Fly Confidently With The Virgin Atlantic Special Assistance

Travel comfort and lack of hassles are the main benefits of the Virgin Atlantic Special Assistance service. Whether it’s about getting around, having problems with your vision or hearing, or other medical concerns, you can rest assured that Virgin Airlines dedicated team members care about your feelings and will cater to all your travel needs.

Virgin Atlantic, putting customers first, schedules everything carefully in advance and uses a combination of in-flight care and relationship building to ensure that passengers find their journey very comfortable and relaxing. So, don’t stress about being on a plane instead of being happy about your adventure – the Virgin Atlantic Special Assistance will give you the courage to fly.

Let’s talk through the range of services that Virgin Atlantic makes available, from front stage to backstage, which gives pageants a complete experience and makes them happy all around.

Understanding Your Needs For Virgin Atlantic Special Assistance

If you need special assistance at the airport, onboard, or on your Virgin Atlantic Holiday, kindly inform the airlines as early as possible (or at least 72 hours before your flight). Head to My Booking to request Virgin Atlantic wheelchair assistance and more. The dedicated team is always ready to assist make the trip amazing. The following are some of the benefits of using Virgin Atlantic Special Assistance:

Virgin Atlantic Mobility Assistance

When you book mobility assistance online, then the passengers need to complete the Specific Assistance section on the passenger page.

• If a wheelchair is needed for long-distance walking, however, it should be easy to climb up and down stairs and get to your seat on foot.

• It is not possible to walk much, climb stairs, or walk to your chair, and a wheelchair may be needed.

• The guest is immobile; they cannot walk long distances, use a wheelchair, and may not be able to self-transfer.

• Need a wheelchair for onboard access

• Carrying a non-spillable battery-powered electric wheelchair on board

• Traveling with a lithium-powered electric wheelchair in the trunk

• Bringing a personal manual wheelchair on a plane

• Carrying an alternative mobility device while traveling.

If you travel within a day, book through the airline’s Contact Centre at zero cost. If you don’t, getting around can be difficult, and obtaining help can be challenging.

Virgin Atlantic Wheelchair Assistance

Virgin Atlantic provides wheelchair access on board for passengers who require wheelchair access. However, due to operational conditions and passenger safety reasons, access for such passengers may vary from one flight to another.

If you need Virgin Atlantic Wheelchair Assistance during the flight, it is better to inform the airlines about it immediately so that they know what you want.

The following factors are considered when deciding the maximum number of wheelchair-accessible passengers allowed on each flight:

• The plane has seats reserved for that trip.

• Restrictions on access at certain airports.

• The extent of guest capacity and the level of assistance expected from airline staff.

• Assistance amount for another passenger who has already made a reservation on this flight.

• The Passenger is traveling with a personal scooter or wheelchair, and if he is using it then he must give qualitative details of his scooter or wheelchair.

• Whether the visitor will be accompanied by a family member, colleague, or friend on the requested flight.

• Other flight options’ accessibility, and

• Whether a specific flight is being requested for compassion or any other purpose.

Size Limitations For Mobility Aids

You are subject to certain limitations to protect both your mobility aid and the aircraft from harm.

Weight Of Mobility Assistance

• For more information on the Maximum Dimensions and Weight Table below, look at the detailed breakdown of maximum weight allowance for mobility aids by aircraft type.

• If you require orientation assistance provided by the Mobile Object, you are advised to contact the Guest Contact Centre on number +1-877-419-4448 at least 72 hours before the day of the visit, so that you can be suggested appropriately.

• If your transport assistant weighs less than the recommended maximum, you must provide the airline with the same weight at the time of reservation so that your transport assistant may be transferred to the aircraft if possible.

Size Of Mobility Assistance

• There are maximum dimensions for mobility aids on each of our aircraft types.

• Virgin Atlantic may not be able to accommodate your mobility assistance if its dimensions (in folded or unfolded form) exceed the prescribed limits; in this case, you will need to arrange for an alternate mobility aid, like a manual wheelchair, that satisfies the measurements given below.

• Disassembling and reassembling mobility aids is not something that airline employees can assist with.

• ‘Freewheel’ mode requires that all electric mobility aids be operated while upright.

• Please call the Guest Contact Centre at 13 67 89 at least 72 hours before your planned travel date to explore your options if your mobility aid is larger than the maximum dimensions.

Maximum Possible Dimensions Chart

At the airport, you can find mobility aid devices

Depending on what each airport can offer, their service is limited to certain situations only. They have the following special mobility aids available on board, but only if you’ve asked for them while booking.

• Mobility aids for boarding and disembarking planes

• Individuals in the terminal may use manual self-propelled wheelchairs either alone or with the help of a team member or partner.

• Guests may utilize motorized wheelchairs within the terminal to help them board and leave the aircraft. Team members with the proper training are required to operate motorized wheelchairs.

• To ensure the safe transition of visitors from wheelchairs to airplane seats, we provide slide boards and sheets.

• Guests can be safely transferred between wheelchairs and aircraft seats with the help of Eagle lifts and manual transfer slings. (At some airports only)

If you meet the Health and Safety criteria regarding weight, Virgin Atlantic can assist you by having a team member transfer you from your wheelchair to an airport/aisle chair, then from the airport/aisle chair to a seat on the plane (and back) using a rollback board and slide sheet or manual transfer sling or eagle (if any).

If you weigh more than 130 kg and need help transferring during local and international flights, you will need to arrange for a caregiver for you. If necessary, the aircraft staff will help support your legs or torso while transferring you.

Remember: Transferring means moving from your wheelchair to the airport/transit wheelchair and vice versa using a slide board and slide sheet or manual transfer sling or eagle, where available. During the transfer, guidance includes directing the movements of your upper body (shoulders) and legs.
Only by strictly adhering to the slide board and slide sheet, manual transfer sling, or Eagle procedures can carry out transfers.

Pre-Authorized Assistants

Changing to other ways to use assistive devices chosen for children and the disabled is an option that Virgin Atlantic does not offer, but allows for use during boarding. These assistive devices, already approved by experts, were installed on the aircraft and conformed to all requirements so that they could be used during the flight. Such devices must be undamaged look perfect retain their original label and must be used by the instruction manual.

How to get Virgin Atlantic Mobility Assistance at the Airport

Virgin Atlantic may arrange for wheelchairs and staff to take the assistance of passengers from the kerbside to the airport terminal. This, however, will depend on whether wheelchairs and staff are available. At the check-in counter, Virgin Atlantic staff are unable to assist with baggage and lobby-side check-in assistance.

Check-in: If you need the Virgin Atlantic special assistance to manage your traveling and seating appointments and transfer between wheelchairs/aircraft seats, you must arrive:

• For domestic flights, please allow at least one hour before the departure time.

• International flights must be departed at least two hours before their scheduled times.

Using a manual wheelchair when traveling

You may bring your manual wheelchair to the boarding gate (where feasible) or leave it at the airport; the airlines will supply an aisle wheelchair for use within the airport if you prefer. The next step is to have your wheelchair stored in the plane’s hold.

For security reasons, only wheelchairs/mobility aids that have previously been cleared by security checks will be returned to the arrival gate at the destination. If this is not the case, you will have to collect your wheelchair at the arrival carousel. This service, i.e. manual equipment, is only available for such items as motorized chairs will be addressed differently.

Bringing along a wheelchair or other battery-operated mobility device

If your battery-powered mobility aid (e.g. wheelchair) complies with dangerous goods regulations (e.g. measurements and battery type), you can check in your battery-powered mobility aid (e.g. wheelchair) for travel in the cargo hold. Upon receiving an airport driving service, either the airlines will allow subsequent procedures to be carried out or a team member will drive you to the arrival gate in a motorized wheelchair.

Alternatively, you can ask to have your own hybrid power mobility aid driven to the boarding gate (where possible). Your mobility aid will either be available at the arrival carousel or you will be given one at the arrival gate if it is an international flight. Please remember to indicate at booking whether you would like a clinical wheelchair or one of the airlines’ electric wheelchairs by filling out the specific service request form and marking “wheelchair assistance” as your preference.

Powered mobility devices (such as wheelchairs)

People with limited mobility, such as those using battery-powered wheelchairs, are a major concern when traveling by plane. To safely carry any assistive device on a plane, relevant precautions must be taken. It is advisable to carry the operator’s manual. It is a good way to bring the mobility device correctly.

This Virgin Atlantic Group aircraft accepts most batteries and battery types used by persons with disabilities:

• Types that cannot be spilled include Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM), Gel, and Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) batteries.

• For example, NiCad, zinc-carbon, alkali-manganese, and nickel-metal hydride batteries are all examples of dry-type batteries.

• Lithium batteries (including polymer, Li-Po, and Li-ion) must meet United Nations Department of Transportation requirements as they are outlined in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, Subsection 38.3. The possibility of obtaining the requested proof that the battery meets the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, Subsection 38.3 regulations will be considered before determining whether the battery can be obtained.

• Batteries that are beyond repair, out of shape, leaking, or showing signs of corrosion are not permitted. Also, they are not permitted if they have been modified, are not designed for the device, or have been identified as defective or recalled by the manufacturer.

To get the Virgin Atlantic Mobility Assistance Ready to Fly

• One way to avoid short circuits is to insulate the battery cables. The battery can be stored as part of the device or separately by covering it with a non-conductive battery container/case/transport box.

• The battery with the container must remain firmly attached to the mobility device until it becomes necessary to remove the battery for air transport.

• The electrical circuits must be isolated. Regarding the mobility aid, it should not be accidentally turned on and moved by operating the controls. The isolation/inhibition of the electrical circuits has to be carried out according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

In case, a battery does not have sufficient protection by the mobility aid design or has to be removed to allow the device to be folded or otherwise prepared for air transport, it is necessary to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Batteries or dry batteries removed for transport must be in perfect condition without any leakage, and wiring and batteries must be protected from mechanical damage and short-circuiting. Aircraft will then store the packaged batteries in the cargo space with the mobility aid. The presence of one extra non-spillable battery or two extra dry aid batteries for wheeled mobility devices is also accepted with proper packaging.

Lithium-ion batteries that are removed from a mobility aid (e.g., wheelchair) for transport must not exceed 300 Wh (watt-hours). You may choose one backup battery with a wattage of 300 Wh or two batteries, but each must have a wattage not exceeding 160 Wh. Removed batteries and/or spare batteries must be stored in the cabin with a protective pouch wrapped around each battery to prevent short circuits and injury to the terminals.

Voltage multiplied by amp-hours is equal to watt-hours (Wh)

Virgin Atlantic Passenger Assistance Guide

Virgin Atlantic recognises that every journey is different and for passengers with special needs a little extra help can go a long way. Virgin Atlantic offers a full range of services including guide dogs for blind passengers, staff assistance for people needing mobility assistance and assistive devices, and auditory announcements for deaf or hard-of-hearing passengers to make your journey easy and comfortable.

The following is an outline of the Virgin Atlantic passenger assistance

Traveling with Visual Impairment

• Before departure, the offering of plane briefings and airport help makes the passenger feel comfortable with the bus and cabin organization.

• You can ask for Braille safety cards or tactile diagrams if necessary.

• Feel free to bring dogs with you (please read more on this at the website).

Help for Those with Hearing Impairments:

• At the check-in counters and boarding gates, you can find induction loops that can improve communication.

• For the benefit of passengers who are hard of hearing, boarding announcements are supplemented with light beacons.

• Travelers can get help with their written communication needs at any point throughout the trip.

Carrying a Hidden Disability on a Journey:

• Virgin Atlantic is happy to hear from you about any hidden disabilities that you might have.

• The staff are trained to be sensitive and discreetly help wherever necessary.

• As a way of silently alerting the staff that you may need more help, you can ask for hidden disability lanyards.

Assist with Medications, Medical Devices, and Aerobic Fitness for Flight:

• If you are a passenger who requires special medication or medical equipment on board the flight, you will need to inform Virgin Atlantic in advance so that discussions can be held as to how best they can be stored and used.

• Virgin Atlantic provides health-care-related forms to help them comprehend your requirements in this sector.

• It is possible that in some cases of ill health, a certificate of fitness to travel may have to be submitted.

Carrying an Assistance Dog or Guide Dog on a Journey:

• Virgin Atlantic is in favor of bringing guide dogs and assistance dogs that were preregistered onboard the airplane facilities.

• Your pet dog will find food and particular zones where it can relieve itself while flying with you.

• Virgin Atlantic’s website will help you get information on the distinct rules and expectations applicants for service dogs must meet before qualifying.

Planning Makes Perfect:

• To have the smoothest flight possible, it is essential to book any required assistance in advance.

• The Special Assistance team of Virgin Atlantic advises getting in touch with them at least 48 hours before your departure to talk about your requirements and make all the required arrangements.

Go to the Virgin Atlantic homepage for more comprehensive details on their Virgin Atlantic passenger assistance, downloadable resources, and contact information for the Special Assistance team. With Virgin Atlantic, you can be assured that the realm of exploration is just a flight away and is accessible to all.

Conclusion

Virgin Atlantic is aware that the travel journey is not always the same for everyone and that each customer is an individual with individual needs. Airport terminals and planes are the spots where people with visual impairments, hearing difficulties, mobility limitations, or hidden disabilities have to face the most challenges. Virgin Atlantic remains unfazed in its commitment to organizing passenger support so that every one of them may go through a pleasant and compliant journey.

From pre-flight briefings to priority assistance and discreet support for hidden disabilities, the Virgin Atlantic special assistance is all set to provide a fully inclusive and thoughtfully designed experience for your specific needs. Their staff are trained to be compassionate, and understanding, and will help you prepare in an experienced manner through the whole journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

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