Small classroom for electric wheelchair boarding: understand the boarding process and precautions at once!
Posted by TTDBAdmin on
1. Can wheelchairs get on the plane? What should I pay attention to when using an electric wheelchair on a plane?
Whether you are traveling to a different place or abroad, if you bring an electric wheelchair that you are familiar with, you will not only be able to resume action immediately upon arrival, reducing your dependence on others, but also avoid trouble caused by unfamiliar operations. If you need to bring your wheelchair on board, below we will explain the procedures and precautions for bringing your electric wheelchair on board :
(1) Confirm the type of electric wheelchair battery
First, you need to confirm the type of battery. The battery types of electric wheelchairs are mainly divided into 2 categories:
Lead acid battery wheelchair
Electric wheelchairs with lead-acid batteries can usually go straight onto the plane . It should be noted that the battery and wheelchair must be unplugged before boarding to avoid short circuits.
Lithium battery electric wheelchair
Whether a lithium battery electric wheelchair can be carried on an airplane depends on whether it has UN 38.3 battery certification and whether the battery capacity (Wh) complies with the airline's regulations . According to the recommendations of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) , the watt-hour of a single battery must not exceed 300 Wh. If the wheelchair is equipped with 2 batteries, the watt-hour of each battery must not exceed 160 Wh.
| Battery capacity (Wh) | consignment | portable | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300 and above | ❎ | ❎ | |
| 300 to 160 | ❎ | ✅ | Only 1 can be carried. |
| Below 160 | ❎ | ✅ | You can only carry up to 2 pieces. |
📢Tips : Each airline may have different regulations for electric wheelchairs on board. It is recommended that you check the official website of each airline for the latest information to get the most accurate answer.
(2) Calculate lithium battery capacity
However, how to determine the capacity of lithium battery? Below we explain how to calculate it.
Step 1: Check the battery label
Lithium batteries usually have the following information printed on them:
- Ah (Ampere Hour): Indicates the amount of power a battery can provide. Some batteries are expressed in mAh (milliamp-hours), where 1Ah (ampere-hour) equals 1,000 mAh (milliamp-hours). If a battery is labeled 3,000mAh, its Ah (amp hour) value is 3.
- V (Voltage): Indicates the potential difference of the battery.
Step 2: Apply formula conversion
Find the Ah and V values of the battery to calculate. The calculation formula for lithium battery capacity is:
- Ah︸V＝Wh
For example, if the lithium battery is marked 3.7V, 2Ah, then its capacity is:
- 2AhＸ3.7V＝7.4Wh
(3) Check the airline’s regulations on wheelchairs on board the aircraft
There are no unified international legal regulations on the regulations for electric wheelchairs on board, and the specific regulations vary from airline to airline . Therefore, before purchasing a ticket, it is recommended to go to the airline's official website to confirm whether your electric wheelchair meets the standards for boarding. Inquiry methods usually include the following methods:
- Airlines official website
Take the Hong Kong Express (HK Express), which is frequently used by Hong Kong people, as an example. Most passengers usually inquire about relevant information through WhatsApp. However, for the convenience of customers, some considerate wheelchair merchants will provide documents commonly known as "aircraft letters" and fill-in templates for airline electric wheelchair application forms when purchasing goods .
The flight letter and template are prepared according to the requirements of the airline the customer is flying on, and contain all the electric wheelchair information that the airline needs to know. The merchant will fill in this information in advance, and the customer only needs to add personal information.
(4) Purchase tickets and notify the airline
Once you confirm that the electric wheelchair complies with the airline's regulations and can be carried on the plane, you can start purchasing the ticket. After completing the ticket purchase, it is recommended that you contact the airline proactively to inform you of your flight information and boarding requirements, and confirm that the airline has received the notification.
To avoid misunderstandings, you can ask the airline if it has provided a confirmation letter or documents to facilitate smooth communication with ground staff on the day. In addition, if the airline provides a wheelchair service application form, it is recommended that you also fill it out and submit it to the ground staff.
📢Tips : If your flight is with different airlines, or there are connecting flights, you need to confirm the relevant regulations of electric wheelchairs with each airline respectively.
(5) Things to note when using an electric wheelchair on a plane
After confirming the battery type, capacity and airline regulations, below we list 6 preparations that can be done before taking an electric wheelchair on the plane:
- Arrive at the airport early: It is recommended that you arrive at the airport 2 hours early to allow sufficient time for check-in and security check.
- Bring relevant documents: When you check-in at the check-in counter, please prepare a 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, etc. for inspection.
- Remember to remove the battery: If the 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 removable, 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 your electric wheelchair to avoid damage during transportation. You can also tie the entire power wheelchair with a rope to prevent it from accidentally opening.
- Wheelchairs need to be checked in the cabin: All types of wheelchairs need to be checked in the cabin and cannot be carried into the cabin as hand luggage. It should be noted that the "battery and controller" need to be placed in carry-on baggage on board the aircraft .
- Accompanying the passenger on the flight: The crew members are trained, and passengers with disabilities can usually take the flight by themselves. However, in order to avoid some emergencies, it is recommended to find a companion to take care of them during the flight.
Where can I buy an electric wheelchair? Click the link below to go to Tiantiandaidai to choose the style you need!
2. Can the lithium battery not be disassembled? Things to note when using lithium battery electric wheelchairs on airplanes
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 and interests of people with reduced mobility, some airlines allow non-removable electric wheelchairs to board the aircraft . According to the guidelines of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) , electric wheelchairs must meet the following conditions for boarding without removing the battery:
- Power supply protection : The power switch should take strict protection measures to prevent accidental turning on of the power due to collision or accidental touching.
- Battery Securing: The battery must be securely secured to the wheelchair to prevent accidental loosening, damage or loss during transportation.
- Consignment declaration: Wheelchairs must be transported by consignment, and the "Dangerous Goods Consignment Declaration Form" (NOTOC) must be filled out before consignment. NOTOC is a document for declaring dangerous goods. It needs to include battery model, specifications, quantity and other information. Please be sure to provide correct and complete information to facilitate the airline's safety inspection.
3. Which wheelchair is best to buy for an airplane? Recommend an electric wheelchair for daily transportation!
(1) Recommended wheelchairs that can board airplanes : LiteWheel extremely light electric wheelchair | Lightweight champion
The Litewheel electric wheelchair sold by Tiantian Mobility has many advantages. First of all, it is very light, weighing only 17 kilograms including the battery, which is lighter than the 20 kilograms maximum luggage weight allowed by general airlines. Secondly, the wheelchair adopts a simple X-bracket folding design, allowing you to easily fold it with one hand, making it easy to carry.
The battery capacity of the Litewheel electric wheelchair is 24V, 10Ah, and the capacity of a single battery is 240Wh, which complies with the battery capacity restrictions that most airlines allow to be carried on board. Not only that, the Litewheel wheelchair has passed ISO 13486 and EU CE certification, and the battery meets the United Nations transportation requirements and has passed the UN38.3 certification.
Therefore, if you want to buy a high-quality, 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 (2 battery version)
- Lithium battery capacity: 24V 10Ah/24V 20Ah
- Price: HKD 14,800 (single battery version) / HKD 15,800 (two battery version)
(Picture source/Tiantianbu official website)
(2) Why choose to travel every day ? 3 major advantages at a glance
◆ Easy boarding and worry-free travel
In order to ensure that you can successfully bring your electric wheelchair onto the plane, Tiantian Mobility will provide an "Flight Letter". In addition, if you are taking HK Express, Tiantian Mobility will also include a wheelchair service application form to help you board the plane easily and enjoy your journey.
◆ Professional assessment, personalized plan
Tiantian Mobility is different from ordinary rehabilitation supplies stores. It adheres to the core concept of "focus and professionalism". We will first have a deep understanding of your actual situation, and then provide you and your family with the best quality mobility aids and services.
◆ Rich products to meet diverse needs
In addition to electric wheelchairs, Tiantian Mobility also provides manual wheelchairs , electric nursing beds , crutches for the elderly and other mobility aids to meet the needs of different consumers.
(3) Traveling every day – customer feedback
It is difficult to appreciate the power of Tiantiandaibu by looking at the text alone. Below we have selected 2 real cases to give you a deeper understanding of the service quality of Tiantiandaibu:
✨Customer feedback 1
My mother had a hip surgery a few years ago and cannot walk long distances as she gets older, so I wanted to help her find an electric wheelchair. However, after looking at several stores, I always felt that they were all the same, and I even felt that some businesses were forcing sales. , the overall satisfaction is not high, so I didn’t buy it.
Until I came to Tiantian Daiyu, the staff in charge was very patient and let my mother try it out for more than half an hour. In addition, because we are traveling to Japan in May, we have been worried about whether we can successfully bring the wheelchair on the plane. After the responsible staff heard our concerns, they answered them carefully and provided relevant documents. We were very satisfied with the whole trial and experience process, so we decided to buy it on the spot!
Although I was still a little worried before getting on 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 introduced the features, advantages and disadvantages of each wheelchair in detail, and provided appropriate suggestions based on the needs of my wife and me.
Not only that, I am very satisfied with the actual use of the wheelchair that I use every day. First of all, on our trip to Japan, there was no problem getting the wheelchair in and out. It is lightweight and compact, doesn’t take up much space, and is easy to carry. In addition, the speed of the wheelchair is adjustable, allowing me to adjust the traveling speed according to my needs. Finally, Tiantiandaibu provides comprehensive after-sales service, allowing me to use it with peace of mind.
Where can I buy an electric wheelchair? Click the link below to go to Tiantiandaidai to choose the style you need!