Assistance for partially sighted traveller
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 2
Assistance for partially sighted traveller
Does anyone have any experience of requesting and getting assistance from an airline or airport staff in helping someone go through the travelling process. i.e. getting through check-in, security, boarding gate etc
My mother who will be visiting Canada for the first time (I'll be taking her here, but she will be returning alone) is not only an inexperienced traveller, but partially sighted. So although I can help her check in, I'm concerned that she might struggle to deal with all the steps following that and get on the plane with limited stress.
She is travelling with Air Transat, and I am just about try find a contact and send an email to customer services or to whoever it may concern, but I hope I will not be given empty promises or worse, a "sorry we cant help" reply.
Just wondering if anyone has any experience of this?
Thanks
My mother who will be visiting Canada for the first time (I'll be taking her here, but she will be returning alone) is not only an inexperienced traveller, but partially sighted. So although I can help her check in, I'm concerned that she might struggle to deal with all the steps following that and get on the plane with limited stress.
She is travelling with Air Transat, and I am just about try find a contact and send an email to customer services or to whoever it may concern, but I hope I will not be given empty promises or worse, a "sorry we cant help" reply.
Just wondering if anyone has any experience of this?
Thanks
#2
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,013
Re: Assistance for partially sighted traveller
Does anyone have any experience of requesting and getting assistance from an airline or airport staff in helping someone go through the travelling process. i.e. getting through check-in, security, boarding gate etc
My mother who will be visiting Canada for the first time (I'll be taking her here, but she will be returning alone) is not only an inexperienced traveller, but partially sighted. So although I can help her check in, I'm concerned that she might struggle to deal with all the steps following that and get on the plane with limited stress.
She is travelling with Air Transat, and I am just about try find a contact and send an email to customer services or to whoever it may concern, but I hope I will not be given empty promises or worse, a "sorry we cant help" reply.
Just wondering if anyone has any experience of this?
Thanks
My mother who will be visiting Canada for the first time (I'll be taking her here, but she will be returning alone) is not only an inexperienced traveller, but partially sighted. So although I can help her check in, I'm concerned that she might struggle to deal with all the steps following that and get on the plane with limited stress.
She is travelling with Air Transat, and I am just about try find a contact and send an email to customer services or to whoever it may concern, but I hope I will not be given empty promises or worse, a "sorry we cant help" reply.
Just wondering if anyone has any experience of this?
Thanks
Just call the airline. Better than email. You could have booked it with the ticket.
#3
Re: Assistance for partially sighted traveller
i can confirm that Air Transat has EXCEPTIONAL service for people needing assistance.
I believe you need to book it, i think my parents used to call the customer service line but when my dad ( who wa sin a wheelchair) used to fly to Canada , he had assistance from the moment you check in to getting to the seat of the aircraft and then in reverse at the other end.
At Pearson Airtransat have a special check in desk for those needing assistance, i suspect it is similar at other airports.
Personally I am truly grateful to them, without their assistance dad wouldn't have been able to make the "one last time trip" before he passed
I believe you need to book it, i think my parents used to call the customer service line but when my dad ( who wa sin a wheelchair) used to fly to Canada , he had assistance from the moment you check in to getting to the seat of the aircraft and then in reverse at the other end.
At Pearson Airtransat have a special check in desk for those needing assistance, i suspect it is similar at other airports.
Personally I am truly grateful to them, without their assistance dad wouldn't have been able to make the "one last time trip" before he passed
#4
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2007
Location: Hamilton, ON
Posts: 185
Re: Assistance for partially sighted traveller
Seconded re. Transat - my Mum needs some assistance these days, and we've found Transat and the ground staff at LGW/YYZ to be the best combination (AC/BA and LHR didn't seem to work as well for her, YMMV but we've tried in Y/PY/J cabins over the years).
As I recall, you can indicate that assistance will be needed at the time of booking, and then follow up if you wish (first time I did with Transat, they were very helpful and supportive over the phone).
As I recall, you can indicate that assistance will be needed at the time of booking, and then follow up if you wish (first time I did with Transat, they were very helpful and supportive over the phone).
#5
Banned
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 19,879
Re: Assistance for partially sighted traveller
https://www.airtransat.com/en-CA/Tra...ical-Equipment
Inform your travel agent or Air Transat of the services you require directly at least 7 business days prior to departure.
At departure
Visual impairment
On the ground, an Air Transat agent will help you with:
Inform your travel agent or Air Transat of the services you require directly at least 7 business days prior to departure.
At departure
Visual impairment
On the ground, an Air Transat agent will help you with:
- Registration at the check-in counter
- Moving to the boarding area
- Transferring from your own mobility aid (if applicable)
- Pre-boarding
#6
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2011
Location: Orton, Ontario
Posts: 2,031
Re: Assistance for partially sighted traveller
Seconded re. Transat - my Mum needs some assistance these days, and we've found Transat and the ground staff at LGW/YYZ to be the best combination (AC/BA and LHR didn't seem to work as well for her, YMMV but we've tried in Y/PY/J cabins over the years).
As I recall, you can indicate that assistance will be needed at the time of booking, and then follow up if you wish (first time I did with Transat, they were very helpful and supportive over the phone).
As I recall, you can indicate that assistance will be needed at the time of booking, and then follow up if you wish (first time I did with Transat, they were very helpful and supportive over the phone).