Air travel with baby

[tillymummy]

Hi,

Is it possible to travel by airplane when you are disabled and have a baby?

My husband is able-bodied and normally helps me to get out of my seat on the plane, but would he be allowed to carry on our baby too?

If so, any one had any experience of this and how do you manage? Can you bring a baby onto the airlift/ambilift? Would a hostess hold the baby while I am being lifted out of the seat on the plane?

Thanks for any help
Jackie

thought I give you a bump

Have you tried speaking to the relevant airlines/airports at all?

personally I find that if you don't ask, you don't get. most airlines (with the exception of ryan air) try to be very accommodating in terms of disabled customers. If you speak to the airline in question in advance of travelling, it should be possible to pre-book assistance which should include pre-boarding. Would it be possible for the staff to help you on to the plane and for your husband to take the baby? that way you wouldn't have to feel the need to hand your child over to a stranger. As far as I'm aware, the airline are not allowed to refuse to carry you based on your disability.

I'm sorry I can't be of more help as I have no personal experience of your situation, but I would suggest ringing the airline and telling that you "will be travelling" on x date and "will require assistance". never ask if you can travel, always be assertive and tell them that this is what you intend to do and would like to book assistance for the occasion.

hth

My DH is a paraplegic wheelchair user. We have a 13mo. When she was 6mo we flew together to Holland. We flew from London City that time and I'd really recommend the smaller airports if you can schedlue it as the ground crews are less busy and stressed than at the big ones. Although the roles are reversed, I see no reason why you should be excluded, in fact I don't think you could be legally. You are all paying passengers. I find that having a baby around actually helps people relax about the disability issue, she's a real icebreaker. In October we are taking the plunge and flying to Australia, which I am dreading but only for all the usual baby on a plane type reasons. Good luck with your travels and don't let anyone stop you getting on with doing the things you want to do.

Thought you might like to know that Malaysia Airline were fantastic flying to Australia. They even have a wheelchair accessible toilet on their 777 planes and a little aisle chair to get you in aided by willing staff. We also found that the combination of wheelchair and baby meant we didn't stay in any queues, but were sped through all obstructions. It was great!

Can anyone help please...? i went into our local travel agents yesterday to see how much it would cost for me to take myself,partner and 3 chikldren to spain for one week. everything was going great until i informed them that my daughter alana is severely disabled and would need to stay in her own wheelchair as she cant transfer to another one as hers is specifically made for her as she cannot hold any part of her body in a sitting position whatsoever,.... i was told that no airline will allow her to stay in her chair but they are willing to help me transfer her to one of their chairs.....alana cannot go into a normal chair or indeed one of their wheelchairs as they would not support her body in the way she requires.... i was told maybe go on a cruise.....a cruise....? if i wanted a cruise i would have asked about one.... i left travel agents in tears as i cannot take my child abroad unles i pay the airline for 6-9 seats, a stretcher for her to lay on and some airlines ask that you pay for a dr or a nurse to accompany you.....well there4 goes the £2000 limit for a holiday before i even think about paying for anyone else to travel....is there any way round this?

How about driving? I don't have a disabled child, just an able-bodied one, but for us it's so much easier to put everything in the car that we don't often fly anywhere. If you use the EuroTunnel you don't even have to get out of your car, unlike on the ferry.

It's certainly possible to drive down to Spain - but it takes a couple of days with stops for food and sleep and you might find it easier with only a week to go somewhere a bit closer to home (Brittany? La Rochelle?).

Hope you find a solution!