my husband had surgery on both legs following a fall in CA and we need to travel home to PA. HE has limited range of motion. We can fly home from San Diego or LA. Has anyone had experience with airlines, bulkhead in first class, seats that recline, deadhead flights etc flying home with leg injuries?
THANKS!

Sorry to hear about your husband's injuries.

I don't have any experience with the same injury. However I'd imagine in most cases first class seats will be your best bet. Be careful with bulkheads, some actually have worse leg room depending on the aircraft, airline, and how it's arranged. Seatguru.com, while not always totally correct, can be a good place to research legroom and compare between carriers.

I'd also think that minimizing any connections would help, as would avoiding regional jets which, even in first class, can have less room than a mainline jet.

What airport would be your specific destination in PA?

Welcome to Flyertalk Hinda50. I flew from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. about 6 weeks after having a total knee replacement. The most important thing is elevating the injured legs. So, first class with a good recline and foot rest is important. If FC is not practical, consider a bulkhead which has enough room to prop his legs on a bag or box. In my case I decided it was worth the expense to travel on Virgin America First Class. The small FC cabin is very comfortable and the seats recline well enough to prop the leg on the foot rest. Flight attendants are very accommodating. Good luck.

Good advice.

Generally, you'll find much roomier first class seats from LAX to JFK than to PHL. (Of course, you then have the challenge of getting from JFK to somewhere in Pennsylvania.) I believe Jet Blue might be the cheapest of these, but am not certain.

I would definitely start with JetBlue Mint or Virgin America F. Both offer enough room to accomodate. Sadly, not to PHL.

It will be more expensive than a "regular" FC ticket, but look for nonstop transcon flights with flat beds. For example, you could take DL from LAX to JFK with flat beds, and then either connect or use a car service to PA (depending somewhat on where in the state). These are generally the same seats that DL uses on its international 757s with 2-2 seating, so not direct aisle access for all. There are a few international wide body aircraft on these routes, which would be 1-2-1 seating with 100% direct aisle access and flat beds. In parts of the year, you can even find a 777 aircraft serving the LAX-JFK and vv route.

Even with flat bed, the passenger will still need pillows to keep his leg elevated. Keeping the leg elevated is the paramount concern. Even at home, just a flat bed wasn't enough. Elevation is key to comfort.

buy a couple cheap inflatable pillows to support the leg. they hurt less than anything else

That sounds painful, hope its an uneventful recovery. One thing to remember is that he will have to sit upright for takeoff and landing but can recline in between. Also wont be able to prop his legs up with bags or anything else in the bulkhead for takeoff or landing either. Would buying an entire row in Y work where he could lay across all 3 seats after takeoff? Or prop his back against the fuselage and keep his legs elevated on the empty seats? Hope you can figure something out that doesn't break the bank and again, hope he heals quickly.

My wife and I have both had to fly after foot and leg problems. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Be more specific about what the phrase "limited range of motion" means when considering your needs. For some it means moving slowly, keeping the leg slightly extended, and avoiding people bumping into it; for others it means near total inability to flex at the knee. Where your husband's condition falls within this spectrum will determine his needs for this trip.

2. Be willing to pay more for seats with more room-- either first class or something like United's Economy Plus if that suits his needs. As you shop for flights, use SeatGuru.com to scope out how much room each class of service offers by airline and aircraft type.

3. Avoiding connections is important when a person can't walk around well. Be willing to pay more to fly nonstop. But if flying nonstop requires travel to an alternate airport, consider how tolerable the longer car ride would be.

4. Book via phone and ask the agents for help choosing the right flight and seats, explaining your situation. If one is not helpful, Hang Up and Call Again (HUCA). Ask for help at the airport, too, with seat assignments. Let me emphasize that the point of asking for help is to get help, not freebies, though sometimes the agents will offer a little something (like a preferred seat) that otherwise you'd have to pay for.

Do all of this in consultation with your physician. High altitude for approx. 6 hours can do a number on post-surgical patients and medical diversions are dangerous and tragically not always successful.

The key here is not to push it just because you have to get back.

+100 on that. Surgery is a major risk factor for DVT (blood clots); adding in hours of immobility and a plane flight pushes that risk well higher. Your surgeon will be able to advise on how (and when!) to travel safely. If he/she has not been informed about your plans to fly, correct that oversight immediately.

Agree. Also, remember to ask for wheelchair assistance from your airline for departure and arrivals.

Since I am new to this site I hope I am responding correctly and My HUGE THANK YOU gets to ALL of you who responded. Great suggestions. I am getting to work..lots of homework to do. His physical therapist said today she thinks 2 more weeks in rehab and after we see the surgeon in a week we may know how much flexion he can do at his knees.

In the meantime I have homework to do. THANKS!!! I'll be back if I have more questions and I will be sure to be available to others on this site. IT's great!

I would suggest - honestly - taking the train. If you can find the time, it will be a lot less stressful (and avoids the risk of DVT). You'll have to change in Chicago, granted, but still. It would be a lot cheaper than two first-class tickets, too.

wg