How do wheelchair users get on the airplane?
Passengers who are non-ambulatory can still fly, but they’ll need help getting to and from their seat on the airplane. The aisle chair (also referred to as a straight back or high back) is a small wheelchair that is used to transport immobile passengers from their own wheelchair to a seat on the airplane. Aisle chairs are used during enplaning and deplaning, and can also be used during the flight to access the lavatory.
When you are making your flight reservation, be sure to notify the airline of any special assistance requests. If you cannot walk, they’ll need to organize assistance and an aisle chair for your convenience. On the day of travel, present yourself to the gate agent and remind him/her that you will require preboarding assistance and use of the aisle chair.
Once your boarding pass has been scanned, you’ll proceed down the jetbridge to the door of the aircraft. Aisle chairs are parked alongside the passenger’s own wheelchair to allow for an easy side-to-side transfer. If you are unable to perform the transfer yourself, the wheelchair assistance contractors are able to lift you into the aisle chair. In the photo above, [...]