Also, there's usually a a cheap deal to stay in the 5 star Pan Pacific hotel if you're flying Malaysian, and it adjoins the airport, so no taxi/bus transfers to worry about.
Thanks for the radio-ing ahead tip-I can see how thatcould by-pass a few tricky situations.

I certainly agree with your last bit. I usually find a way of making staff laugh, and that helps to soften most people. The other useful tool in this regard is a 1 year old child with big blue eyes.