Flying when you have impaired mobility

[redskyatnight]

Hoping someone can advise here ...

Teen DD has impaired mobility - walking is slow and she needs to rest frequently (say every 5-10 minutes) and also struggles with stairs although she can manage them given time and space. She also walks with a crutch - she can walk without it but finds it easier with.

We are flying from Luton, so a smaller airport, with a smaller amount of walking which she can probably cope with. I see that I can request special assistance. However, DD hates having a fuss made and would probably rather struggle on alone. My question is therefore more whether we ought to inform the airline in advance that she has limited mobility and whether they would need to put any particular measures in place (I'm thinking things like she would need longer than the average person to evacuate if that was needed). Also, what would happen to her crutch? I assume she won't be allowed it on the plane.

I use assistance services but understand that your daughter doesn't want a fuss. I would call the airline - they often have a dedicated line for customers requiring this service - and explain the situation. They have levels of assistance too... for example in a larger airport you might need a wheelchair to the gate but not need help getting on the plane once you are at the gate. In my experience it would be better to ask for assistance getting to her seat if possible, because if you did have to climb steps to the plane she might not get the time and space she needs - it's often a scrum at the gate. I have been dropped at the gate as an adult travelling alone with crutches and it can be a bit daunting, so now I would chose assistance to my seat. That way you get to board first too.

I have always been allowed to take crutches/stick onto the plane.

Crutches are allowed in the cabin. No problem with that.

But it’s not “making a fuss”. No one else will notice or care that someone is being escorted to the gate in a wheelchair or buggy. They will be too busy sorting themselves and their party out. It’ll have to be done that way if she can’t get to the gate in a timely manner. The aircraft won’t wait for you.

I’m not sure what you mean by “notifying them that she might need extra time to evacuate”. If the plane crashes and people are being evacuated there will be people with broken limbs, head and spinal injuries, possibly burns, etc. People who can evacuate themselves will do so, the employees (and emergency services if they are there) will get the rest of them out in the way they are trained to. And this is something that’s extremely unlikely to happen anyway.

It might affect seat selection/allocation as she would be able to sit in an exit row seat.

Would not be able to sit in an exit row seat.

My dh has worked at an airport and always says please arrange special assistance ahead as it means it will be there if you do need it.
The assistance can be as little or as much as your dd needs.
There are a few questions about mobility and what help is required.
I always arrange it for dm now and there are plenty of age groups that use it.
As a plus you will usually be taken to the front of the queue at border control.

Luton is not a smaller airport.
Some of the gates are a very long way from the departure lounge; walking times are quoted - can't remember exactly - but maybe 10-20 minutes at normal walking pace.
Do get special assistance, it will include a lift to get from the ground to the plane entrance, as well as a wheelchair , & fast-track through security for all the party.