Flying with power chair or manual chair.

Since my stroke 14 years ago, I have flown several times back to Australia, Venice, Orkney and  Exeter with either my power chair or manual chair.

No matter which chair you use, they are transported in the plane's cargo hold free of charge. My first chair was a Jazzy with two 12 volt sealed gel batteries with the overall weight of 85kilo, my new chair a 'Pride IGO' only weighs 24kilo with batteries and 19kilo without, however, the batteries x2 are lithium and lithium is not allowed to be stored in the hold but are allowed in the cabin so long as they are in a specialised bag designed for transporting lithium batteries.

Regarding my chair, there is quite a bit to do before your flight day, i.e. inform your air carrier that you are taking your chair with you, they will need the -

• weight of chair

• size, height unfolded, height folded, and width.

• type and weight of batteries.

• safety bag for lithium batteries.

All this info can be found either in your chair manual or online. We always download and print off the information needed, copies for the carrier and a copy in your travel file.

We never use a travel agent; instead, we talk to the carrier directly on the phone and then email them the chair information.

Once the carrier receives your information, they may phone back for further info, or they will email to confirm the dangerous goods operator (airline) approval letter.

Security check, we all have to go through security before we can get into the departure lounge. For me, I’m invited to go through the side entrance, where I’m frisked and swabs are taken from my chair, my wife walks through the radar gate and meets me on the other side. (One time flying from Norwich, the swabs detected explosives in my chair, which activated a very loud alarm. I ended up filling a long form, then a second swab was taken, and the all clear was given.

I always take my chair to the plane's door, or you may be asked to transfer to an airport chair in the departure lounge, so always arrange assistance. Manual chairs go straight into the hold with push chairs.

I know it’s a lot to take in, but it’s worth the effort to make your flying experience less stressful.

Remember to take a couple of photos of your chair just in case it’s damaged on route, if it is, approach the airport desk as soon as possible. It’s normally in the area where you collect your luggage; they will take a photo of the damage and take your details.