The short answer
Ask the airline about assistance when you book, not at the airport. Choose an itinerary with comfortable connections, carry medicines in their original packaging in hand baggage, and keep documents where you can reach them. This guide is general information about planning a flight. It is not medical advice: ask a doctor about whether and how someone should travel.
Key terms in plain English
- Assistance: help the airline and airport can arrange, such as a wheelchair to the gate or help boarding. Names and rules differ by airline and airport.
- Connection time: the gap between two flights. A tight one is stressful for anyone.
- Hand baggage: the bag you keep with you, where medicines and documents belong.
Step by step
- Choose the flights. Prefer fewer connections, daytime flights and a gap between flights that leaves room to move without hurrying.
- Ask for assistance when you book. Contact the airline, say what help would make the journey easier, and ask for the confirmation in writing. Ask again before you fly.
- Pick seats with care. An aisle seat, or a seat near the front, can be easier to reach. Ask the airline what is possible.
- Plan the airport. Know where assistance meets you, and allow extra time at departures and on arrival.
- Pack for the journey. Keep medicines, the prescription, glasses and chargers in hand baggage, with a written list of medicines and contacts.
- Arrange the other end. An airport pick-up means someone is waiting and luggage is handled.
Where the official pages are
India’s civil aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, publishes passenger information. If you fly to or from the UK, the UK regulator’s air passengers page is the place to look for passenger rights and assistance.
Checklist
- To do: Ask a doctor about whether and how each person should travel
- To do: Choose comfortable connections and daytime flights where possible
- To do: Ask the airline about assistance, and keep the confirmation
- To do: Choose seats with the airline’s help
- To do: Carry medicines in original packaging, with the prescription, in hand baggage
- To do: Write down medicines, doctors and contacts on paper
- To do: Arrange the airport pick-up and tell the family where to meet
Common mistakes
- Asking for help at the airport. Ask when you book.
- Choosing the shortest connection. Comfort beats saving a little time.
- Putting medicines in checked baggage. Keep them with you.
- Forgetting the paperwork for medicines. See our guide on medicines and food across borders.
- Not telling the travel cover. Check its wording before you buy.
Things that change
Assistance procedures, baggage rules and airport layouts change, and each airline has its own terms. Read the airline’s current page when you book.
Verify before you act
Read your airline’s accessibility page, the airport’s page for assistance and your cover’s wording. For advice about health, speak to a doctor.