How to Take a Wheelchair on a Flight?

Wheelchair users travelling on flights have obligations to adhere to, just like the airline companies. The enacted laws, regulations, and requirements on wheelchairs or mobility devices in America are enshrined in the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), FTA ADA Circular, and the DOT Wheelchair Rule.

If you’re planning to take a wheelchair on a flight in America, your wheelchair has to comply with the set size, design, weight, battery, and type requirements. Whereas there are common rules governing wheelchair travel on U.S. airlines, each airplane can accommodate certain wheelchair dimensions.

Wheelchair Requirements on U.S. Airlines - Size, Weight, Design, Battery, and Type

While every wheelchair has its dimensions and features, each airline has its own acceptable wheelchair specifications. Among the wheelchair requirements you’ve to pay attention to when travelling on U.S airlines include size when folded, dismantled, and in its standard size, weight, type, and the battery’s design.

ADA.gov defines a wheelchair as a manually-operated or power-driven device used by individuals with a mobility disability for the purpose of indoor and outdoor locomotion, or both.

Here are the legal requirements for wheelchairs on a flight in America:

i) Wheelchair Size 

Whereas there’s no exact wheelchair size requirement when using an airline to travel in America, airlines do limit wheelchairs based on size. The size limit depends on the airline’s cargo door measurements. 

Airlines with 100 seats or more are mandated to provide a safe place to store a folding, collapsible, or break-down manual wheelchair in the plane's cabin. Due to cargo storage space constraints in less than 100-seater aircraft, wheelchairs go underneath, says VTKillarne. 

To know whether your wheelchair will be acceptable on an airline due to its size, check the exact size limits for that particular airline. The size of a wheelchair is determined when it is folded, disassembled, or modified.

ii) Wheelchair Weight 

Under the U.S. laws on assistive devices, which include wheelchairs in airplanes, no individual should be discriminated against due to disability. Even with this rule, airlines have set the weight of wheelchairs you can take on a flight. 

These airlines have set wheelchair weight limits according to the airline's specific door dimensions and cargo floor weight as established by the aircraft manufacturer. These restrictions were established by John Morris and documented on his Wheelchair Travel website.

If your powered wheelchair is heavier than what airlines write on their placards “Weight Allowable”, you can reduce the wheelchair’s weight by removing the battery and other detachable features.

iii) Wheelchair Type and Design

Is your wheelchair standard manual, battery-powered, electric, foldable, compact, or bulky? The U.S. Department of Transportation has outlined that individuals with collapsible or break-down wheelchairs should be stowed under the seat, in the overhead cabin, or in a designated wheelchair area if it fits.

According to the U.S DOT, only manual wheelchairs can be transported in the cabin of the aircraft.

Collapsible wheelchairs have priority for in-cabin storage space over other passengers’ items onboard. And if it’s an on-board wheelchair, its seat height must align with the aircraft seat, states the Legal Information Institute. 

iv) Battery-Powered Wheelchairs 

Battery-powered wheelchairs are acceptable on airlines. If your wheelchair is battery-powered, it’ll be stowed in the cargo area of the aircraft. Once you’ve alighted, the airline must promptly return the wheelchair as close as possible to the aircraft door.

Damaged or leaking batteries cannot be transported. For spillable batteries that cannot be safely secured upright on the wheelchair, the battery is removed and packed separately.

As for lithium-ion battery wheelchairs, the battery is removed, and the battery terminals are protected to prevent a short circuit. 

Electric wheelchairs encompass those equipped with non-spillable or dry cell batteries, according to the FAA. The battery will remain in the wheelchair if safely secured on the flight.

Tips for Traveling with a Wheelchair on an Airline

You have the right to travel with a wheelchair on an airline. However, there are requirements you must comply with for your journey to be smooth. Because every airport and airline has different facilities, the law requires that you communicate with the airline as early as possible. 

Here’s what you should do when travelling with a wheelchair on a flight:

i) Wheelchair pre-boarding on flights tips 

First, contact the airline in advance and communicate your disability. The U.S DOT requires that you indicate whether you’ll need guided assistance or wheelchair assistance. 

If you cannot walk long distances, request an airport wheelchair in advance. You must also arrive 1 hour before the check-in time at the airport.

ii) Deplaning and airport assistance tips

Upon arrival, you should self-identify to the attendants as a passenger with disability who needs assistance. At the boarding gate, notify the airline personnel if you need assistance. 

Stay in your wheelchair until it's taken away from you if you can walk. In case you can’t walk, an aisle chair will be used to transport you to the airline seat. 

iii) Wheelchair in the aircraft

You should notify the airline crew of any assistance you need, including stowing or retrieving carry-on luggage. If you need wheelchair assistance to alight the flight, you should communicate, and assistance will be provided promptly. 

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The XSTO M4 Wheelchair is ideal for your travels since it's lightweight, foldable, quick to disassemble, and has a powerful motor to ride you on different grounds. Whether indoors or outdoors, you can adjust the wheelchair's height and tilt the chair for maximum comfort. On a full charge, the battery on the M4 wheelchair provides up to 17km. And in active mode, the battery takes 6-8 hours.

Conclusion 

Airlines have an obligation not to discriminate against any person with a disability. To avoid delays, get to know the maximum size and weight of a wheelchair the airline will accept. If the wheelchair design and model are acceptable, make a reservation with the airline. 

For easy complaint determination in case of damage, take photos and videos of the wheelchair, advice on Pro tips for the first time flying with a chair.