THE ALLGOHERE AIRLINE DIRECTORY - IMPORTANT NOTES

• All airlines offer a "meet and assist" service and can provide a loan wheelchair (on request) for use at airports. They also prefer passengers with disabilities ensuring they check in early so that they can be pre-boarded. Assistance buggies are also available within most airports - these usually have to be hailed and a tip sometimes paid to their drivers. The buggies are usually the responsibility of the airport, not the airlines.
  
  
• For security purposes as well as personal comfort, if a passenger needs to carry medication for use either during the flight or their trip, they are strongly advised to carry it together with relevant medical certification, as part of their hand luggage.
  
  
• Where applicable, asthmatics and diabetics are advised to consider having the use of a nebulizer/other medical equipment available on board the aircraft as standard inhalers tend to be ineffective during flight. Most major airlines allow such dry cell battery/manually operated equipment to be transported free of charge.
  
  
• Crutches, canes, braces and small removable parts of wheelchairs (i.e. foot rests) may usually be carried as part of a passenger's hand luggage provided these items are properly stowed in the cabin for safety purposes.
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• Where indicated, standard averagely sized, collapsible wheelchairs/electric wheelchairs with dry/wet cell batteries are normally carried free of charge and not taken into consideration as part of the passenger's personal baggage allowance. If a battery operated wheelchair is being transported, the using passenger is advised to take its assembly instructions with them as dismantling of the wheelchair is likely to be a necessity of carriage. It should also be noted that aviation regulations usually prohibit battery operated wheelchairs being transported by two different airlines as part of the same journey.
  
  
• Where indicated, carriage of guide dogs (often also referred to as service dogs/animals) is always subject to quarantine regulations where applicable and having obtained the correct prior veterinary certification. Carriage of guide dogs is usually free of charge, and is normally regarded as being distinct from the carriage of pets.
  
  
• Where indicated, the provision of oxygen (for therapeutic/medical use) is normally subject to a charge (usually per bottle) which varies between airlines. The airlines usually insist on the passenger using oxygen supplied solely by them, and need to be advised on flow rate required. At least 48 hours notice, together with medical clearance is usually required.
  
  
• The carriage of a passenger's own empty oxygen cylinders (for filling and use at the destination) is allowed aboard most airlines. However, the passenger must be able to prove conclusively to airport check-in staff that the cylinders are completely empty immediately prior to boarding/loading. The carriage of oxygen canisters, empty or otherwise, is strictly prohibited aboard aircrafts on safety grounds.
  
  
• Where indicated, cabin staff are disability trained in terms of being able to assist in basic needs or movement to and from the toilet for example, but cannot assist beyond that point, or generally with more personal needs primarily for insurance reasons.
  
  
• Where indicated, carriage of stretchers is always chargeable and subject to accompanying medical supervision. Medical clearance is obligatory for stretcher passengers prior to flying. Carriage of a stretcher normally necessitates the purchase of the 6-9 seats occupied as a result.
  

You may also be interested to know that since June 2000, all airlines flying into the United States have had to comply with the disability non-discrimination provisions of the Air Carrier Access Act 1986. Further information can be obtained from the US Department of Transportation.

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