Old, ailing and flying questions.

Legacy_user

Because I never thought I'd need it again, I allowed my passport to expire so am awaiting a new one. This is because we will probably be visiting Cyprus once/twice a year now.

As we will be staying with family, for our first summer visit, we won't need a great deal, so will be using cabin storage bags,(56 x 45 x 25). My wife is wondering if she will be allowed a small handbag as extra. I'm thinking, if she is, do men get an equivalent ie man-bag?.

If the answer is no to both these, I suppose it would be possible to use pockets of coat/body warmer type as extra.

My wife needs to use a three-wheeled mobility walking aid. We've been told two things. The first is that she should use it right up to aircraft steps/door then they will take it off her and return at destination. Or secondly that she should ask for wheelchair assistance and let the wheelie go to the hold, but then we will have to wait for carousel. She would prefer the former. Any comments on this please.

Caz3121

different airlines will have different rules, you would need to check with the airline what their rules are with handbag and walking frame

SW17

With those cabin bag dimensions, I'm guessing your airline is either BA or easyJet.

If BA, yes you are allowed a second smaller piece (max 40x30x15cm). In fact technically it is this smaller piece which is guaranteed to go on, but in practice you can take both.

If easyJet, you only get the 2nd piece allowance if you pay for upfront or Extra legroom seats (or have an easyJet Plus card, which I guess you don't). That 2nd piece can be up to 45x36x20cm.

These allowances appy to both men and women. Other airlines vary.

leylandsunaddict

Or it could be Jet2. In which case a second piece eg a handbag is at their discretion on the day.

The chances are the wheelie will reappear on the luggage belt whether it's checked in airside, or at the gate.

System

Sorry, I should have painted the full picture. Going is Aegean Airlines, return BA.
(Cyprus)

lisa110rry

Island man, of relevance is which UK airport you are using.

Returning to LHR from Thailand, our luggage came through the carousel that indicated our flight number, but separately, and considerably later and far away, the wheelchair came through the oversized luggage chute on "carousel" 1 (not really a carousel of course).

On the other hand, my husband was asked if he would need wheelchair assistance from baggage check to plane and he said no as we were taking the chair as a backup plan.

lisa110rry

ps Islandman, we have contacted several insurors, but BUPA remain cheapest for my husband, and they "throw in" cover for me.

System

Using Heathrow. This in itself seems to be long winded from Weymouth. Train to Woking, bus (part of transport link) to Heathrow. We didn't know till today that Thompson fly from Bournemouth at 1pm on Wednesdays but only in the season it appears. If we manage ok then we will do it again, if not, then anything I pick up here will be noted for the future.

knightstyle

We have used the wheelchair assistance at several airports including Paphos. The service in UK is usually very good but at other airports can be poor if they have too many people requiring assistance. Paphos is usually OK but on one occasion was very poor and ended with the wheelchair getting to the building after the doors were locked!
We now leave a wheelchair with family in France as we go often and it is better to use the airport wheelchairs from and to the car.
Make sure you book the assistance when booking the flight. Ask if the wheelchair can be accompanied by one of the party.

System

knightstyle wrote: »

We have used the wheelchair assistance at several airports including Paphos. The service in UK is usually very good but at other airports can be poor if they have too many people requiring assistance. Paphos is usually OK but on one occasion was very poor and ended with the wheelchair getting to the building after the doors were locked!
We now leave a wheelchair with family in France as we go often and it is better to use the airport wheelchairs from and to the car.
Make sure you book the assistance when booking the flight. Ask if the wheelchair can be accompanied by one of the party.

We are flying to Larnaca. My wife uses a mobility walker, but thought asking for wheelchair as an idea through airport throughout.

Bennifred

I highly recommend using airport assistance (wheelchair plus pusher) for anyone with poor mobility. Some of the distances covered in airports are loooooong. Also as a bonus, the wheelchair pushers tend to know exactly where they need to go, and get you through security etc without having to stand in queues. They should take you all the way to the gate on departure, and be there to meet you at the aircraft on arrival.