Airport Assistance

[helpmepleasewiththis]

On

i am away on holiday currently and have a long standing issue with my foot. 20 years ago I have developed MRSA and had to have part of my foot removed. Most of the time I manage really well and you wouldn’t know from looking at me that I had a disability. But I have to have regular appointments with podiatry as hard skin builds up quickly making walking painful. I travelled to Majorca on Sunday and the airport was so big that I have been in agony since. WABU to request assistance at the airport for my return flight, just getting me to the gate? Can walk up steps it’s just the distance because Palma airport is huge. Anyone experienced similar and can I ask at the airport?

Yes, of course you should ask for special assistance, it’s meant for you!

I book special assistance for my mum who has a blue badge for her poor mobility. They have never asked for evidence.

You wouldn't be unreasonable. I'd try contacting your airline or holiday company to book in advance but they should still provide assistance without pre booking if needed.

You need to book it if you can. I got moaned at for not doing so. It was a genuine error

I would use it in your situation, but asking at the airport is far too late. Try to sort it with your airline now.

I’ve just helped my friend’s mum (aged 86) who is mobile but can only walk slowly, with booking assistance from Sydney to Singapore and then connecting to London.

She flew with Singapore Airlines. I checked with the all the airport’s official websites and they all stated that ‘Special Assistance’ must be booked directly with the airline and a minimum of 48 hours before the flight(s).

My friend’s mum was given wheelchair assistance from check-in to the plane and was given priority through security checks and on arrival in the immigration hall and baggage reclaim.

You should be fine if you request help. I don’t know the procedure if you’ve booked a package eg. With Tui or Jet2 but I guess you could contact the rep or travel agency but then follow it up directly with the airline.

PS: if going through a US airport the aide will definitely be expecting a tip!

Definitely speak to the airline and explain.
Just be aware though that not all airports take notice of it so you will have to also ask at the assistance desk.
Another thing worth knowing is that if you’ve booked a seat on an emergency exit row you may have to choose between that and assistance.

Bloody Palma airport - it’s an insanely long walk through that bastard place, and it should come with a warning.

OP I feel you, as I had the same experience really recently there.

Got totally caught out as I can usually manage on foot but that airport is ridiculous. Masses of pain to deal with as a result while on holiday. Very annoying.

tips…

Definitely book assistance for the return flight.

We did not, and it was hard to get any at all as a walk-in. Some English spoken at the assistance desk, but limited, and my Spanish wasn’t enough to be very helpful with that level of detail.

If there’s someone who can push you, try to do that. We wanted to do that but they insisted we be escorted with staff pushing. So annoying.

allow lots of extra time.

We got abandoned and would have missed our flight if we hadn’t taken initiative and just grabbed a nearby wheelchair after security.

They don’t take wheelchairs and staff through security - so we were meant to be picked up by another staff member airside but no one came.

Friends pushed my wheels to the gate and we did make it, just.