Can Electric Wheelchairs Be Taken on Airplanes?

Can electric wheelchairs be carried on airplanes? If so, what requirements need to be met? In this article, JBH will answer the questions for you.

Most airlines allow electric wheelchairs to be carried, but the specific acceptance conditions, procedures and relevant regulations vary from airline to airline. Therefore, understanding and complying with relevant requirements is crucial to ensure a smooth flight.

Safety is the primary factor considered by airlines. Because electric wheelchairs contain lithium batteries, there are certain safety risks. Airlines usually require passengers to remove the batteries from the wheelchair and carry them as carry-on baggage. The main part of the electric wheelchair needs to be checked in and should be properly packaged to prevent damage.

Each airline has clear restrictions on the capacity of the battery, usually not exceeding 300 watt-hours （Wh）。 Batteries exceeding this capacity may be refused to be carried or checked in. Passengers should consult the airline's specific policy on electric wheelchair batteries before booking a ticket.

Confirm the situation with the airline

1. Notify the airline in advance: Before purchasing a ticket or before departure, be sure to contact the airline to inform them that you need to carry an electric wheelchair. They will provide you with relevant information and assistance.

2. Type of electric wheelchair: Different types of electric wheelchairs may have different regulations. Folding electric wheelchairs are usually easier to take on airplanes.

3. Battery regulations: Since batteries are a key part of electric wheelchairs, airlines may have restrictions on battery types, capacities, and quantities. Make sure your batteries meet the airline's requirements.

4. Documents and licenses: Some airlines may require you to provide relevant medical certificates or other documents to confirm that you need to carry an electric wheelchair.

5. Boarding and storage: Usually, electric wheelchairs can be handed over to staff at the boarding gate, who will be responsible for properly storing them. At your destination, you can retrieve your electric wheelchair at the boarding gate or at the baggage carousel.

Special passengers feel warm when traveling

Accessibility facilities in public places are no longer what they used to be, especially in places like airports, where accessible service details are everywhere. The reporter learned that high and low-level clothes hooks are configured in the special toilets at the Capital Airport; a crutch clip is set up on the side of the sink near the toilet to place passengers' crutches, umbrellas and other personal belongings; even the flushing device of the toilet adopts a combination of back wall induction and side wall press.

In addition to the service experience upgrade brought by these hardware equipment, for passengers with special needs, the humanistic care from the ground to the air is also the key to a smooth and pleasant journey.

Now most domestic airports have "love counters". Wheelchair passengers need to go to the departure hall at least two hours in advance on the day of the flight to check in. The staff will provide check-in, seat selection, free wheelchair collection and other services according to the carrier's requirements for passengers. After completing the relevant procedures, the airport staff will guide and assist wheelchair passengers to pass security checks, and send passengers to the boarding gate to hand over to the airline crew.

Although most airlines are open to carrying electric wheelchairs, it is still recommended that passengers state their needs when booking tickets and communicate with the airline before traveling to ensure a smooth journey. In addition, it is also necessary to understand the facilities and services of the destination airport, such as whether there is a rental service for electric wheelchairs.

When preparing to take an electric wheelchair on a plane, be sure to keep the above points in mind and carefully follow the regulations of the airline. In this way, for passengers with limited mobility, it can not only ensure the comfort and safety of the journey, but also make the flight experience more worry-free.

Electric wheelchairs can be carried on aircraft as long as they meet certain safety and service standards. With advance preparation and good communication with the airline, passengers using electric wheelchairs can also enjoy a convenient and comfortable flight journey.