Handicap Travel Assistance -EWR to PUJ
May 7, 2023, 2:31 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 10
Handicap Travel Assistance -EWR to PUJ
Hello all,
Our family has planned a family vacation for August 2023. It's about 12 of us traveling round-trip from Newark (EWR) to Punta Cana (PUJ) on United Airlines. My husband and I are familar with international flying, but we are responsible for traveling with his Mother, Grandmother and brother. His Grandmother is nearly 85 and regularly walks with a walker. His brother is mobile, but has down syndrome and can't always move at a consistent pace with a crowd. I have secured a scooter for use while at the resort, but am worried about navigating the airports. From the research I've done, it seems I can indicate that we'll need special assistance in the United portal for those specific passengers, however I'm unclear about some details. Once we arrive to the airport, how do we secure the assistance? It's not until we get through customs that we'll reach the United gate - by indicating we need assistance, will they help navigate through the airport, or strictly on and off the plane? I often see people escorted on walkers or golf carts through the airports, but unsure how they obtained them. We are fine if this is a paid service, just want to have everything secured ahead of time. Grandma likely won't take her personal walker with her, so it's important that assistance be waiting upon entrance of the airport. I'm also a bit concerned about the Punta Cana airport since we land and board on the tarmac if I recall correctly. Ultimately, I am looking to have assistance secured for arrival and departure at both Newark and Punta Cana airports. Thanks so much in advance for all of your help!
Our family has planned a family vacation for August 2023. It's about 12 of us traveling round-trip from Newark (EWR) to Punta Cana (PUJ) on United Airlines. My husband and I are familar with international flying, but we are responsible for traveling with his Mother, Grandmother and brother. His Grandmother is nearly 85 and regularly walks with a walker. His brother is mobile, but has down syndrome and can't always move at a consistent pace with a crowd. I have secured a scooter for use while at the resort, but am worried about navigating the airports. From the research I've done, it seems I can indicate that we'll need special assistance in the United portal for those specific passengers, however I'm unclear about some details. Once we arrive to the airport, how do we secure the assistance? It's not until we get through customs that we'll reach the United gate - by indicating we need assistance, will they help navigate through the airport, or strictly on and off the plane? I often see people escorted on walkers or golf carts through the airports, but unsure how they obtained them. We are fine if this is a paid service, just want to have everything secured ahead of time. Grandma likely won't take her personal walker with her, so it's important that assistance be waiting upon entrance of the airport. I'm also a bit concerned about the Punta Cana airport since we land and board on the tarmac if I recall correctly. Ultimately, I am looking to have assistance secured for arrival and departure at both Newark and Punta Cana airports. Thanks so much in advance for all of your help!
May 7, 2023, 2:38 pm
#2
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Somewhere
Programs: Delta Plat
Posts: 3,434
When you get to the airport you check in and they will send someone with a wheelchair to assist you.
When you arrive in Punta Cana there will be wheelchair on the jet bridge waiting.
It's free service but you can tip.
When you arrive in Punta Cana there will be wheelchair on the jet bridge waiting.
It's free service but you can tip.
May 7, 2023, 2:58 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: BSL
Programs: AA (EXP); among others :)
Posts: 2,561
You will need to make United aware of your party's assistance needs as soon as possible. This is important regarding seating options, as I presume you will be flying in economy class and nobody has airline status which limits your seating choices.
I`m not really familiar with United's process, but you will not be able to simply go and buy the flights online, not for 12 people traveling together.Your party exceeds the maximum number of people (eight) who can be booked on one reservation on United. With disabled and elderly family members traveling as part of your group, I`d strongly advise not to split the group into smaller groups and book those on the web like usual trips even if this would possibly be cheaper but contact United to book your party as a group: https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/gro...rm/information.
Airport assistance is free. Mobility assistance (wheelchair service) is usually arranged through the airline, but you can call ahead: https://www.newarkairport.com/at-air...ility-services
There is a subforum for disability travel on here. This thread should either be moved there or into the United forum as it's primarily about travel on UA.
I`m not really familiar with United's process, but you will not be able to simply go and buy the flights online, not for 12 people traveling together.Your party exceeds the maximum number of people (eight) who can be booked on one reservation on United. With disabled and elderly family members traveling as part of your group, I`d strongly advise not to split the group into smaller groups and book those on the web like usual trips even if this would possibly be cheaper but contact United to book your party as a group: https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/gro...rm/information.
Airport assistance is free. Mobility assistance (wheelchair service) is usually arranged through the airline, but you can call ahead: https://www.newarkairport.com/at-air...ility-services
There is a subforum for disability travel on here. This thread should either be moved there or into the United forum as it's primarily about travel on UA.