United Airlines
1-800-228-2744
American Airlines
1-800-433-7300
Southwest Airlines
1-800-435-9792
Delta Airlines
404-209-3434
Spirit Airlines
801-401-2222
Hawaiian Airlines
1-800-367-5320
JetBlue
1-855-232-5463
Alaska Air
1-800-503-0101
Sun Country
877-888-1404
British Airways
1-800-247-9297
Lufthansa
1-866-846-4283
Virgin America
1-877-359-8474
Preflight Rules:
Here are some helpful tips to make flight as comfortable as possible. Trust Raul, he knows because he has been there.
Rule #1
To be there early is to be on time.
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The more time that you give the airline personnel, the better they can assist your personal needs.
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To minimize security delays, get approved for TSA Pre-Check : https://www.tsa.gov/precheck
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Call TSA 72 hours ahead for security tips when travelling (855) 787-2227
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Charge all battery powered devices! Devices must have battery life sufficient for 150% of the scheduled flight time.
Rule #2
Allow time to use the bathroom prior to boarding.
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Once seated in the aircraft, using the bathroom is virtually impossible.
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Make sure to have your personal supplies (ie. insulin, catheters, etc.) in your carry-on bag in case of unexpected delays.
Raul Tip: “Refrain from drinking anything until midway through the trip.”
Rule #3
Know your travel schedule.
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Arrive at the airport 3 hours prior to your scheduled departure time.
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Prepare for security checkpoint delays and
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Pre-boarding occurs 30 minutes before regularly scheduled departure. This means that you need to alert gate personnel 1 hour prior to departure time in the case that you need assistance with 1) seat relocation, 2) wheelchair assistance 3) aisle chair assistance into aircraft, 4) transferring to your seat.
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Do not hesitate in letting the staff know how they can help you. The more they know, the better your experience will be.
Raul Tip: “If you need special utensils or drinking cups, don’t forget to put them in your carry-on. No knives!”
Rule #4
Know your equipment.
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Make sure that your respiratory device meets FAA requirements. Portable oxygen concentrators must bear an FAA label with the following text in red lettering:
The manufacturer of this POC has determined that this device conforms to all applicable FAA acceptance criteria for POC carriage and use on board aircraft.
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Make sure your power wheelchair is FAA approved for travel. Know what type of battery your wheelchair utilizes (dry, gel, wet).
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If you use a power wheelchair, know where the power switches are to deactivate the chair and how to put it in freewheel / neutral.
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Know where the tie down points are; this will assist the ramp personnel in securing your chair when they load it into the aircraft
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If you use a manual chair, show the personnel how to fold and properly place your chair in storage mode.
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Keep your cushion with you! Flight personnel may remove the cushion during storage and it may get lost.
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If you have a walker/cane, show the personnel how to properly fold/store your mobility device.
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If your wheelchair or device has any detachable bags/backpacks, keep them with you on the aircraft.
Raul Tip: “Take a picture of any of your equipment stored by flight crew. If they are lost or damaged, you will be able to assist travel personnel.”