An accessible guide to air travel

23.02.2024 - 12:57 / cntraveler.com / Conde Nast / Airlines

When I first left the hospital after my spinal injury and began adapting to life with a disability, air travel was one of the most intimidating barriers I went up against. In my former life as a non-disabled person, I had never thought about the challenges of navigating narrow aisles or accessing facilities on board an aircraft. As a paraplegic and manual wheelchair user, that privilege had been revoked.

The doggedness that had gotten me through spinal rehabilitation in record time was repurposed. My new goal was to learn how someone with my disability could sustain a flight. I tracked down every seasoned disabled traveler and medical professional I could find. While I knew that flying would be difficult, I was assured it would be doable with enough meticulous planning for the worst and hoping for the best.

Within two months of leaving the hospital, I summoned every ounce of courage I could muster and set off on my first long-haul flight. Eight hours later, I pushed out onto Canadian soil, my paralyzed body and wheelchair relatively unscathed. I inhaled a deep breath of fresh rocky mountain air. I decided then and there that the rewards awaiting me after each flight far surpassed the risks I faced.

The process of traveling for me, as for many disabled travelers, is not without sacrifice. But since then, I have flown extensively around the globe holding fast to this sentiment. While we continue to fight for our basic human right to be treated by airlines the same way travelers without disabilities are, it seemed to me that it was important to create a guide to accessible air travel.

Packed with hacks, tips, and insight, I hope this guide can inspire readers and unlock the world of possibilities that await us all on the other end of each flight. Today's rewards are greater than ever. We have never lived in a more accessible world, and this column aims to prove it.

A version of this article originally appeared in Condé Nast Traveller UK.

The search for the perfect airline is ongoing. Each carrier has its pros and cons when it comes to welcoming travelers with disabilities. Currently, in the UK, the Civil Aviation Authority is conducting surveys to rate airlines which will help guide us. (Editor's note: In the United States, the Air Carrier Access Act makes it illegal for airlines to discriminate against passengers because of their disability. Learn more through the Department of Transportation.)

While customer service reviews can offer some insight, contacting an airline directly to discuss your specific needs is your best bet. Come with a list of questions and gauge how comfortable they make you feel. Speak with other disabled travelers for insight and recommendations.

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