Flying with a Mobility Scooter
As a scooter user it can be necessary to take your requirements into account for any trip, but if you’re flying there can be a few more things to consider. So if you’re planning a trip abroad but rely on a scooter to stay mobile, see below for advise on taking your mobility scooter with you.
Its important to check the terms of airlines first to ensure they can accommodate your needs before booking your holiday. Click the links below for more details on travelling with some of the major airlines as well as more information from the Government website.
Its a good idea to notify the airline of your requirements when booking as well as prior to flying, so that they can make any necessary arrangements for you to travel as smoothly as possible.
You’ll need to notify them of the type and the measurements of the scooter; pavement and road legal scooters are too large to travel with but many of the boot scooter models, that can be broken down into manageable parts or have a folding mechanism, are suitable to take on a plane.
You should contact the airline the day before you fly to tell them you will be bringing a mobility scooter. It is likely they will ask you for details such as the battery type, specifications and make and model of the scooter, so make sure you have this information when you contact them. Its also a good idea to take the scooter manual with you as proof as well as for your own information.
There will also likely be forms you need to complete before travelling and some medical information may also be required to prove your reliance on the scooter.
You must also be aware of, and check the rules for, the type of battery your scooter uses. Lithium (Li-Ion) batteries have additional rules for safety purposes and its crucial that you check your batteries are compliant before travelling.
Airlines have their own restrictions but generally a single Li-Ion battery should not exceed 300Wh and two batteries should not exceed 160Wh each (if the watt hours (Wh) are not displayed on your battery, you can multiply the amp hours (Ah) by the voltage).
Most lead acid (SLA) and nickel metal hydride (NiMH) are safe and can stay connected to the scooter but lithium batteries must be removed from the scooter to prevent short-circuiting.
You also need to ensure that you package the battery safely in a protective layer such as bubble wrap, in accordance with the International Air Transport Association (IATA)
