Small classroom for electric wheelchair boarding: understand the boarding process and precautions at once!
Posted by TTDBAdmin on
1. Can wheelchairs be brought on board? What should I pay attention to when taking an electric wheelchair on an airplane?
Whether you are traveling to a foreign place or abroad, if you bring an electric wheelchair that you are familiar with, you can not only resume mobility immediately upon arrival, reducing your dependence on others, but also avoid the trouble caused by unfamiliar operation. If you need to bring a wheelchair on board, we will explain the process and precautions for bringing an electric wheelchair on board below:
1. Confirm the type of battery for the electric wheelchair
First, you need to confirm the type of battery. There are two main types of batteries for electric wheelchairs:
Lead-acid battery wheelchair
Electric wheelchairs with lead-acid batteries can usually be taken directly on the aircraft . Please note that the battery and wheelchair must be unplugged before boarding to avoid short circuit.
Lithium battery electric wheelchair
Whether a lithium battery electric wheelchair can be carried on board an aircraft 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 recommendations of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) , the watt-hour of a single battery should not exceed 300 Wh. If the wheelchair is equipped with 2 batteries, the watt-hour of each battery should not exceed 160 Wh.
| Battery capacity (Wh) | Shipment | portable | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300 and above | ❎ | ❎ | |
| 300 to 160 | ❎ | ✅ | Can only carry 1. |
| 160 or less | ❎ | ✅ | You can only carry a maximum of 2. |
📢Reminder : Different airlines may have different regulations on electric wheelchairs. It is recommended that you check the official website of each airline for the latest information to obtain the most accurate answer.
(II) Calculating the capacity of lithium batteries
However, 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 (ampere-hour): This refers to the amount of electricity a battery can provide. Some batteries are measured in mAh (milliampere-hours), where 1Ah (ampere-hour) equals 1,000 mAh (milliampere-hours). If a battery is labeled 3,000mAh, then its Ah (ampere-hour) value is 3.
- V (voltage): represents the potential difference of the battery.
Step 2: Apply the conversion formula
Find the Ah, V value of the battery and you can do the calculation. 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
(III) Check the airline's regulations on wheelchairs on board aircraft
There are no uniform legal regulations internationally regarding the boarding of electric wheelchairs, and the specific regulations vary from airline to airline . Therefore, before purchasing a ticket, it is recommended that you visit the airline's official website to confirm whether your electric wheelchair meets the standards for boarding. The query methods usually include the following:
- Airline official website
Taking HK Express, a train frequently used by Hong Kong people, as an example, most passengers usually inquire about relevant information through WhatsApp. However, in order to facilitate customers, some considerate wheelchair merchants will provide a document commonly known as an "airplane letter" and a template for filling out the airline's electric wheelchair application form when purchasing the product .
The airplane letter and template are prepared according to the requirements of the airline the customer is traveling with, and 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 supplement personal information.
4. Purchase tickets and notify the airline
Once you have confirmed that your electric wheelchair meets the airline's regulations and can be carried on board, you can proceed to purchase your ticket. After completing the ticket purchase, it is recommended that you proactively contact the airline to inform it of your flight information and boarding requirements, and confirm that the airline has received the notification.
To avoid misunderstandings, you can ask the airline whether they have provided a confirmation letter or document to facilitate communication with ground staff on the day of departure. In addition, if the airline provides a wheelchair service application form, it is recommended that you also complete it and submit it to the ground staff.
📢Reminder : If you are taking different flights to and from different airlines, or have a connecting flight, 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 6 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 the confirmation letter or WhatsApp conversation record and provide it to the ground staff. At the same time, it is recommended to bring relevant documents such as the electric wheelchair battery manual , battery inspection and test report for inspection.
- Remember to remove the battery: If your electric wheelchair is equipped with a removable battery, please remove it and pack it properly before boarding, and use insulating tape to protect the connection location. If the controller is detachable, it is recommended to disassemble it together to avoid damage during transportation.
- Install protective equipment: It is recommended that you install a protective cover on the electric wheelchair to avoid damage during transportation. You can also tie down the entire electric wheelchair with ropes to prevent it from opening accidentally.
- All wheelchairs must be checked in: All types of wheelchairs must be checked in and cannot be carried in the cabin as carry-on baggage. Please note that "batteries and controllers" must be placed in carry-on luggage when boarding the aircraft .
- Accompanying a person on board: The crew is trained, and disabled passengers can usually board the plane by themselves. 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 go to Tiantian Daibu to choose the style you need!
2. Can the lithium battery be left unassembled? Things to note when boarding a lithium battery electric wheelchair
When boarding a lithium battery electric wheelchair, the battery usually needs to be removed. However, the batteries of some wheelchairs cannot be removed. In order 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 carried on board without removing the battery if they meet the following conditions:
- Power protection : Strict protection measures should be taken for the power switch to prevent collision or accidental touch that may cause 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.
- Consignment declaration: The wheelchair must be shipped as consignment and the "Declaration Form for Consignment of Dangerous Goods" (NOTOC) must be filled out before consignment. NOTOC is a document for declaring dangerous goods. It must include information such as battery model, specifications, quantity, etc. Please be sure to provide correct and complete information to facilitate the airline's safety inspection.
3. Which wheelchair should I buy for taking the plane? Recommend electric wheelchair for daily transportation!
1. Recommended wheelchairs for airplanes : LiteWheel Ultra-light electric wheelchair | Lightweight champion
The Litewheel electric wheelchair sold by Tiantian Daibu has many advantages. First of all, it is very light, weighing only 17 kg including the battery, which is lighter than the maximum checked luggage weight of 20 kg allowed by general airlines. Secondly, the wheelchair adopts a simple X-bracket folding design, which allows you to easily fold it with one hand and is convenient to carry.
The battery capacity of Litewheel electric wheelchair is 24V, 10Ah, and the capacity of a single battery is 240Wh, which meets the battery capacity restrictions allowed by most airlines to be carried on board. Not only that, Litewheel wheelchairs are ISO 13486 and EU CE certified, and the batteries meet UN transportation requirements and have passed and possess UN38.3 certification.
Therefore, if you want to buy a high-quality and safe electric wheelchair to take on the plane, it is recommended to choose the LiteWheel ultra-light electric wheelchair for daily transportation!
- 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 (double battery version)
(Photo source: Tiantian Daibu official website)
2. Why choose Tiantian as your means of transportation ? 3 major advantages at a glance
◆ Easy boarding and worry-free travel
In order to ensure that you can bring your electric wheelchair on board smoothly, Tiantian Daibu will provide an "Airplane Letter". In addition, if you are travelling with HK Express, Tiantian Mobility will also provide a wheelchair service application form to help you board the plane easily and enjoy your journey.
◆ Professional assessment, personalized solutions
Tiantiandaibu is different from other rehabilitation product stores. We adhere to the core concept of "focus leads to professionalism" and will first gain a deep understanding of your actual situation before providing you and your family with the best 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 , elderly crutches and other mobility aids to meet the needs of different consumers.
(III) Daily Transportation - Customer Feedback
It is difficult to appreciate the power of Tiantian Daibu just by reading the text. Below we have selected 2 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. As she got older, she couldn't walk far, 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. The overall satisfaction was not high, so I didn't buy any.
Until we arrived at Tiantian Daibu, the staff in charge was very patient and let my mother try it for more than half an hour. In addition, because we are traveling to Japan in May, we have been worried about whether we can bring the wheelchair on the plane smoothly. After hearing our concerns, the responsible staff carefully answered them and provided relevant documents. We were very satisfied with the entire trial and experience process, so we decided to buy it on the spot!
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 introduced the characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of each wheelchair, and provided appropriate suggestions based on the needs of me and my wife.
Not only that, I am also very satisfied with the actual use of the wheelchair that I use every day. Firstly, on our trip to Japan, we had no problem getting the wheelchair in and out, it's light and small, doesn't take up much space, and is easy to carry. In addition, the wheelchair is speed-adjustable, allowing me to adjust the speed of travel according to my needs. Finally, Tiantian Daibu provides comprehensive after-sales service, which makes me feel at ease when using it.
Where can I buy an electric wheelchair? Click the link below to go to Tiantian Daibu to choose the style you need!