As someone who genuinely loves flying, the whole airport experience, from check-in to take-off, is a source of excitement for me, even before the holiday begins. I often receive puzzled looks when I tell people this. I fully appreciate that my experience with travel will be very different to my clients and their families. Before they even arrive at the airport, planning the trip will often have been intense and at times overwhelming. I often see passengers with physical and hidden disabilities in airports and reflect on how their journey is likely to feel so very different to mine. Planning a first-ever holiday for a client I have recently been involved with arranging a holiday for a wonderful client and her family. She is 20 years old and has never been on holiday before, in the UK or abroad. I am passionate about making this holiday as smooth as possible for them all. The planning has been detailed and collaborative, involving myself, the Deputy, the client’s OT and case manager, and even my son who works in airport operations (more on him later!) It took the family many years to even consider a holiday, and we have already had several attempts at planning trips that unfortunately didn’t come together. So, the day we finally booked and paid for this holiday felt like a career highlight for me. I know how much it means for my client, but also her younger siblings whose lives are shaped by their older sister’s disability. Creating a visual guide to ease anxiety While the airport experience and journey from arrival to take-off is something I would do without thinking twice about each stage, for my client and her family this is completely new. Not knowing what to expect can cause a lot of anxiety, so one Saturday morning I sat down and created a visual booklet of the entire journey, taking them through every stage from leaving their home to arrival at their hotel in Dubai. The booklet sets out the check in process, sticking labels on suitcases, going through security (highlighting how noisy and busy it can be), the airport lounge, crossing the air bridge to the aircraft and how the client will be transferred to her seat, landing in Dubai and passing through immigration, and then finally arriving at their hotel to begin their amazing holiday. By the time I had finished it I felt like I was going on the trip too. Supporting the whole family I posted a copy to my client, along with another two copies for her younger siblings. I also wanted the siblings to feel calm as they travel and to know each step of the process, as it is so important that they can enjoy every part of the experience too. I was so touched when I later received a lovely phone call from my client’s siblings, saying that they loved the booklet and that they have read it to their sister. This made my day. Expert advice from airport operations My son is partly responsible for my love of flying, as he has been passionate about aircraft since a very young age. As I mentioned above, he now works in airport operations, so I turned to him for some expert advice on travelling with a disability, particularly in a wheelchair. Here are some of the questions I asked him: What is your advice on travelling with a wheelchair when checking-in for a flight? Giving the airline as much information as possible is extremely important. If you are using an electric wheelchair, it is critical to come with a record of the type of battery and dimensions of the chair. Can you give me any tips for boarding the plane? Always arrive early to your gate. If your boarding pass says to arrive one hour before departure, make every effort to try and be there at that time or slightly before. This allows airport staff to ensure the wheelchair user can access the aircraft comfortably and safely before general boarding commences, which can become very hectic. What would be your main tip for travelling through an airport with a disability? Communication with the airline and airport staff is critical. It is important to discuss your needs with the airline in advance, and also to arrange a medical sign-off form (if required) to confirm you are fit to fly. Airline staff have to ask many questions at check-in, which can feel intrusive at times. They must ensure that all relevant information is collected in order to have the right resources organised for the customer and to ensure safety for all passengers. In-flight tips from a former cabin crew member Another member of our team was cabin crew for many years and she has also shared some valuable tips for the flight: Communicate with the crew when boarding the aircraft – give them as much information as possible. If oxygen is required, always check with the airline well in advance and pre-book. Some airlines allow passengers to bring their own oxygen, whilst others do not. She also explained that cabin crew can offer a range of assistance onboard. For example, they can help arrange meals differently, open packets, and support someone along the aisle who may need a steadying hand. If a passenger is visually impaired, the crew can guide them during boarding by touching and counting the number of seats to their allocated seat – enabling them to move independently during the flight if they wish. Cabin crew are highly trained. Before they begin their role, they complete comprehensive medical training and must complete and pass refresher training every year. I now can’t wait to see a picture of my client and her family on holiday. Of course, I will definitely be checking their aircraft leaves as scheduled on the Plane Finder app first. Get in touch If you’re supporting a loved one with a disability and would like guidance on travel planning or any other aspect of Court of Protection support, feel free to contact our experienced team at: courtofprotection@boyesturner.com.
