vivi

Just heard from Mum today that she will come out on holiday at Christmas prior to hopefully settling out here permanently, visa willing! Trouble is she is scared of flying! Has anyone any experience of airlines that look after little old 75 year olds, you know the thing, put them on the right plane etc. No she is not doddery, far from it, but cannot walk long distances and would obviously be a bit nervous when it comes to planes. This is the same dear lady who thinks nothing of driving herself and the dog from Somerset to the Highlands of Scotland on her own. (I think the dog did share the driving tho'..... he shares everything else!!)
Many thanks, all help appreciated!
ViVi

Perthforme

Most airlines will be very good prewarn them maybe that she may need a lift to the gate from checkin etc and she will get a ride in one of those golf buggy things beep beep beep

floss

Quite a few years ago my aged grandmother flew to Paris - okay, not as far but I guess the principal is the same! She was greeted at the ticket terminal & wisked off on one of those buggies right to the departure gate, where a sweet hostess sat her down and then collected her and showed her to her seat on the plane. The same thing happened at the other end.

I can't remember which airline this was, but I think this kind of escort service is probably available on all (I certainly used it flying as an unaccompanied child, years ago - on Emirates).

I would suggest doing a search on here for the many threads on airline service and then contact those that are recommended (Cathay Pacific & Emirates score highly if I remember rightly) and see what they say. The other thing to bear in mind is the individual flight sector length and the number of stops..... a kind of balancing act according to what would suit her best.

Hope all the plans go well - you must be thrilled. I'm hoping my parents will follow us out when we make the move, especially after reading recent posts about the emotional fallout of being so far away from loved ones when their health starts failing....

jul44

Hi Vivi,

I am sure that most airlines will take good care of your Mum.
My Grandmother who is 86 and blind, travels to South Africa on her own once a year and has nothing but praises for all the staff that look after her, get her baggage sorted for her etc.
She gets to board the plane before everyone else and has plenty of attention throughout the flight.

Your Mum will be just fine, sounds like she is very independent anyway.
Hope that you all have a good time together when she arrives.

Julie.

Steve2438

Hi Vivi

What you are looking for is called "special services" and they are the handling agents for the airline,so find out which airline you are using,and find the HA for them,contact them and give details/flight,they will do the rest and i dont think it cost a penny...hope your mum has a great time