Traveling by plane and train with an active wheelchair
If you are flying with an active wheelchair, you need to notify the airline in advance, usually about 48 hours before the flight, although the exact deadline varies from airline to airline. Trains work differently - rail operators typically ask you to request assistance and a wheelchair space at least 24 hours before departure, and with some operators an unclaimed wheelchair space is released for general sale after that. The two procedures also differ in how you notify the carrier and what information it requires.
The biggest source of complications is often not the wheelchair itself, but the electric drive and its battery, which is subject to separate air transport rules. Good travel preparation therefore comes down to three things - notifying the carrier on time, checking the battery requirements and knowing the specifications your equipment must meet to use the boarding ramp on a train. Each of these is governed by its own rules, so it is worth planning your trip well in advance rather than in the last week before you leave.
At a glance
Notice before a flight - usually about 48 hours in advance; the exact deadline depends on the airline.
Notice before a train journey - typically at least 24 hours before departure; with some operators the wheelchair space is released for general sale after that.
Blumil Go aviation certificate - lets you take the add-on drive on board the plane as carry-on baggage.
Weight limit on trains - typically up to 300 kilograms including the user and luggage for an electric wheelchair that does not need assistance on the boarding aid.
Table of contents
- How far in advance do you need to notify the airline about an active wheelchair?
- What rules protect wheelchair users traveling by plane?
- What should you do with a lithium-ion battery before check-in?
- Can you take the Blumil Go electric drive on board a plane?
- How do you request assistance for a train journey?
- What specifications must a wheelchair meet to use a train boarding ramp?
- How do you plan a connection without losing your wheelchair space?
How far in advance do you need to notify the airline about an active wheelchair?
It is best to notify the airline that you are traveling with an active wheelchair no later than 48 hours before the flight, although some airlines accept shorter notice and others require more. This gives the carrier time to check that your equipment meets safety requirements, including the type and capacity of the battery, before you arrive at the airport. Missing the notification deadline is one of the more common causes of problems at check-in, so it is worth doing it right after you buy your ticket rather than just before the trip. Check the exact deadline and how to notify directly on your airline's website, because the differences between carriers can be significant.
What rules protect wheelchair users traveling by plane?
In the European Union, the rights of disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility traveling by air are governed by Regulation (EC) No 1107/2006, which limits the grounds for refusing carriage to just two situations. The first is safety, for example a battery that does not comply with the rules, and the second is the physical limitations of the aircraft, such as cargo hold doors that are too narrow. In any such case, the airline must promptly inform the passenger of the reason for its decision and, on request, provide it in writing within five working days. The carrier must also offer a real alternative - another flight, a change of itinerary or a full reimbursement of the ticket.
What should you do with a lithium-ion battery before check-in?
The lithium-ion battery in an electric drive must meet the requirements of the international UN38.3 standard, and its terminals must be protected against accidental short circuits before check-in. The battery capacity limits allowed on board vary between airlines, so check the exact Wh value directly with your carrier before you travel instead of assuming a single universal limit. Some airlines require the battery to be completely removed from the drive and carried separately as carry-on baggage, while others accept a battery mounted in the device. It is a good idea to carry the technical documentation of your equipment, including the battery type and capacity, in case you are asked at check-in.
Can you take the Blumil Go electric drive on board a plane?
The Blumil Go drive has an aviation certificate, so you can take it on board the plane as carry-on baggage. This solves one of the more common problems of traveling with an electric drive, because you do not have to hand the add-on over to the cargo hold or worry about its condition after it comes out of checked baggage. Its compact design and quick detachment, which takes about 5 seconds, also make it easier to carry the drive separately from the wheelchair during connections and check-in. In practice, this means that a user of the SPARX One with Blumil Go set can have full electric mobility as soon as they arrive, without waiting for their baggage.
How do you request assistance for a train journey?
Rail operators typically ask you to request assistance for a train journey at least 24 hours in advance, for example using a request form on the operator's website. With some operators, spaces for wheelchair users are reserved for eligible passengers only until 24 hours before the train leaves its departure station. After that, unused spaces are released for general sale and can be booked by other travelers, which means you lose the guaranteed space for your wheelchair. In the EU, rail passenger rights rules oblige rail operators to provide assistance to persons with reduced mobility when it has been requested in advance - check the exact procedure with the operator you are traveling with.
What specifications must a wheelchair meet to use a train boarding ramp?
Trains equipped with a ramp or lift are marked with a special symbol in the timetable, and the wheelchair itself must stay within certain technical limits to use such a boarding aid. Typically, the width of the wheelchair must not exceed 700 millimeters plus at least 50 millimeters on each side for the hands while moving, and the length must not exceed 1200 millimeters plus 50 millimeters for the feet. The smallest wheel must be able to cross a horizontal gap of 75 millimeters and a height difference of 50 millimeters, and the maximum height of the wheelchair with the user is 1375 millimeters. For an electric wheelchair that does not need assistance to cross the boarding aid, the permitted total load is up to 300 kilograms including the user and luggage.
How do you plan a connection without losing your wheelchair space?
If your journey includes a change of trains, allow at least 30 minutes for the connection - rail operators often recommend this for travelers who use assistance getting on and off the train. A shorter connection time increases the risk that staff will not be able to provide assistance in time, which has bigger consequences when traveling in a wheelchair than with a standard connection. Each leg of the journey with its own wheelchair space reservation must be requested in advance separately, just like the main part of the trip. A well-planned connection means less stress on the platform and a lower risk of the train leaving without the assistance you arranged.
Summary
Flight notice - no later than 48 hours before departure; check the exact deadline and battery limits with your airline.
Train notice - typically at least 24 hours before departure; with some operators the wheelchair space is released for general sale after that.
Blumil Go drive on board - the aviation certificate lets you take the add-on drive as carry-on baggage.
Boarding ramp specifications - gap up to 75 millimeters, height difference up to 50 millimeters, weight limit up to 300 kilograms for an electric wheelchair.