Are walkers allowed on planes?
Jul 2, 2007, 9:41 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: YYC
Posts: 97
Are walkers allowed on planes?
My gramma will be leaving for Hong Kong tomorrow. She wants to bring her walker --not necessarily on the plane but would like to have it with her to use in Hong Kong.
Does anybody know whether Cathay Pacific or Air Canada allow passengers to board planes with walkers? (this is a folding walker). Do FA's have a stowaway compartment just for these?
If not, should we check it in? How should we check it in? Am afraid the walker will get broken by callous handlers
Thanks for any help,
-LDK
Does anybody know whether Cathay Pacific or Air Canada allow passengers to board planes with walkers? (this is a folding walker). Do FA's have a stowaway compartment just for these?
If not, should we check it in? How should we check it in? Am afraid the walker will get broken by callous handlers
Thanks for any help,
-LDK
Jul 3, 2007, 3:21 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: RDU/AMS/OSL
Programs: SK*S, AA PLT, US*S
Posts: 241
I would either ask for assistance at the airport(wheelchair) and check the walker. Another option is to gatecheck it. Make sure to tell the FA that you want the walker on the ramp, not at the luggage claim...
I dont think you will be able to stow it inside the plane but if it is folding, you might be able to. Will it fit in the overhead bins? If not; gate check it.
And again, I would ask for assistance and a wheelchair. Its not going to hurt her, but this means she got to be prepared to sit down in a wheelchair, which not everyone is...
I dont think you will be able to stow it inside the plane but if it is folding, you might be able to. Will it fit in the overhead bins? If not; gate check it.
And again, I would ask for assistance and a wheelchair. Its not going to hurt her, but this means she got to be prepared to sit down in a wheelchair, which not everyone is...
Jul 3, 2007, 8:03 pm
#3
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: DEN
Posts: 1,962
Air Canada:
Full text: http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelin...cialneeds.html
Cathay Pacific:
Full text: http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_...ggageallowance
See also: http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_...l/specialneeds
People travel with walkers all the time, but I would encourage you to call the airline directly and ask them what their procedure is. I'd also find out what kind of plane it is. If Gramma is flying transpacific, it's probably a widebody with a large first-class closet, and the crew may stow her walker there in the cabin. If she needs to check it, it will be planeside, not at the check-in counter. Do ask for wheelchair assistance as JoeW recommends.
Air Canada will carry the following aids as priority baggage without charge and in addition to the free baggage allowance:
Wheelchairs
Walkers, canes, crutches and braces
Communication devices
Prosthesis or medical device
Segway
Wheelchairs
Walkers, canes, crutches and braces
Communication devices
Prosthesis or medical device
Segway
Cathay Pacific:
Maximum weight of ANY SINGLE PIECE of checked baggage is 32kg (70lbs), unless it's one of the following:
Mobility aids
Medical Equipment
Sporting equipment
Musical instruments
Camera equipment
Household effects
Pets as baggage
Diplomatic baggage
Mobility aids
Medical Equipment
Sporting equipment
Musical instruments
Camera equipment
Household effects
Pets as baggage
Diplomatic baggage
See also: http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_...l/specialneeds
People travel with walkers all the time, but I would encourage you to call the airline directly and ask them what their procedure is. I'd also find out what kind of plane it is. If Gramma is flying transpacific, it's probably a widebody with a large first-class closet, and the crew may stow her walker there in the cabin. If she needs to check it, it will be planeside, not at the check-in counter. Do ask for wheelchair assistance as JoeW recommends.
