Are there airlines that will provide upgrades to Business or First at prices below full fare for those who need them due to a medical disability? I'm not asking about free upgrades, just any sort of program (advertised or unadvertised) to provide them at somewhat lower than usual cost.

(I'm thinking, along the lines of bereavement fares -- a fare for which you'd need to prove eligibility with a doctor's letter.) Does this exist at all?

Which medical conditions can only be handled in first? I saw this on another thread and was really curious, as I really couldnt think of any that would justify a lower rate. Yes some might be more comfortable in first, but wouldnt all of us!!!! Seems to me there is nothing medically different about first that isnt available in coach.

I'm thinking about conditions where one needs to be lying down for most of the journey, or have limbs elevated. Yes, one could purchase 4 seats each in coach, but then you're approaching business or even first class rates and the airline might not even guarantee 4 seats together with movable armrests (and that assumes you're on a plane that HAS four seats together).

I couldn't imagine how this would make sense for the airlines. If you do have a complaint that obliges you to lie down for the duration of a flight-for example- you may not be in a good state to fly anyway.

I could have imagined this in the 'good ol' days' of air travel, but I can't see it happening now. When the overal trend of airlines is to de-bundle the travel experience (pay for credit card charge, drinks, food, headsets, oxygen on Ryanair etc), I cannot see them offering this value-add service to disabled pax.

Even bereavement fares aren't really the big deal that people make out as most people aren't flying on fully flexible Y fares anyway. In most cases you'd be better just booking a seat in your usual way and swallow the fact that it probably won't be at a good fare.

Or you might be perfectly fine otherwise. If this forum's purpose is to help disabled travelers fly, then I would expect exactly this sort of question to arise -- or in more general terms, to find out what one can expect from airlines in the way of assistance for people with genuine medical issues.

Now, you may be perfectly right that airlines will simply say "if you need it, pay full fare for it" but I thought I'd ask.

I know bereavement fares don't get you a fare that is cheaper than low-cost economy, but it's still cheaper than full-fare Y. So I thought maybe they'd do something similar for disabled passengers (e.g. maybe provide an "I" fare even when I is sold out, as long as J is still available).

Apologies of the tone appears brusque, but these days I can't see them putting a disabled person in a discounted first seat.

I just read through some sites for disabled travelers. There are a few airlines who offer travel for those who due to medical disabilities need extra seats, can't sit upright in a standard seat or require stretcher travel. Generally, this does require a medical form from your doctor, possibly an attendant that you must pay for, and purchasing all those seats. I found nothing about getting a discount, but if you're interested in looking into it NW would be an airline to call. As far as not getting a discount goes, as one of the sites put it, paying for five coach seats so you can lie down is a whole lot cheaper than paying for a medical flight.

BTW, I did once see a passenger upgraded for a medical reason. His oxygen tank wouldn't fit in the Y overhead so they moved him up to F where it did fit.

Generally speaking, commercial airlines do not cater to passengers who cannot sit in an airline seat (stretcher, incubator, iron lung, etc). These passengers are usually referred to air ambulance services.

Hire a G5! But honestly there are charter outfits that specialize it this sorta thing.

I've checked around with a few airlines. American Airlines is typical -- they will not accept for flight passengers "unable to sit upright with seatbelt fastened. The only exception is a passenger in a body cast. Contact American Airlines Reservations for details."

But I wonder just what they DO for a passenger in a body cast. They won't accept passengers on stretchers, for instance.

They mention a few special seats reserved for passengers with disabilities; as best I can make out the main advantage is a moveable aisle armrest so you can slide in to the seat.

United similarly mentions moveable armrests.

Some airlines will charge a lower fare (75% or 50%) for a second seat if you require one due to your size, similarly to how they will charge for a cello.

Nobody mentions upgrades to a premium cabin if your doctor says you need to lie down during the flight -- mostly they suggest then they won't take you at all.

I have a friend (liz) who is Disabled and wheelchair bound.
She is unable to bend her legs or move her arms further than things on her lap or by her side.
She sits/lies in a relaxed/recline position due to Arthuritus and has had all of her joints replace twice (shoulders,elbows,hips,knees,ankles).

were having the exact same problem!

She cannot fit into a Economy seat, and also some Biz class seats are not suitable, as are some First class seats.

Liz flew VS Upper a few yrs back in the old J2000 Upper class seat(discount allowed from Sir RB) and this was Excellent for her .(front row 6) boeing 747 when the single seat had been removed from A zone.

Generally most people think that Disabled people can just sit upright in a Econ seat and are most surprised to see Liz in her large electricm chair with extended leg rests!

will this new EU ruling help us in anyway to gain access to Airlines without being charged an arm and a leg (so to speak)????

BTW, I did once see a passenger upgraded for a medical reason. His oxygen tank wouldn't fit in the Y overhead so they moved him up to F where it did fit.[/QUOTE]

I'm confused. What configuration has larger overhead bins in F than Y?

I think the people who see no need for disabled people to be upgraded are being somewhat selfish? I have Cerebral Palsy and I have literally just got back from NYC ( I live in the UK). I flew North West Airlines Economy Class, I have never seen any schemes for upgrading but I think there should be one especially if there are empty Business Class seats on a flight.

Let me give you an insight as to what it is like to be a disabled passenger who had to fly to NYC for a job interview but couldn't afford to pay to have basic comfort.

1) My feet were swollen so bad I couldn't wear shoes ( All could have been avoided if I had my feet elevated.

2) I am at increased risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis, and as I can't exactly get up and walk around or stretch my legs like you guy or wiggle my toes that make my risk even worse, all could be reduced by around 30% if I had a foot rest.

3) My back has sharp pain if I sit upright for too long and again I can't just get up and stretch.

These are just a few examples of many of the problems I face when flying, we don't want the fancy extras and the free champagne we only want what is a basic level of comfort with our problems.

So I really find comments akin to "Everyone would like to be more comfortable" deeply offensive. As it isn't that I wouldn't love to sit reasonably like everyone else, God I'd love to but I physically can't. I think people should try viewing it from our perspective for once ?

I don't want cheap luxury flights I want a reasonable standard like every other passenger.

If pitch and seat size were more reasonable in coach less people would be needing an upgrade.

[QUOTE=Mels-a-Pops;7451814]... I have Cerebral Palsy and I have literally just got back from NYC ( I live in the UK).

Hi there...Might be able to offer a few helpful tidbits (you've probably heard most of them). I travel often with my daughter who has advanced myotonic MD, cannot walk, is prone to DVT, swollen legs and circulation problems.

• Request a bulkhead seat (more leg room...book early these go fast) and use your roll on bag and pillow to elevate your feet. You may have to experiment. She is 5' 2" so it works for her. I'm 5' 7" and can use my laptop roller bag. YMMV. My feet swell up too just like in flight potato chip bags.
  
• Her docter recommended a baby asprin prior to long flights to thin her blood. Check with yours first.
  
• Wear custom fit support hose for leg swelling.
  
• Stay hydrated...hard to do with her because bathroom breaks are an elaborate process to get her there (she requires an aisle chair and a clear path).
  
• There are some web sites that offer inflight exercises for DVT prevention even if you cannot stand. I have found many that work for her.
  
• There are various pillows out there for back pain including those like flowcushion specifically geared to those with DVT and backpain. We have found a donut pillow helps her but I think that has more to do with her skinny fanny then anything else.
  
• We also take those little Isotoner ballet slippers with us just in case because even wearing our roomy shoes they sometimes just don't fit getting off the plane and they are very nice to wear on the plane.

Linda