Airline cannot accommodate disabled toddler

Apologies if this has already been mentioned. Brilliant organisation who might be able to help.
https://www.qef.org.uk/service/accessible-aviation/

I hope you have a lovely holiday with your child. Do join some SN groups, they can be a life saver and a great supporting network. Raising children with SN is very different. Best wishes and my blessing x

Agree 100%. I’ve had the same experience. I’ve pre -arranged assistance in the past and been left stranded. Hope you have a great holiday OP, and sorry you’ve had a hard time from some on here.

What a dreadful thing to say to the mother of a disabled child. Your post clearly demonstrates that you haven’t read the OP’s opening post - which clearly says that they did not know about the disability when the holiday was booked. And you clearly don’t have any experience of this or any other kind of disability, otherwise you’d be familiar with the ways in which different problems present themselves and have to be dealt with, And it’s not ‘forcibly restraining’ him. It’s making sure that he’s safe on the flight.

And seriously, you need to make better decisions before posting crap.

The op didn’t have the diagnosis when the holiday was booked.

@Sirzy
You're right! I feel awful having suggested such a thing.

My child is 'restrained' everywhere, every sitting position needs him to be harnessed in, he even needs blocks when laying on the floor or in bed to stop him rolling onto his stomach and suffocating. He would definitely need postural support on an airplane just like he does on any other form of transport does that mean we should never travel? The OP has stated her child needs the harness to be safe much the same as my child does but for different reasons.

Carrying him may also be classed as restraining though so maybe sitting him in a wheelbarrow and pushing would be better

Maybe the Op could carry him in her arms and walk to their next holiday destination??

To do so would involve having a 4 year old “forcibly restrained” in a car seat or if on public transport with additional needs a pushchair/wheelchair surely? So what’s the difference.

it’s about ensuring safety for all involved

Since you know better why not tell that to the FAA who recommend it as the safest way for all children to travel? I’m sure they’ll revise their policies based on your opinion 🙄

You think it’s ok to have a child ‘the size of a four years old’ forcibly restrained in aeroplane seat for the sake of a family holiday abroad. Seriously you need to make better decisions and holiday in the UK

I know it isn't a normal request but could you speak to the consultant to discuss if there is any medication he could be prescribed to keep him calm for the flight? How many hours will you be flying? Would it be helpful if he was able to sleep for a good portion of the flight so he is calm when you get off the plane at your destination, having an ASD child I know how all the lights, people & noises can trigger meltdowns.

There are extended rearfacing carseats that suit up to 25kg and beyond. My son rearfaced until he was 5 in an axxkid minikid and only moved to a HBB to give the axxkid to his little brother . That being said. I think you might be mixed up and need a FF seat. Any 5 point harness booster seat would worn.

@Loopyloooooo Op said herself his needs have changed since she booked it

Hi your son sounds remarkably like my daughter her genetic condition is 15q11.2, if its the anxiety side and feeling safe have you looked into compression vests or weighted vests they are great at providing the security our kiddos need and can be hidden underneath clothes so the ignorant ppl have less to gawp at xx

Who are these snarky people?

Checkout
https://www.myfamilyourneeds.co.uk/support-child/holidays-for-disabled-children-air-travel/

and merushop.org - the Travelchair might be an optiot and you can Hire instead of buy. Lots of other info like grants.

And to the snarky ladies:
There is a special place in hell for women who don't help other women."

(Keynote speech at Celebrating Inspiration luncheon with the WNBA's All-Decade Team, 2006)Madeleine Albright

Sounds like you’ve solved the harness problem. If it’s a matter of him feeling secure, would a weighted lap blanket help? You can also get tight sensory clothing (a very tight, elasticky t-shirt really helps my daughter). You can even get a sort of elasticated waistcoat which would feel a bit like a harness.

Tight clothes, chewy necklace and unlimited movies got us through a very long flight in the past.

id personally book a different flight

Sorry OP, don’t want to labour the point but, as you mentioned you’re new to all this, just reiterating this from viques. Get it in writing, and names/dates of people you speak to, print it out and have it with you (and the legal entitlement CAA guidance on Special Assistance too). Hopefully you won’t have any issues but having been in situations where assistance was arranged only to find it completely missing on the day, I’ve learnt my lesson.

There are different policies between airlines quite possibly because seat types vary in detail (airline option) and also as I think someone mentioned upthread, often each airline has to make a safety case for a policy to their regulator…and sometimes there is a lot of inertia at regulator level, rather than at the airline.

Yes the regs are a PITA but one of the reasons commercial flying is so safe is it’s regulated to the n’th degree in most parts of the world.

Legally they have to make a 'reasonable adjustment'. Now if the back row isn't available is there a back row in Bussiness class?

Or they can spend the £2000 on the harness and use it for other children.

Or you could start a go-fund-me to raise the money to buy it and totally embarass the airline.