Elderly parent travelling to nz ?
#1
Dorset to Dunedin
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2004
Location: Dunedin SI
Posts: 457
Elderly parent travelling to nz ?
We have been in nz over 9 years and in that time I have been back to Poole 3 times to see family , and since my father passed away in April this year me old mum who is 79 has decided she wants to visit us ? Thrilled as we are , who do we talk to airline wise to get her help at airports and on plane ect ? She uses sticks to get about because of hip replacements , but is quite mobile.
If we can't send our daughter back so she could travel back to nz with her nan , we hope there is something in place to support elderly people to travel this far ?
Any one else had parents travel this far?
If we can't send our daughter back so she could travel back to nz with her nan , we hope there is something in place to support elderly people to travel this far ?
Any one else had parents travel this far?
#2
Re: Elderly parent travelling to nz ?
If you contact the airline(s) in advance they can normally assist to some degree but any health matters/ concerns should also be taken into consideration and mentioned also.
You should start with her GP to determine if she is indeed "fit to fly" and then also on such a long stint.
You should start with her GP to determine if she is indeed "fit to fly" and then also on such a long stint.
#3
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Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
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Re: Elderly parent travelling to nz ?
We have been in nz over 9 years and in that time I have been back to Poole 3 times to see family , and since my father passed away in April this year me old mum who is 79 has decided she wants to visit us ? Thrilled as we are , who do we talk to airline wise to get her help at airports and on plane ect ? She uses sticks to get about because of hip replacements , but is quite mobile.
If we can't send our daughter back so she could travel back to nz with her nan , we hope there is something in place to support elderly people to travel this far ?
Any one else had parents travel this far?
If we can't send our daughter back so she could travel back to nz with her nan , we hope there is something in place to support elderly people to travel this far ?
Any one else had parents travel this far?
Even if she is mobile with sticks, I'd recommend getting wheelchair assistance as it makes life a lot easier - no pressure to rush between gates, and much less stressful than having to negotiate escalaters etc with walking sticks.
#4
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 97
Re: Elderly parent travelling to nz ?
We have been in nz over 9 years and in that time I have been back to Poole 3 times to see family , and since my father passed away in April this year me old mum who is 79 has decided she wants to visit us ? Thrilled as we are , who do we talk to airline wise to get her help at airports and on plane ect ? She uses sticks to get about because of hip replacements , but is quite mobile.
If we can't send our daughter back so she could travel back to nz with her nan , we hope there is something in place to support elderly people to travel this far ?
Any one else had parents travel this far?
If we can't send our daughter back so she could travel back to nz with her nan , we hope there is something in place to support elderly people to travel this far ?
Any one else had parents travel this far?
My advice is to chose a 'good' airline.
She will love seeing where you live and enjoying some family time.
#5
Re: Elderly parent travelling to nz ?
You'll need to think about how well she can manage the plane loos - check the airline you are thinking of flying with has grab rails, etc.
#6
Dorset to Dunedin
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Joined: Feb 2004
Location: Dunedin SI
Posts: 457
Re: Elderly parent travelling to nz ?
Thanks , for the replies.
I think we will have to call airline direct and see what's what ? Mums still quite mobile so should be ok and those A380 planes are huge , so she can move about a bit to keep her hip from giving her gip.
January is her month and we hope that this time of year will be better weather like most years , so we can take her to Milford sound , Te anau , queenstown and other southern delights.
I'm sure it would be her first and last trip to nz , so we want it to be special , with a tiki tour of otago and southland scenery.
I think we will have to call airline direct and see what's what ? Mums still quite mobile so should be ok and those A380 planes are huge , so she can move about a bit to keep her hip from giving her gip.
January is her month and we hope that this time of year will be better weather like most years , so we can take her to Milford sound , Te anau , queenstown and other southern delights.
I'm sure it would be her first and last trip to nz , so we want it to be special , with a tiki tour of otago and southland scenery.
#7
Re: Elderly parent travelling to nz ?
Thanks , for the replies.
I think we will have to call airline direct and see what's what ? Mums still quite mobile so should be ok and those A380 planes are huge , so she can move about a bit to keep her hip from giving her gip.
January is her month and we hope that this time of year will be better weather like most years , so we can take her to Milford sound , Te anau , queenstown and other southern delights.
I'm sure it would be her first and last trip to nz , so we want it to be special , with a tiki tour of otago and southland scenery.
I think we will have to call airline direct and see what's what ? Mums still quite mobile so should be ok and those A380 planes are huge , so she can move about a bit to keep her hip from giving her gip.
January is her month and we hope that this time of year will be better weather like most years , so we can take her to Milford sound , Te anau , queenstown and other southern delights.
I'm sure it would be her first and last trip to nz , so we want it to be special , with a tiki tour of otago and southland scenery.
#8
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Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Posts: 93,787
Re: Elderly parent travelling to nz ?
Thanks , for the replies.
I think we will have to call airline direct and see what's what ? Mums still quite mobile so should be ok and those A380 planes are huge , so she can move about a bit to keep her hip from giving her gip.
January is her month and we hope that this time of year will be better weather like most years , so we can take her to Milford sound , Te anau , queenstown and other southern delights.
I'm sure it would be her first and last trip to nz , so we want it to be special , with a tiki tour of otago and southland scenery.
I think we will have to call airline direct and see what's what ? Mums still quite mobile so should be ok and those A380 planes are huge , so she can move about a bit to keep her hip from giving her gip.
January is her month and we hope that this time of year will be better weather like most years , so we can take her to Milford sound , Te anau , queenstown and other southern delights.
I'm sure it would be her first and last trip to nz , so we want it to be special , with a tiki tour of otago and southland scenery.
Who is she flying with?
#9
Re: Elderly parent travelling to nz ?
We brought my father in law (83 at time) to visit our daughter in Auckland last Xmas we booked flight only Finn air/ Air NZ via Helsinki and Hong Kong, no stopovers through Trailfinders UK - we told them we needed assistance and they arranged it, although he can walk short distances it was a god send in HKong - met at the plane, whisked through to the front for boarding passes etc and taken to the gate - she left us at the gate and came back to help board 30 mins later. It was so easy for us in the airport just had to keep up with the wheelchair tho!
#10
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Joined: Oct 2014
Location: North Canterbury
Posts: 487
Re: Elderly parent travelling to nz ?
When you book her a ticket, it should come up with special assistance required - tick yes
I thoroughly recommend you DO NOT book her on Air New Zealand via Los Angeles. My Nan came over aged 78 and after visiting the airport when in New York recently, I can understand why
The best airlines to target are the Asian airlines (apologies to the easily offended). Singapore, Cathay Pacific, Korean or Malaysian Airlines tend to be a lot more customer orientated. She'd have a far better experience with those, they'll treat her like royal .
I thoroughly recommend you DO NOT book her on Air New Zealand via Los Angeles. My Nan came over aged 78 and after visiting the airport when in New York recently, I can understand why
The best airlines to target are the Asian airlines (apologies to the easily offended). Singapore, Cathay Pacific, Korean or Malaysian Airlines tend to be a lot more customer orientated. She'd have a far better experience with those, they'll treat her like royal .
#11
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 23
Re: Elderly parent travelling to nz ?
Singapore airlines every time!! And yes, if at all possible Business Class
#12
Dorset to Dunedin
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2004
Location: Dunedin SI
Posts: 457
Re: Elderly parent travelling to nz ?
I agree with Singapore airlines , best I've travelled on ay?
We were looking at sending our daughter back , but might look at using the money for treats and excursions in nz , so want to do a flight over fiordland .
Thanks for all the replies.
We were looking at sending our daughter back , but might look at using the money for treats and excursions in nz , so want to do a flight over fiordland .
Thanks for all the replies.
#14
Re: Elderly parent travelling to nz ?
We have been in nz over 9 years and in that time I have been back to Poole 3 times to see family , and since my father passed away in April this year me old mum who is 79 has decided she wants to visit us ? Thrilled as we are , who do we talk to airline wise to get her help at airports and on plane ect ? She uses sticks to get about because of hip replacements , but is quite mobile.
If we can't send our daughter back so she could travel back to nz with her nan , we hope there is something in place to support elderly people to travel this far ?
Any one else had parents travel this far?
If we can't send our daughter back so she could travel back to nz with her nan , we hope there is something in place to support elderly people to travel this far ?
Any one else had parents travel this far?
Comprehensive travel insurance is a MUST
Which airline are you looking at, maybe able to help point in the right direction, as to links etc for "special assistance" etc.
#15
Dorset to Dunedin
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2004
Location: Dunedin SI
Posts: 457
Re: Elderly parent travelling to nz ?
Woohoo , just found out today my mum and sister are coming out in January for 3 weeks woohoo , both have never been to nz omg so excited.