Small classroom for electric wheelchair boarding: understand the boarding process and precautions at once!
Posted by TTDBAdmin on
1. Can wheelchairs be brought on airplanes? What precautions should be taken when bringing an electric wheelchair on an airplane?
Whether you're traveling to a new city or abroad, bringing a familiar electric wheelchair with you will not only allow you to resume mobility immediately upon arrival, reducing your reliance on others, but also avoid the hassles caused by unfamiliar operation. If you need to bring your wheelchair on board, below we will explain the procedures and precautions for bringing an electric wheelchair on board :
(1) Confirm the type of electric wheelchair battery
First, you need to confirm the type of battery. Electric wheelchair batteries are mainly divided into two categories:
Lead-acid battery wheelchair
Electric wheelchairs with lead-acid batteries can usually be taken directly on board . However, it is important to unplug the battery and wheelchair before boarding to avoid short circuits.
Lithium battery electric wheelchair
Whether a lithium-ion battery-powered wheelchair can be carried on board depends on whether it has UN 38.3 battery certification and whether the battery capacity (watt-hours) meets the airline's regulations . According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) recommendations , the watt-hour of a single battery must not exceed 300 Wh. If the wheelchair is equipped with two batteries, the watt-hour of each battery must not exceed 160 Wh.
| Battery capacity (Wh) | Consignment | portable | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300 and above | ❎ | ❎ | |
| 300 to 160 | ❎ | ✅ | Can only carry 1. |
| Below 160 | ❎ | ✅ | You can only carry a maximum of 2. |
📢Reminder : Regulations regarding electric wheelchairs may vary between airlines. We recommend that you check the official websites of each airline for the latest information to obtain the most accurate answers.
(2) Calculating lithium battery capacity
But how do you determine the capacity of a lithium battery? Below we explain how to calculate it.
Step 1: Check the battery label
The following information is usually printed on lithium batteries:
- Ah (Ah): This indicates the amount of charge a battery can provide. Some batteries are expressed in mAh (milliampere-hours), with 1Ah equal to 1,000 mAh. If a battery is labeled 3,000mAh, its Ah value is 3.
- V (voltage): represents the potential difference of the battery.
Step 2: Apply the conversion formula
Find the Ah and V values of the battery to calculate. The calculation formula for lithium battery capacity is:
- Ah x V = Wh
For example, if a lithium battery is marked with 3.7V and 2Ah, then its capacity is:
- 2Ah x 3.7V = 7.4Wh
(3) Check the airline's wheelchair boarding regulations
There are no internationally agreed regulations regarding the carriage of electric wheelchairs on board aircraft, and specific regulations vary from airline to airline . Therefore, before purchasing a ticket, it is recommended that you first visit the airline's official website to confirm whether your electric wheelchair meets the standards for carriage. This information can usually be found through the following channels:
- Airline official website
For example, Hong Kong Express, a popular traveler in Hong Kong, often uses WhatsApp to check for information. However, some considerate wheelchair vendors, to make things easier for customers, provide a document commonly known as an "airplane letter" and a template for an airline's electric wheelchair application form when purchasing.
The airplane letter and template are prepared according to the requirements of the airline the customer is traveling with. They contain all the information about electric wheelchairs that the airline needs to know. The merchant will fill in this information in advance, and the customer only needs to fill in personal information.
(IV) Purchase tickets and notify the airline
Once you've confirmed that your electric wheelchair meets the airline's regulations and is allowed on board, you can proceed with purchasing your ticket. After purchasing your ticket, we recommend that you contact the airline to inform them of your flight details and boarding requirements, and confirm that the airline has received the notification.
To avoid misunderstandings, you can ask the airline if they have provided a confirmation letter or other documentation to facilitate communication with ground staff on the day of your flight. Additionally, if the airline provides a wheelchair service request form, it is recommended that you complete and submit this to ground staff.
📢Reminder : If you are traveling to and from different airlines, or have connecting flights, you will need to confirm the relevant regulations of electric wheelchairs with each airline.
(V) Precautions for boarding an electric wheelchair
After confirming the battery type, capacity, and airline regulations, here are six things you can do before taking your electric wheelchair on board:
- Arrive at the airport early: It is recommended that you arrive at the airport 2 hours early to allow enough time for check-in and security checks.
- Bring relevant documents: When checking in at the check-in counter, please prepare your confirmation letter or WhatsApp chat record and provide it to the ground staff. It is also recommended to bring relevant documents such as the electric wheelchair battery manual and battery inspection test report for inspection.
- Remember to remove the battery: If your electric wheelchair has a removable battery, please remove it and properly pack it before boarding, using insulating tape to protect the connection point. If the controller is removable, it is recommended to remove it as well to avoid damage during transportation.
- Install protective equipment: It is recommended that you add a protective cover to the electric wheelchair to prevent damage during transportation. You can also tie the entire electric wheelchair with rope to prevent it from accidentally opening.
- Wheelchairs must be checked in the cabin: All wheelchairs must be checked in the cabin and cannot be carried in the cabin as carry-on baggage. Please note that batteries and controllers must be carried in your carry-on baggage .
- Accompanying a person: The crew is trained, and disabled passengers can usually fly on their own. However, in order to avoid some emergencies, it is recommended to find a companion to accompany and take care of them.
Where can I buy an electric wheelchair? Click the link below to find the model you need at Tiantiandaibu!
2. Can the lithium battery be left on? Precautions for taking a lithium battery electric wheelchair on an airplane
When boarding an electric wheelchair with a lithium battery, the battery usually needs to be removed. However, some wheelchairs have batteries that cannot be removed. To protect the rights of people with limited mobility, some airlines allow non-detachable electric wheelchairs on board . According to the guidelines of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) , electric wheelchairs can be boarded without removing the battery if they meet the following conditions:
- Power supply protection : Strict protection measures should be taken for the power switch to prevent collision or accidental touch from causing the power to be turned on by mistake.
- Battery Securing: The battery must be properly secured to the wheelchair to prevent it from accidentally becoming loose, damaged or lost during transport.
- Checked Declaration: Wheelchairs must be shipped as checked baggage and require the completion of a Dangerous Goods Declaration Form (NOTOC) before check-in. This NOTOC is a document used to declare dangerous goods and must include information such as battery model, specifications, and quantity. Please ensure that all information is correct and complete to facilitate airline security checks.
Which wheelchair is best for airplanes? I recommend the Tiantian Electric Wheelchair!
(1) Recommended airplane wheelchair : LiteWheel Ultra-Light Electric Wheelchair | Lightweight Champion
The Litewheel electric wheelchair sold by Tiantian Daibu offers several advantages. First, it's incredibly lightweight, weighing only 17 kg including the battery, which is lighter than the typical airline's maximum checked luggage allowance of 20 kg. Second, the wheelchair features a simple X-shaped folding design, allowing for easy single-handed folding and portability.
The Litewheel electric wheelchair's battery capacity is 24V, 10Ah, and each battery has a capacity of 240Wh, which meets the battery capacity restrictions allowed on most airlines. Furthermore, the Litewheel wheelchair is ISO 13486 and EU CE certified, and the battery meets UN transport requirements and has passed and possesses UN38.3 certification.
Therefore, if you want to buy a high-quality and safe electric wheelchair to take on the plane, we recommend the LiteWheel ultra-light electric wheelchair that you use every day!
- Endurance: 13km (single battery version) / 26km (dual battery version)
- Lithium battery capacity: 24V 10Ah/24V 20Ah
- Price: HK$14,800 (single battery version) / HK$15,800 (dual battery version)
(Photo source/Tiantian Daibu official website)
2. Why choose Tiantian Transportation ? 3 major advantages at a glance
◆ Easy boarding and worry-free travel
To ensure you can bring your electric wheelchair on board, Tiantian Debu provides an "Airplane Letter." Additionally, if you're travelling with Hong Kong Express, Tiantian Debu also provides a wheelchair service application form to help you board the aircraft with ease and enjoy your journey.
◆ Professional assessment, personalized solutions
Unlike other rehabilitation product stores, Tiantiandaimo adheres to the core concept of "focus on professionalism" and will first gain a deep understanding of your actual situation before providing you and your family with the highest quality mobility aids and services.
◆ Rich products to meet diverse needs
In addition to electric wheelchairs, Tiantian Daibu also provides manual wheelchairs , electric nursing beds , crutches for the elderly and other mobility aids to meet the needs of different consumers.
(3) Daily Transportation - Customer Feedback
It's hard to fully appreciate the power of Tiantian Daibu just by reading the text. Below we have selected two real cases to give you a deeper understanding of Tiantian Daibu's service quality:
✨Customer Feedback 1
My mother had hip surgery a few years ago and can't walk far as she's older, so I wanted to find an electric wheelchair for her. But after looking at several, I felt that they were all the same. I even felt that some merchants were forcing their sales. My overall satisfaction was not high, so I didn't buy any.
When we arrived at Tiantian Demo, the staff was very patient and let my mother try out the wheelchair for over half an hour. We were also concerned about traveling to Japan in May and would be able to bring the wheelchair on board. The staff at Tiantian Demo were attentive and provided us with the necessary documentation. We were so satisfied with the entire trial and experience that we decided to purchase it right away!
Although I was a little worried before boarding the plane, it turned out that these worries were unnecessary. The whole journey was smooth and there were no difficulties at all!
✨Customer Feedback 2
I went to the store to try out wheelchairs three times. Each time, the staff in charge carefully and in detail explained the characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of each wheelchair model and provided appropriate suggestions based on the needs of my wife and me.
Furthermore, I'm very satisfied with the Tiantian Daibu wheelchair I use. First, during our trip to Japan, the wheelchair had no problem entering and leaving Japan. It's lightweight and compact, taking up very little space and making it easy to carry. Furthermore, the wheelchair's adjustable speed allows me to adjust my travel speed to my needs. Finally, Tiantian Daibu provides comprehensive after-sales service, giving me peace of mind.
Where can I buy an electric wheelchair? Click the link below to find the model you need at Tiantiandaibu!