Tips for plane travel with a mobility-impaired person?

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Tips for plane travel with a mobility-impaired person?

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Looking for tips for managing air travel for a person who uses a walker (rollator). I know about arranging for a wheelchair in the airport and for getting on and off the plane, but how does the person manage the restroom on a long flight? How can they move up and down the aisle, given how narrow the aisles are on many planes? More important, how can they use the restroom itself? Airplane restrooms are difficult even for the able bodied! Wearing "adult" underwear I'm sure would be helpful in case of emergency, but far from ideal.

Difficulty Walking Mobility Travel

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The adult disposable underwear is the way to handle this.
A visit to the washroom before getting on the plane is a must.
You can assist getting them to the bathroom with the walker. Waiting outside the door with the walker might also be an option.
It may also depend on how long the flight is. If you take the "normal" bathroom routine is this person using the bathroom every 20 minutes? 45 minutes? can they go an hour without using the bathroom?
Hitting the bathroom just before the flight and as soon as you land might be the best way. Not sure if they get a person that has requested wheelchair assistance off first or last. That might be a good thing to ask.

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Also, do a trial run at home. Just to see how long the intervals are before having to use the bathroom. Start limiting fluids-of course not to the point of dehydration, be mindful of how much is being drunk and see if it's possible to reduce the fluids enough to limit bathroom visits. As well as no tea or coffee-diuretics!

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I'm not sure a walker fits down an airplane aisle... can they use a cane? You'll have to figure out if you should walk in front of or behind them because once you're in motion you won't be able to switch.

And you definitely won't be able to fit in the plane's washroom to help. I don't think keeping the door ajar is an option but you can wait outside. Limit their liquids before and during the flight and outfit them with a very absorbent brief. Make sure they are in the middle seat and you're in the aisle seat...it's too tight a fit to scoot towards the window. Or, they are in the aisle seat and you are in the aisle seat on the opposite side across the aisle. FYI the arm of the aisle seat does go up if you feel underneath it towards the back.

Most of all, pay for a direct flight.

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Another point might be that as most airlines have 3 seats in a row, perhaps book all three seats. Otherwise, the window seat passenger may need to get up which would mean having to get up and step into the aisle to accommodate.

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Call the airline in advance. They will provide:
Passengers who are non-ambulatory can still fly, but they’ll need help getting to and from their seat on the airplane. The aisle chair (also referred to as a straight back or high back) is a small wheelchair that is used to transport immobile passengers from their own wheelchair to a seat on the airplane. Aisle chairs are used during enplaning and deplaning, and can also be used during the flight to access the lavatory.

Stay home if possible. You may have real trouble if anyone in your party gets Covid on your trip, and cannot return home.

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I recommend flying business or first class.

You will have space, I don't think a person that is mobility challenged can get in the ridiculously small coach seats. You have to shuffle sideways to get in them.

Call the airline that you are flying and ask to speak with someone to help you maneuver this trip. They are usually super helpful, they want you to have a good flight. Ask about a mobility ride, they can transport you on a golfcart.

Ask the flight attendant in flight to confirm the wheelchair/transport, them not being there is fairly common, it is the airport that does this, not the airline.

I would think that the small bathroom would actually be convenient for someone using a walker. I have seen flight attendant holding up a blanket at the bathroom, perhaps it was someone needing help, I didn't pay attention to who came out.

Best luck for a successful flight.

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Definitely fly first-class. It is impossible for someone to get around coach with a walker.

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I would call the airline for advice. If she can't walk without her rollator, could be a problem. Can you drive instead? Adult underwear are not going to be able to necessarily hold all the stuff that should be going in the toilet. What if she wets herself? For me, I think it sounds like a lot of stress.

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Be aware , if your flight is cancelled or changed, update your need for wheelchair assistance. Ask for the bulkhead seat if you don’t book first class.. a gait belt might be of assistance. Don’t tip your porter until the end of their service.
I wish you well .
I moved my mother from Arizona to Wisconsin. Had first class booked with need of wheelchair to her seat. Flight was canceled. I had to spend a 3rd night in a hotel with her. The whole trip was beyond difficult.
the rebooked flight was canceled as well was lucky to get out . (They put us in the bulkhead seats , which was fantastic along with the stewardess)

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Thanks so much everyone for the information and advice. We have no immediate plans for any flights, but I was thinking ahead to a time when Covid has lessened and travel is safer. Certainly driving is the best option, but might be less desirable if it's a long enough distance to require a multi-day trip.

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Along with wearing the "disposable briefs" it really helps to add a thick pad. This way you don't have to change everything but only the pad unless both the pad and the briefs are soiled. I do this even traveling by car. If the person wears long or even short pants you have to remove everything to change the briefs. I have found "pull ups" that tear away at the side then have tabs to refasten worked well. These could be used without removing the outside pants. If they don't normally wear briefs, I would try some before you leave home to see how well they fit and how well they hold up once soiled. I have found the one with tabs so not work as well with a person who is mobile.

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I had the same questions with my mom. So I called Southwest the airline that I used. This is what we did;
An airline representative met me at the door with a wheelchair and pushed her to checkin. We checked in her walker and luggage etc.
He then pushed her in the wheelchair to the gate, we all followed as we were traveling with her.
When boarding the plane, they have a skinny chair on wheels that fits through the aisle of the plane, so when it was time to board, she went from the wheelchair to the skinny chair and they pushed down the plane aisle to her seat.
She can stand and walk, but can't walk without assistance. Hope this helps.

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I have Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia which is a degenerative upper motor neuron disease which affects my mobility. I have flown several times.

When you purchase your tickets, try to always get a direct flight. Always tell the airline you are traveling with a mobility impaired person and you will get priority boarding. (BTW, use a wheelchair through the airport! Going through security, is easy. TSA will take everything and usher you to a special screening where the person in the wheelchair doesn’t need to take off their shoes! Southwest’s TSA PRECHECK
is a great idea if possible.)

RR before flight boards is essential! I try to only fly 3 hours or less. Limit liquid intake during flight. (Wear support socks and stretch often to avoid leg cramps. You’ll need to do this even though you’re in a car!)

You will be able to take the wheelchair right up to the plane. You will be able to use the airplane’s aisle transport chair or walk with help from caregiver or flight attendants. They will seat you automatically at the bulkhead anyway. I usually choose the aisle for the added legroom for my braces.

Wear a disposable brief with a thick pad, too. If you can’t walk at all, the airplane’s lavatory is impossible. I use the RR as soon as I get off the plane before going to claim the luggage!

I’m always the last to deplane. It gives the airline time to bring up my wheelchair from the cargo or have one delivered. Then I can deplane at my own unhurried pace. The flight crew is always good at helping me.

If taking a car, stop often to use RR and stretch.

The biggest takeaway is don’t be afraid of traveling—just be prepared.

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Excellent advice, especially since it's based on experience.

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I am surprised the Americans with Disabilities organization hasn't made it a requirement for a handicapped accessible bathroom be required on all flights. Of course then you would have nasty people wanting to have sex in it like some do on the regular bathroom facilities on planes. Which is just beyond gross. So better off not offering that as an option.

Sounds like an adult diaper would be the way to go. Not ideal but very practical in this situation.

Did you know many of the people who go to times square on new years eve to watch the ball drop in person where adult diapers because there is no bathroom options.

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Unless this person has a BM in their adult brief and the entire plane has to withstand the stench for the duration. Times Square is a different situation.

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"Certainly driving is the best option, but might be less desirable if it's a long enough distance to require a multi-day trip."

Depending on the individual's health, ability to tolerate driving, whether or not you can afford a motor home, mental cognizance, other physical or mental issues...the trip could actually be turned into a vacation. It would involve stopping along the way, but over the years I've found those stops are necessary reliefs just from the tedium of traveling, especially on freeways and areas that aren't scenic.

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We had that situation with my dad years ago. Mobility can be managed with the on-flight wheel chair, unless the person is morbidly obese. Do not fly on long flights with someone who cannot manage in the lavatory by themselves. The last time we took him on a trip Dad had an accidental bowel movement. He was wearing depends, but due to the smell he had to be cleaned up mid flight. It was beyond challenging. The lavatory had to be closed afterwards. This flight was less than 3 hours. Incontinence is a more serious issue for flying.

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Having had 3 rounds with a walker myself, I wonder whether your LO could begin to 'practice' walking safely in a narrow space using Two Canes; in other words, try to get creative. Perhaps there's a narrow hallway or a similar space can be set up for practice sessions ahead of the trip. And even practice dealing with that cramped airplane toilet; canes, or even hiking walking sticks (which can collapse to manageable length when not in use), are easier to adapt to different types of 'terrain' but might need practice to develop confidence using them for such a situation. Your LO could rely on the seatbacks as a steadying support along the aisle, a kind of built-in 'bumper' and I'm sure other passengers would understand if not jostled too much. And maybe a 'spotter' could be appointed to wait outside the toilet if a companion is flying with this person, to assist getting in and out efficiently? Hopefully LO's seat is not too far from cabin toilet; the adult 'diapers' would be good backup to ensure dignity.

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Call to do the ticket reservation so you can actually talk to someone about traveling with limited mobility person. I would not take the rollator on the plane. Ask to have a wheelchair ready when to get to departure drop off area at airport. All movement in the airport will be in the wheelchair. For designated seating, airlines have a skinny chair to get you down aisle (with early boarding). For anywhere seating like SW, you will get boarded first (tell them at check in). Then you'll grab first seat or so at the very front of the plane.

As for toileting - how often does your person have to go to the bathroom? Time your flight according to that. Use restroom shortly before boarding begins. Then add depends or other incontinence pads for safety sake. If the problem is with uncontrolled BM's, things could get a little more problematic. Person can't get into or stay balanced in the restroom alone, so won't be able to get in there. Should there be a BM, you're going to create stench that others can't deal with. If it's only a pee issue, you should be able to work with that.

How about taking a train? Getting a little room is more expensive, but would be much easier if the restroom is a serious issue.

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Most planes have very narrow wheelchairs for use in moving patients. Call the airlines to see what accommodations they can help with.

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I flew with my Mom once. Talked with the airline ahead of time. Did everything that was recommended. It was horrible and I know many were inconvenienced by my mom. I rented a car and drove home - almost 2000 miles. I never took her more than a two hour car ride after that. It was horrible. Trying to deal with bathrooms, the rollator, mom's stuff, etc. It was no vacation...

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Sounds horrible. I was thinking the short answer to how to do this is: DON'T.

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Unless this is a very necessary flight, it is best to stay home and use Zoom to connect. Mobile issues, plus any incontinence, are difficult enough to deal with, let alone our COVID times.

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If you do fly, apply for a TSA 'pre-check' before you go. It costs too much but then you save lots of time and don't have to wait in line for hours. Also, TSA now does NOT require persons over 65 to take their shoes off regardless of whether they have a 'pre-check' or not.

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My husband who uses a walker and I have flown several times and there is no problem.
Ask for a seat near a lavatory explaining his walking difficulty. My husband who is thin uses the seat backs to walk the aisle but there are extra slim airline walkers for those who cannot do it by the back of the seats. Write his name and phone number on the walker. Good traveling

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What brand slim airline walkers do you have? I'm looking for walker that would fit on the aisle. I'm travelling soon with my mobility impaired mother in law and this would be a great help.

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I can't imagine where he MUST GO and that is has to be by plane. I would never, ever attempt to fly due to the confinement and limited spaces - I am handicapped and would never again fly. I would find another way.

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newbiewife: Although airlines can accommodate a passenger with health issues by boarding and deplaning ahead of time, having specialized assistance from the flight attendants, etc., the problem of using a walker or a Rollator on an airplane (a no) and toileting assist for a passenger who is not mobile still exists. I suggest that the individual not fly in an airplane. If they were to wear an adult diaper, it may be quite uncomfortable not only for the wearer, but the other passengers IF the wearer has to 'use' the diaper (defecation) as a toilet in flight.

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The secret do all travel as a person Mobility impaired is as follows:
1. Define immobility issues of the passenger,
2. contact a carrier ask or a written list of the procedures that are available so a Mobility impaired individual,
3. make a list of the procedures it will have to be followed by a Mobility impaired 4. for instance many carriers provide free or reduced fares for the caregiver of the impaired if so, contact the carrier and register as a support person or caregiver to the mobility impaired individual
5. book the tickets. It helps to ask the individual doing to booking what is available for the Mobility impaired person and or their caregiver
6. on any trip remember the pills, lotions and medical support equipment required by impaired person EX Walker, cane, wheelchair, neck support and a wool blanket
.7 I am impaired, when I take a trip by train the caregiver travels at no expense you can be met at the handicap drop of by a carrier staff member who will accompany you through all of the barriers and Security checks to facilitate you're smooth travel if arranged in advance
it is that easy with the prearranged help of the carrier. Do not innovate unless help is no forthcoming

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I like the train idea. Good thought.

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I had the experience of flying (in coach, cause I'm cheap) and an elderly gent flying with his daughter(?) had a masssive fecal blowout. I'm like, 2 rows behind him. HE was mortified, his daughter was, the plane was a stinking toilet for the rest of the 2 hr flight and they went in to the bathroom and did not come out for ages. I don't know HOW they managed a cleanup in that tiny space. He came out with a blanket wrapped around him and was last to de-plane.

People were gagging from the smell, and I admit I was one. I mean, we all tried to be kind, b/c in the back of minds there's this 'this could be me!' but it was awful.

They did give us extra cookies, but really, nobody felt like eating.

I would go first class only if I had this situation. Planes seem to be smaller and smaller. What is now first class was business class just a few years ago.

Sometimes we just have to face the fact that flying, although so much faster, is not the best route. Mom wanted to see her OB one last time and even though the flight was 75 minutes start to finish, she was terrified she'd have and accident. We ended up just not going. OS and I had 1st class seats and we'd planned this trip to the nth degree, but the fear of offending others on the plane made mom pull out at the last minute.

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God bless your Mom!!

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Personally, I would like to know more about your planned trip. If you have the time, and resources, I would rent a small RV. You can stop anywhere, any time and take your time to use the facilities. Can they just hang on to the backs of each aisle seats? Can they keep standing up if the plane hits an air "bump"? I don't think you can take a walker on the plane. I think it has to be checked. If you must make the trip, call the airlines and go for a direct flight.

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As I view the situation you have two situations happening simultaneously. Mobility impairment alone does not particularly impact air travel. The expectation that your loved one would have to use a plane toilet DOES impact air travel. The expectation that the plane toilet might be needed is an indicator of incontinence. Anyone with incontinence - regardless of mobility - could be very uncomfortable on a plane.

I encourage you to focus on the crux of the problem (incontinence) to help you plan any upcoming activities which might be: a sporting event with a long line to the bathroom, a busy restaurant with few toilets, or traveling by car in remote areas without access to convenient facilities.
Focus on any medical reasons for the incontinence and work with a Dr to see if it can be fixed.

Use good bathroom hygiene consistently at home (including adult diapers, wipes, etc) to be confident that your loved one uses these things appropriately when outside the home. Too many families think the depends is a quick fix for just special events and find the senior rejects or doesn't use the product when it is needed.

Finally, don't get distracted by the most overt sign of aging, the mobility. Focus on the most critical needs. In this case, it is the incontinence.

Accepting that there may come a time when you simply cannot do what you once did is a part of the aging process. Living a long life is a blessing despite the changes it necessitates.

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Tips for plane travel with a mobility-impaired person?

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