What is the rules for disabled seating on a plane?

CUTESMILE

My husband is a wheelchair user so when we fly he informs the travel agent when booking that he needs to be near a toilet as can't walk very well so has to use sticks whilst on a plane.

We have travelled many times since he has been suffering with psoriatic arthritis.

We have been told by Co-op Travel that Thomas Cook have a new policy that if you require to sit in medical seats then you need to provide a GP's letter stating the reason why you need to sit in these seats. They also said that you may or may not get asked to show this letter but if you do and you don't have a letter you will be told that you have to move to another seat and another person with a letter can sit in your seat. We asked Thomas Cook what would happen if this happened and you could not walk to another seat, their reply was that the plan seating arrangement would have to be re-arranged (bit daft if people have pre-paid for their seating).

We was not told about this before booking a holiday but a few days afterwards.

Bit stupid having a policy which they may or not deem to use.

Surely as a paying passenger you should not be made to pay your GP for a letter every time you fly.

I asked Thomas Cook about a FREMEC card but had no reply and mentioned this to the travel agent and they hadn't heard of them.

I asked First choice what there policy was and was told they didn't have this policy or have FREMEC card system.

Just been away with Thomson and they didn't ask for a letter of proof of disability.

Travel agent said that this is been asked for as people abuse the system to sit in extra legroom seats. If I'm honest the medical seats don't appear to have much more legroom then any other seat.

Has anyone had this problem or know if they can do this?

Many thanks

Mr_Wang

CUTESMILE wrote: »

My husband is a wheelchair user so when we fly he informs the travel agent when booking that he needs to be near a toilet as can't walk very well so has to use sticks whilst on a plane.

We have travelled many times since he has been suffering with psoriatic arthritis.

We have been told by Co-op Travel that Thomas Cook have a new policy that if you require to sit in medical seats then you need to provide a GP's letter stating the reason why you need to sit in these seats. They also said that you may or may not get asked to show this letter but if you do and you don't have a letter you will be told that you have to move to another seat and another person with a letter can sit in your seat. We asked Thomas Cook what would happen if this happened and you could not walk to another seat, their reply was that the plan seating arrangement would have to be re-arranged (bit daft if people have pre-paid for their seating).

We was not told about this before booking a holiday but a few days afterwards.

Bit stupid having a policy which they may or not deem to use.

Surely as a paying passenger you should not be made to pay your GP for a letter every time you fly.

I asked Thomas Cook about a FREMEC card but had no reply and mentioned this to the travel agent and they hadn't heard of them.

I asked First choice what there policy was and was told they didn't have this policy or have FREMEC card system.

Just been away with Thomson and they didn't ask for a letter of proof of disability.

Travel agent said that this is been asked for as people abuse the system to sit in extra legroom seats. If I'm honest the medical seats don't appear to have much more legroom then any other seat.

Has anyone had this problem or know if they can do this?

Many thanks

Look at it this way - At least only genuine passengers will occupy those seats.
And if it is a long term condition get the Dr to write this on the letter. He/she has the authority to validate a letter for many years.

In terms of cost perhaps you should speak to your Dr, I know mine would do it for free. Perhaps yours will?

CUTESMILE

Mr_Wang wrote: »

Look at it this way - At least only genuine passengers will occupy those seats.
And if it is a long term condition get the Dr to write this on the letter. He/she has the authority to validate a letter for many years.

In terms of cost perhaps you should speak to your Dr, I know mine would do it for free. Perhaps yours will?

We've already paid for one but it only says for this flight. All I wanted to know if you have to do this every time? And what TC said you might get asked or you might not, if so then it's not a proper policy that they adhere to if they just do it when they feel like it

Dimey

I know someone with lymphoedema to the legs and he has to supply a doctor's letter in advance of booking a seat where he can move his legs and have the letter available in flight.

I remember him having to do this as far back as 15 years with British Airways, Virgin and American Airlines. No extra charges.

stephb34

It is a new rule so maybe the travel agent didn't know on the day you booked about it, but upon ringing the special needs department they would have been told a letter was required. As for being asked to show your proof maybe they only ask when there are several people needing these medical seats and they need to assess who needs the seats the most. If there's enough seats available for the people who need them then they probably don't ask for your letter.