An Inside Look at Air Travel for People Who Use Wheelchairs

For passengers who use wheelchairs, air travel is a complicated, frustrating, and sometimes even dangerous process. This video outlines the challenges that some passengers face throughout every step of their air travel journey.
For additional resources, please be sure to check out the links below.
⚫️ To learn more about the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), check out this PVA Myths v Facts pva.org/wp-con... and/or our ACAA resource page pva.org/resear....
⚫️ Click on this link to read some of the PVA Air Travel Stories featured throughout this video and more: air-access.org....
⚫️ Wondering what to do when facing a disability-related travel incident? Download this PVA Disability Complaint Reminder Card: pva.org/wp-con....
⚫️ To see step-by-step instructions for airport arrival, screening, exiting the plane and more, download this PVA Air Travel Checklist: pva.org/wp-con...
⚫️ As the leading advocate for Veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders, and all people with disabilities, PVA is interested in the stories of people with all types of disabilities. Submit your story and help PVA improve air travel for passengers with disabilities: air-access.org....

[@beverlyjohnson8702]

Just came back from a flight. Witnessed first hand the difficulties for 3 people requiring wheelchairs. The issues need attention.

[@Willowfire26]

This was highly depressing. Why can't people without disability understand that there others ,though, disabled, that would like to live life too. They do not want to live their lives in a box hidden away. I understand that there are some challenges when making things accessible to all but, they should try.

[@andypaulocelli109]

Most people don't care about disabled people because it doesn't effect them..I'm disabled...it's how I know

[@reisenmitrolli]

@Ryanair @Lufthansa

[@patricianorman7493]

You have painted an extremely unattractive picture of traveling with a wheelchair. I don’t know how old this video clip is, but please go back and update it more accurately. Also. ALL WHEELCHAIR USERS SHOULD REFUSE TO DEPLANE UNTIL THEY ARE ASSURED THAT THEIR WHEELCHAIR IS WAITING JUST OUTSIDE THE DOOR FOR THEM. Once you will have the plain they are no longer responsible for you or your wheelchair and you don’t want to be stuck somewhere without it

[@nicholaslawrence84]

This video would be more helpful if it provided suggestions on the best way to try to overcome some of the barriers (even though even with the best planning success may not always be possible)

[@mariomota45]

Beware that wheelchair handlers in Heathrow are not properly trained to lift passengers from wheelchair onto the aircraft. Very hazardous for those who cannot walk or stand on their own. These wheelchair handlers are quite rude most of the time and la Jed empathy towards passengers of extreme need. They use a sling to lift up disabled passengers without consider that not all disabilities are the same. Had more than four times the same problem. Please get rid of the sling as the old procedure was the best.

[@emeraldkimble7602]

I use diapers

[@emeraldkimble7602]

Ferries like doveruk calaisfrNce hVe flush Accesxibke potties

[@elizabethdonaldson4596]

This video doesn't really tell you how to do it, it's kinda depressing and demotivating to be honest. This absolutely does need attention and disabled people are an afterthought but unfortunately the people who need to see this, the able bodied people who could do something about it; won't see it, and it will be the people who are looking for information on how to fly (wheelchair users) that will see this and get depressed...

[@katheryngoldean9678]

Yup. Trying to figure out transport for my father, a disabled veteran. The alternative is driving 5 days across the country, which has far too many variables and difficulties. I was looking for an informative and helpful guide, but this would just make his anxiety worse. Extremely disappointed in whoever made this video. I understand the need for realistic expectations, but this is unnecessarily pessimistic for people who have no other options.

[@l.donaldson4223]

It’s interesting this is coming up today because we just drove 18 hours to avoid a plane trip (yesterday and the day before) and I had forgotten about this video.

[@louiesaucke521]

I've been in a wheelchair all my life and I have never flown. Mainly did for this reason not to mention, the uncomfortable position I would be in for numerous hours. I may be able to handle 1 hour or 2 but anything past that, I would definitely be in pain. That has got to be some kind of give somewhere

[@susan-1love]

No restroom trips for me 😳🥲☹️air travel sucked today!!!

[@JohnRobertMallernee]

There's two reasons I will never fly again. First, I won't allow some sexual deviant from the TSA to "feel me up". Second, I think all passengers have a God-given right to carry loaded firearms. After all, airline pilots and air marshals are permitted to carry firearms, so obviously, firearms are not hazardous to flights, and disabled war veterans have had extensive firearms safety training.