Overview

I was travelling by air for the first time since using a wheelchair. I was helped to the airport and helped to check in by my sister and was meeting the person I was travelling with at the airport. The check-in staff (Virgin Atlantic) were very helpful and directed to an area upstairs for disabled people, I was allowed to use my own wheelchair at all times. After my friend arrived we were escorted to another area so we had priority boarding. The Virgin Atlantic staff were very helpful and kept me informed. I didn’t need assistance to get to my seat as seat backs gave me enough support. My wheelchair needed to be put in the hold but on both legs it was waiting for me when I got off the plane. I was given assistance with hand luggage, as I had a medical device we had more than most so needed an extra person as just one other person could not push the wheelchair and pull/carry the hand luggage. Security was very quick and easy. I can’t got through the security scanner even if I could walk as I have a pacemaker. The staff accepted this and just gave me a normal pat down, much better than Miami Airport where they made me sit for half an hour before making the slightest effort to let me through. I realise quite a lot of this was due to the airline staff but the staff at Heathrow wee excellent compared to Miami in the way back. The worst point was that parking is charged for, I can’t use public transport and have a blue badge. There is no other option for me to get to the airport.

Transport & Parking

2

Access

4

Toilets

2.5

Staff

4.5