Flying with a wheelchair is an experience which can be different every time and for everyone. Luckily for me, my experiences have been relatively positive as my wheelchair has always made it to the destination and has been usable.

Planning and Booking

Flying can be stressful for anyone but with extra equipment such as wheelchairs and/or other things it can be even more stressful. It takes a lot of planning and preparation, especially for overseas trips, so unfortunately I can’t just jump on a plane spontaneously. Booking directly with the airline is easier as you can select the assistance you require. I have booked through websites such as WebJet and it does not have this option, so you need to contact the airline directly. It is very handy to know the dimensions of your equipment as they will ask you either prior to your trip or at check-in.

Check-in

Check-in is the most nerve wracking for me as I never know how it is going to go and whether the staff are knowledgeable or not. Some are amazing and some are not as amazing. Sometimes I feel like staff make their own rules but luckily I have travelled a lot so when I feel like it, I’ll question them. The biggest thing is having my wheelchair until the gate. This is relatively essential for me as airport wheelchairs do not have the support I need and often lack working seatbelts, so I end up basically lying down. Luckily, I have only been in this situation a couple of times because now I just tell them that I will fall out of their wheelchair and that I always fly and haven’t had an issue before with taking my wheelchair to the gate.

Security

Security is also an experience that you never know what it will be like, although I always find this part quite amusing. Obviously, I set the scanner off, so they take me around and do a pat down which can be anything from a full pat down with shoes off, to just checking under my chair, to drug swabs, to getting a dog to come and check I’m not concealing anything. This one always makes me laugh because I just wonder who would pretend to be disabled or pay a disabled person to smuggle drugs, but I’m sure there are people out there who have.

Boarding and Landing

Boarding on and off the plane is physically challenging for my support person but walking me is easier than using an aisle chair because once again, I often end up lying down or half falling off. I board first and get off last so I have more time. This is when I pray that my wheelchair makes it on the plane and gets to the other end and in one piece! I have had missing foot plates and arm supports but luckily so far this is the worst. At the other end, they often bring my wheelchair to the door, otherwise it will be with the oversized luggage. Even though inconvenient, I often don’t mind this too much because I just want to get off the plane and five minutes in an airport wheelchair is more doable than an hour or more.

Arriving and Getting Around

At the other end, depending on where I’m going or what wheelchair I’m in (manual or power), things are straightforward once I get back in my wheelchair. Last year I went to Sydney in my power wheelchair and it was surprisingly easy once I got my wheelchair, although that took a while and I was starting to panic. This was the first international trip with my power wheelchair so I had to do a little more preparation such as airline paperwork and booking an accessible rental car. We did delay the flight coming home because they somehow didn’t know how to fit my wheelchair through the cargo door, but they did it with the help of my fiancée which was quite funny.

Final Thoughts

That’s the basics of my experience travelling with a wheelchair. If you have any tips or questions, I’d love to hear them!

About the Author

I am a born and raised young New Zealand Māori woman. I was born with cerebral palsy which affects my muscles but not my mind. I am just like any other young person who has dreams, aspirations and enjoys having fun. I am in my fourth year at the University of Auckland studying Criminology and Māori Studies with dreams of one day working in the justice system. I have a YouTube channel called Wheely Wacky Adventures where my friend Leah and I share videos of our adventures such as skydiving and bungy jumping just to name a couple. I am full of life and ready to take on what comes for me.