You can take your mobility scooter on a plane, so long as you make the right preparations. By alerting the airline that you intend to travel with a scooter, you can make the experience altogether less stressful.
After all, thousands, if not millions, of people in the UK rely on mobility scooters to live their day-to-day lives. Whether that’s to see family and friends, visit the supermarket or pick up medication, mobility scooters are many people’s main means of unassisted transportation.
That’s why worries about air travel are completely understandable. You don’t want your scooter to be damaged or lost as you get to your destination, so it’s important to prepare for your trip before embarking.
Can you take a mobility scooter on a plane?
Yes, you can take a mobility scooter on a plane when travelling from the UK.
First, we’d advise you to inform your airline at least 48 hours before departure if you’ll need assistance. By doing this, staff can prepare for your arrival and ensure you have help at specific points.
If you have a disability that affects your mobility, you have the right to specific assistance at UK and EU airports. The Transport Support section of the UK government website states you should have:
- help at specific arrival points, such as terminal entrances, transport interchanges and car parks
- help to reach check-in
- help with registration at check-in
- help with moving through the airport if you need it, including to toilets
- help to board the plane
Where is the scooter stored in the plane?
The chair you’re taking away will be installed in the plane's hold.
You won’t be able to board the plane on your personal mobility scooter. Instead, you’ll use a transfer chair (provided by the airport) to be taken to your dedicated aisle wheelchair.
As the hold also carries passenger baggage, cargo and possibly other mobility aids, airlines must impose size restrictions to ensure there’s enough space.
Can you take a class 3 mobility scooter on a plane?
Whether you can take a class 3 mobility scooter on a plane depends on the airline you’re boarding with and the size of the battery.
The Civil Aviation Authority has recently imposed regulations on the size of lithium-ion batteries that can be carried on aircraft.
While scooter size restrictions vary from airline to airline, a vehicle with a 24v 14.5ah battery is not CAA-compliant and cannot be transported in the hold.
What types of mobility scooters can you take on a plane?
However, you can travel with a mobility scooter with a 24v 11.5ah battery. This may include any of the following types:
- Folding mobility scooters: These vehicles can be automatically folded or taken apart and stored in compact pieces. They typically feature a low seat height that’s ideal for comfortable travel.
- Lightweight scooters: As their name suggests, lightweight scooters are manufactured using alloys and detachable mechanisms.
- Travel scooters: These are designed specifically with travel in mind. They generally have a smaller frame, lighter weight and are designed to be transported via cars, trains and planes!
How do I prepare my mobility scooter for travel?
Just as you prepare for a holiday by packing a suitcase, there are several steps you can take to prepare your mobility scooter for airline travel.
- Check with your airline: Before heading to the airport, double-check that your mobility scooter meets the airline flight requirements. Do your research and provide the airline with the details of your mobility scooter’s size, model, make and weight.
- Ensure you have assistance: Make arrangements ahead of time, and most airlines will gladly take your scooter and assist you as you make your way through the airport.
- Add a label to your scooter: As a precautionary measure, you can attach a tear-proof label to your scooter with relevant personal information, like your full name and phone number.
- Remove items from scooter: Remove loose items from your scooter’s storage basket or lockable compartments before boarding.
Do wheelchairs or scooters count as luggage?
Airport baggage allowances are notoriously strict. As mobility scooters are stored in the hold, many wonder whether airlines see them as cargo or luggage.
Luckily for passengers, mobility scooters are not considered luggage and will not count towards your baggage allowance.
How much mobility equipment can I take?
According to the Civil Aviation Authority, passengers can take up to two mobility items for free. If you require a specific mobility aid as you touch down, the airline should consider this one of the two pieces of equipment you’re travelling with for free.
Take a Millercare mobility scooter abroad!
Don’t let restricted mobility stop you from seeing the world. With a Millercare mobility scooter, you can explore distant lands without worrying about fatigue or accessibility.
Discover our lightweight folding models with the Rascal mobility scooter collection. These compact boot scooters will fit nicely in cars, trains and planes! Or, if you’re looking for a powerful vehicle that ticks all the boxes, consider our larger class 3 mobility scooters.
