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Important Tips for Flying with a Wheelchair to Ease Your Travel

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You want to cover your journey peacefully without any hindrance whenever you travel. For that to happen, proper planning is necessary. If a person is physically disabled or carrying specific medical equipment, then special care needs to be taken of certain things, which will help ensure a smooth journey. In this blog, we will discuss tips for flying with a wheelchair which will help ease your travel. Also, no matter whether you travel to which part of the world, it is advisable to have travel medical insurance.

1. Take your seat cushion with you on the plane

Take your cushion off the seat before your wheelchair is stored for the flight. Then, you can sit on it during the flight. This will help you with positioning and comfort, which is especially important for people at risk for pressure ulcers. It will also lower the risk of your cushion getting lost or damaged in the cargo area.

2. Label your chair

It is less likely that your wheelchair will get lost; however, it is advisable to label your chair for a safer reason. First, find a secure place for the label where it doesn't get torn off. Then put another tag, sticker, or piece of tape on that area. Include your name and phone number in the information.

3. Arrive early

Ideally, travellers should preferably get to the airport about three hours ahead of an international flight. But when

travelling in a wheelchair, you should get there even earlier. A metal chair can take more time to get through security. And if you have bags of medical supplies or medications to search or check, that may add even more time.

4. Double-check the information on your tags

It is advisable to get a gate check label for your wheelchair, then make sure the information on your tag matches the information for your destination. Incorrect information on your tag can take your wheelchair to a different destination, which can land you in trouble.

5. Take off your side guards.

If your chair has side guards, you will want to remove them and take them on the plane. This is because side guards may get lost or damaged in the cargo area. This also goes for any other pieces of your chair that could get caught on things or detached.

6. Make an emergency repair kit

It is advisable to make a little kit for any repairs you might require to repair the wheelchair. You can keep duct tape, bubble wrap to protect your chair during the flight and replacement screws. If it is a power wheelchair, attach the manual to the chair while handling it to the crew.

7. Inform You Airline

Contact the customer care department of your airline and inform them about you flying with a wheelchair. They may ask questions about your chair's size and weight to know how best to stow it away during your flight. A manual wheelchair is typically more accessible than a power wheelchair because of the size and capacity differences. After you have spoken to them, they should have noted that you will need assistance in their system.

Conclusion

If you are flying with a wheelchair, then it is advisable to follow the above-mentioned tips for a smooth journey. Also, be sure to buy travel medical insurance for your trip, as it will secure your holiday from any financial losses that might incur due to an unfortunate event. You can opt for HDFC ERGO international travel insurance policy which comes with COVID-19 hospitalization.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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