Limit CW seats with direct access to Special Assistance pax
#16
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Gloucestershire
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My biggest concern with this idea is that the direct access window seats would be labelled "disabled friendly" when they're not - they might be for some but the major benefit they offer is that you don't have to climb over a footrest.
You still have to duck and twist and you can imagine the headlines and/or posts on here when a 6'6", 25-stone, 70-year-old who uses a cane/wheelchair tries to pour himself through the gap between the seat and the bulkhead.
I appreciate that there are people with sensory issues, etc. who might be able to benefit from those seats but they would be much worse than an aisle seat for many, as well.
You still have to duck and twist and you can imagine the headlines and/or posts on here when a 6'6", 25-stone, 70-year-old who uses a cane/wheelchair tries to pour himself through the gap between the seat and the bulkhead.
I appreciate that there are people with sensory issues, etc. who might be able to benefit from those seats but they would be much worse than an aisle seat for many, as well.
#17
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,021
They don''t offer 'free pick' to anyone who isn't registered disabled, but who could not manage to climb over another passenger's legs. Their only option, should they be assigned a non-aisle seat, would be to disturb the other passenger.
#18
Join Date: Nov 2017
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Programs: Mucci Chevalier de Actes Bénéfiques pour les Autres, BAEC Gold.
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Providing one has a physical or mental impairment that has a 'substantial' and 'long-term' negative effect on their ability to do normal daily activities, then they are classed as 'disabled' under the Equality Act 2010.
Equality Act 2010
Last edited by BarneyMcGrew; May 10, 2018 at 5:20 am
#19
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#20
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: LCY
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#21
Join Date: Jul 2016
Programs: BA Bronze SPG
Posts: 273
I flew back from JFK and booked 64JK 24 hours before the flight. I have profound deafness and didn't have it on my BAEC at that time. We took those seats because they were available at the time. Never knew how sought after they were till I joined FT!
It does help that I can lipread and see what the CC are saying!
It does help that I can lipread and see what the CC are saying!
#22
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: South East, UK
Programs: BA Gold / GfL, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,432
Confession time: This rarely applies to myself anymore ^ but I can see it from both sides If F redemptions get restricted and London Airport bookings turn into a post code lottery then we can debate protecting a few seats, no?
Far from just personal preferences: the reason this came to mind is because I know of some pax with complex issues (sensory, behavioural etc) combined with mobility. In those situations one picks the "lesser evil", so to speak and it isn't always the aisle seat.
Far from just personal preferences: the reason this came to mind is because I know of some pax with complex issues (sensory, behavioural etc) combined with mobility. In those situations one picks the "lesser evil", so to speak and it isn't always the aisle seat.
I am well aware of the impact that some non-mobility related conditions (e.g. Autism) can have on people. People at the more severe end of the spectrum are not likely to be travelling on their own for a start (if at all). I am sure that when you start to analyse the population in terms of people who have restricted mobility, combined with a sensory condition, you must be getting down to very small % of the population. Even more so of the travelling population. So a seat blocking policy such as the one you are suggesting seems unnecessary when travellers can still select the seats themselves, subject to their availability.
#23
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
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For as long as I can remember a pax with registered disabilities has been able to book any seat of their liking aside from emergency exists, for free. Not sure this applies to upper deck 747 but certainly works anywhere in lower deck 747 and on upper deck 380. So you definitely (and rightly so) have prio over pretty much anyone else.
Thread over? (On a winning note, unlike most of today’s thread proposals)
Thread over? (On a winning note, unlike most of today’s thread proposals)
#24
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#25
Join Date: Sep 2013
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#27
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#28
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I’ve never labelled myself as ‘differently able’, but my hearing isn’t too good ... especially in the noisy cabin envonment. My wife frequently has to ‘translate’ messages from the CC for me, so an aisle seat works best for me most of the time.
GG ... glad to hear things are (usually) better for you.
GG ... glad to hear things are (usually) better for you.