Door to Door: a travel guide for disabled people

Going by air: Taking equipment with you

The 'conditions of carriage' of the majority of airlines allow for the free carriage of mobility aids. Larger items such as wheelchairs and, where allowed, pavement scooters have to be 'checked in' along with your luggage and put into the aircraft's hold, but smaller items such a walking canes can be taken into the cabin with you.

The DfT's Code of Practice states that the new European Union regulation specifies:

"that an air carrier will permit the carriage of two items of mobility equipment free of charge. It is generally accepted that this means mobility equipment needed by the passenger for the purpose of the journey by air, for example a wheelchair and walking frame. Mobility equipment not essential for the journey that would normally be available for hire would not form part of the free allowance, for example, a motorised scooter being carried in addition to a motorised wheelchair. Air carriers should, however, consider, on a case by case basis, any requests for essential equipment needed by the passenger during his stay, for example a portable dialysis machine."

Restrictions apply to the carriage of powered vehicles. These involve the use of older wet-cell 'spillable' batteries. Where these are allowed to be taken in the hold, there are special packaging requirements.

Wet-cell batteries however are seldom fitted on the latest mobility equipment. Dry-cell gel batteries power most modern wheelchairs and scooters and these can be carried without any special arrangements being put in place (but check first that the airline will take them).

Powered chair users with older vehicles should check with the manufacturer or their dealer as to what type of power source they are using, as in some instances conversion to a gel battery may be possible.

The use of medical oxygen on aircraft is complicated because airlines have individual policies. Some will provide emergency medical oxygen free of charge. Others make a charge that is based on a percentage of the cost of the flight, or a set fee per journey. A very small number of operators will allow users of medical oxygen equipment to take their own equipment on board.

More information about travelling with equipment is given in the DPTAC publication 'Access to air travel: Guidance for disabled and less mobile passengers'.

The British Lung Foundation publish three booklets giving advice about air travel for people with a lung condition, who might need to use oxygen on the aircraft. "Air Travel with a Lung Condition", "Airline Oxygen Policies" and "Going on Holiday with a Lung Condition" can be found at: www.lunguk.org/supporting-you/Publications/orderpublications.htm.

There is an American website that has useful information on oxygen use on aircraft and some details of some larger airline's policies: www.breathineasy.com.

The Pulmonary Hypertension Association has produced a report on the policies towards, and charges for, passengers who need to use oxygen by airlines flying from Great Britain. It includes information on whether passengers are permitted to use their own portable oxygen concentrators on the flight. The information is based on a survey undertaken in October 2009 and is available on the Association's website at: www.phassociation.uk.com/living_with_ph/travel.asp (scroll down to "Airline Oxygen Charges"). The full report is also available on the Association's website.