Confused.com: Best way to travel with disabled partner

sal-ad_daze

Hi,
Looking for some advice as I am totally confused and don't know which option is best!
A little background; My daughter and her family live in Grand Cayman and my husband has never been to visit their home. He suffers with Ankykosing Spondilitis so is in permanent backpain, he has balance issues, cannot walk a great distance and cannot sit upright for long periods of time. He is also diabetic.
He is 70 this year and our greatest wish is for us all to be together to celebrate his birthday, with this in mind I started a little research.
The only 'direct' flight to Grand Cayman is via British Airways with a stop at Nassau. This flight (for the time we want to travel, Easter 2017) costs £900+ each economy.
We were looking at upgrading to Economy plus which would give us better seating, more room, priority boarding etc. but with BA this costs over 1K more each!
I have found flights with Air Canada via Toronto with an overnight stop in Toronto and I can upgrade to Economy plus for about £500 more than the direct BA flights. It means a longer journey, a trip to a hotel (perhaps with luggage I don't know) and the same on return.
Ideally I would love to do the BA with upgrade but can't afford the 1K plus each. Why is BA so much more expensive
Flights via the USA seem to entail at least 2 lay overs which I'm trying to avoid.
So, you seasoned travellers out there, am I missing something? Is there a better way?
Ideas and advice welcome. Thanks
PS; I'm looking for 3 adults and 1 child (8yrs)

jackieblack

What are your dates and where would you be flying from?

agrinnall

Skyscanner is good for checking options, you can specify class of travel and number of stops. Might be worth checking different days in case it's any cheaper on some days.

richardw

I have stayed at the Sheraton Gateway hotel Toronto airport and it's very convenient for the terminals, no shuttle bus, you just walk there and use the shuttle train.

The Alt hotel at the airport is also connected via the shuttle train and is cheaper than the Sheraton.

Btw Air Canada do a daytime flight from Toronto to Heathrow, could be good if that would be easier for your husband.

sal-ad_daze

jackieblack wrote: »

What are your dates and where would you be flying from?

Ideally Manchester, although I am aware that means a transfer at Heathrow.
It is the Easter Holidays, my daughter is a teacher and my granddaughter wouldn't be allowed a full 2 weeks away from school. The BA flight is only once a week so I was looking at 31st March 2017 which is the day the flight is on (Friday), I think school will allow a day or two but not 2 weeks. Return around 14th April.

Easter is a 2 week holiday and will give us time to save!!! lol

sal-ad_daze

Bogalot wrote: »

Air Canada do not offer PE on the Grand Cayman flights. That would account for the difference in cost.

According to the person I spoke with at Air Canada the price quoted was for E+ right through, from London that is not Manchester. I rang them to get confirmation because I just couldn't believe the difference between theirs and BA's!

elsien

Have you factored insurance costs into your planning as with his age and illness that could be expensive on top of your other costs.

Cindy12

I know exactly how you feel and think its degusting that B A charge £1000 more just to upgrade. Why are airlines so greedy and I do think they should look more kindly on disabled passengers.
I am disabled myself and would love to visit New Orleans before I die. I am 78 and have cc cancer. I just want to travel on a paddle steamer up the Mississippi River. I have my American Passport so it should be easy? Its just the money for the flight and insurance.
Oh well maybe someone can wave a magic wand and I will realise my dream before I die.......

sal-ad_daze

elsien wrote: »

Have you factored insurance costs into your planning as with his age and illness that could be expensive on top of your other costs.

I am aware that insurance will be a big expense, especially due to our destination. We have had travel insurance previously (admitedly a good few years back) I am aware of the companies that specialise in this kind of insurance. It's not worth contacting them until the trip is definate.

Archergirl

Look into getting a bank account with inc added. We are with Nationwide.

greenface

Archergirl wrote: »

Look into getting a bank account with inc added. We are with Nationwide.

PEMC are difficult to cover and not normally covered well with your bank .