Although
they say to travel while you’re young and able, nowadays there’s no reason why
older people can’t enjoy the same experiences abroad as younger travellers.
Fortunately, airports and airlines are cottoning on and are working on making
air travel much simpler for all.
Here are our
top tips for navigating the airport experience as an elderly person with
mobility issues:
Let your airline know
Firstly,
make sure you’ve let your airline know about your mobility issues at least 48
hours before you fly. This way, they can ensure the departure and arrival
destinations know that you’ll need a bit of extra help whilst you travel. Of
course, different airports have different facilities but generally, a special
assistance service includes features like fast track security, assistance
carrying luggage and an allocated seat on the plane, free of charge. You may
also be able to get an escort service if you’re travelling alone.
Rent a wheelchair
If you don’t
need a wheelchair all the time, but you struggle with mobility nonetheless,
renting a wheelchair once you arrive at the airport can truly save the day. The
amount of standing and walking required at airports is often underestimated;
there’s a lot of waiting around in queues, as well as rushing between gates. This
can challenge the stamina of even the most seasoned travellers, but renting a
wheelchair will take the stress away and reassure you that you won’t burn out
before you’ve even taken off.
Check in your mobility equipment
On the other
hand, if you already have a wheelchair or mobility scooter, you’ll want to
ensure you can bring it with you, wherever you’re going. In the UK you can
check up to two items of mobility equipment free of charge, including
wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Just make sure you let the airline know the
make, model, weight and size of your equipment so they can accommodate it in
the hold.
Use online check-in
It’s common
knowledge that using the online check-in service that most airlines now offer
is the most efficient way to travel. However, if you’re not particularly tech
savvy this can feel daunting and you may lean towards doing it the old
fashioned way. Why not ask someone who is clued up to help you check in online?
It will save you time at the airport and also means less time standing in
queues!
At Alfix
Stairlifts, we want to ensure our customers feel safe and comfortable at all
times, wherever they are. That’s why we supply high-quality stairlifts as
permanent fixtures in the home, as well as stairlift rental
for customers who are
holidaying away. To speak to a member of our team about your specific
requirements, contact
us today.
