Can we travel by air with power chair?

[SouthCoastShell]

Hi, my husband is only recently disabled and now uses a power chair outside of the home environment.
It looks like a regular wheelchair but is battery powered.
We haven't travelled abroad since his mobility issues.
What happens if we want to fly?
The chair folds down quite small but was expensive so I'm worried it will get damaged if thrown about with the suitcases!
Do people buy an extra seat on the plane?

I'm disabled.

I have a chair that I fly with.

The battery comes out and has to go in the cabin with me.
I take the wheelchair to the plane door and then it goes in the hold (much like a buggy would).

Yes the people putting cases in the plane door throw stuff around.

I'd be more concerned about a custom/expensive chair. I have a live well instafold which is designed for travel.

www.livewelltoday.co.uk/wheeled-mobility-travel/wheelchairs/electric-wheelchairs/livewell-instafold-electric-wheelchair/c-27/c-118/p-2643

I've done maybe 10 flights with it:

It's never been damaged on flights. Gets a bit shaky in city centres and in cobbles though.

What does the airline say?

As I understand it, the main issue with flying is the batteries, they must conform to certain standards and you have to take them in the cabin with you. As PP has pointed out, check with the airline and make arrangements well before you go (for both directions, obviously!).

Thanks for your messages. Does 'in the hold' mean in the bottom of the plane with suitcases or in the top section where passengers enter?