A CCESSIB ILIT Y
ai r c raf t inter iorsinternat ional . com 027
NOVEMBER 2019
M ore passengers with disabilities and reduced
mobility are travelling than ever. Affinity groups
in person and online encourage and inform
these travellers of their rights and how to demand them
from airlines, while ageing populations become less
mobile and need more assistance. Indeed, many of us will
become disabled or experience reduced mobility, whether
temporarily, permanently, or progressively as we age.
But the perspective of travellers with disabilities or
reduced mobility on the airline experience is substantially
negative and it is clear that, as a whole, the industry is
failing these passengers. Aircraft Interiors International
spoke with travellers with disabilities, including those
working with the industry, to improve the way that
airlines and airports serve passengers with disabilities.
While disabilities vary widely – a passenger who uses
a motorised wheelchair may themselves have different
needs to a passenger who uses a non-motorised
wheelchair, for example – some key themes emerge when
speaking to disabled travellers, and it is clear that there
is much room for aviation to do better.
It is crucial that airlines get the process right
for capturing information and providing assistance
to passengers in advance of their flight. Yet this
process is often burdensome and complex.
“Requesting disability assistance services
should be easier and it should be possible
during booking,” says John Morris from
“ As a whole, the industry is
failing these passengers”
WheelchairTravel.org, who himself uses
Personal freedom
Once the passenger is boarding,
however, the chair – conceived by
Republic of Ireland-based designer,
Ciara Crawford – is adapted to work
better within the cabin. The rear wheels
are removed and a set of four smaller
castor wheels lowered to make the seat
more manoeuvrable, which also aids
lavatory access. Then it is a simple matter
of folding down the armrests and rear
companion handles and pulling out the
front companion handles, and the Row 1
chair can be steered over a standard front
row economy seat and locked in place.
The Row 1 wheelchair system is a
concept designed to enable passengers
to use one seat from the airport check-in
desk, to the aircraft, to their destination
airport, minimising the frustration of seat
transfers. Passengers would book the
chair in advance, and once they reach the
airport check-in desk they then transfer
to the battery-powered Row 1 chair and
check in their personal chair. The chair
is initially a fairly conventional setup
for negotiating the airport, with a hand
controller for autonomous movement,
and rear companion handles if required.
BELOW: THE ROW 1 CONCEPT
IS DESIGNED TO ALLEVIATE
CONCERNS ABOUT BEING
PHYSICALLY LIFTED FROM
WHEELCHAIR TO AIRCRAFT SEAT
a powered wheelchair. “Some airlines have made this
process intuitive and well-defined, while others have
hidden the process out of plain view. Some carriers do
not even provide a method for requesting assistance
during booking, but options may be available in booking
management after the itinerary is ticketed. Other airlines
require a phone call, which adds a layer of inconvenience.
In my view, a phone call should not be necessary.”
Having provided this information online and/or
over the phone, passengers often discover that it has
not been given to the airport.
“Arriving at check-in, the same questions are asked,”
explains Chris Wood of FlyingDisabled in the UK. These
/WheelchairTravel.org
/www.aircraftinteriorsinternational.com