Several airlines have made great strides to cater for the needs of disabled travellers. They include Emirates, British Airways and Qantas, which are all known for their service to disabled travellers, Tarryn Tomlinson, Founder of LiveABLE Access Consultants and Able2Travel, told Travel News.
“These airlines offer assistance with boarding, in-flight support, and accessible facilities. However, challenges still exist, such as inconsistent service quality, limited seating options, and issues with handling mobility aids.”
She said the appetite for travel among disabled people in South Africa was growing steadily. “As awareness and accessibility improve, more individuals with disabilities are seeking travel opportunities both domestically and internationally.”
Tomlinson said within South Africa, destinations such as Cape Town, Durban, and the Kruger National Park were popular with disabled travellers due to their relatively good infrastructure and commitment to accessibility.
Internationally, destinations like the US, Europe (particularly Spain, Germany, and the UK), and Australia are favoured due to their advanced accessibility standards and the comprehensive support services available.
New features
Virgin Australia and American Airlines have recently introduced new features to cater for the needs of disabled travellers.
Virgin Australia has partnered with Adelaide Airport in a new pilot initiative ‘Try Before You Fly’ in support of people with a disability and other health conditions.
In what is believed to be the first such airport/airline initiative in Australia, more than 30 passengers plus their family members, companions and support workers were provided with an opportunity at the end of July to go through the entire airport and boarding process from arriving at the airport to being seated on an aircraft ready for take-off.
“This programme has been designed to give individuals with disabilities and conditions that impact travel, such as anxiety and autism, an opportunity to go through the entire process as a test run,” said Adelaide Airport Executive GM People, Culture and Customer, Dermot O’Neill.
Adelaide Airport provides a range of accessibility services including airside and landside assistance animal relief areas; Changing Places facilities offering more space, a ceiling hoist and adult-size change table; a volunteer ambassador programme; a meet and assist programme at the accessible drop-off and pick-up zone; hearing loops installed throughout the terminal; and a dedicated security assistance lane.
Adelaide Airport’s facility dog, Elmo – who has been trained by Guide Dogs SA/NT – spends his working hours as a reassuring presence for people with hidden disabilities who may need support that is not immediately apparent.
The airport also has a sunflower card and lanyard-based system, which offers customers a discreet way to indicate to airport staff that extra assistance is required.
American Airlines has become the first US airline to launch an automated tag for mobility devices to improve wheelchair and mobility device handling across its network.
New automated tags, replacing the previous manual tags, feature customer- and device-specific data like itineraries, delivery points, device weight, battery type and the number of items removed and taken on board.
This additional information will ensure more accurate and consistent information for team members handling the devices and provide enhanced visibility of the devices throughout customers’ travel journeys.
The automation also enables the device’s information to be more easily shared across frontline team members’ applications, ensuring that team members have the right information at the right time.
The airline has also deployed wheelchair movers, and lifts are being installed at its hubs and other airports with high-mobility device traffic, which helps lower the risk of damaging mobility devices.
American will soon allow customers to access their saved travel preferences, such as travelling with a mobility device or service animal, and apply their details to any upcoming trip when managing on aa.com.