United Airlines is one of the largest airlines in the US and it operates a wide range of domestic and international routes. The airline has been in operation for over 100 years now and during that time its fleet has grown to about 800 flights. United Airlines is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois but it has hubs all across the US in places like Los Angeles, Denver, San Francisco, and others.
The airline accepts wheelchairs and any other assistive devices for their customers. They accept scooters, folding or collapsible wheelchairs, non-folding devices, as well as powered assistive equipment. They also have wheelchairs available at their airports for customers to use. However, due to a large number of travelers they cater to every day, it is best to request a wheelchair before you get there through the travel agent.
Airport wheelchairs
United Airlines is making it easier for customers who need wheelchairs to get to the airport. They have customer care centers that will provide a wheelchair for the customer. United Airlines also has assistance centers in their lobbies so that customers with wheelchairs can easily find them. ..
Accessible boarding
United Airlines’ airports usually have jet bridges available to assist people with disabilities to comfortably board their flights. Additionally, if by any chance a specific airport has not been fitted with these jet bridges, the united airlines’ staff assists the customers in wheelchairs by lifting them onto the plane using a mechanical lift, ramp, or stair.
Wheelchairs onboard
United Airlines has a wheelchair-friendly plane that seats more than 60 passengers. This plane is specifically designed to accommodate wheelchairs, and the crew is well-trained in handling passengers who need to use wheelchairs on the plane.
Traveling with personal wheelchairs
If you would like to travel with a wheelchair, it is usually checked at the departure gate. The only restriction that united airlines enforce about wheelchairs is that if you have a powered wheelchair, they require that you arrive about an hour earlier than the airport check-in processing time. This is so that the equipment can be handled carefully and in no rush.
Manual wheelchairs
Manual wheelchairs are the perfect option for passengers who use them because they can easily be packed on board when requested. United Airlines planes have enough space to accommodate one adult wheelchair at a time, so passengers traveling with their wheelchairs can fit in comfortably. Wheelchairs can also be stored in the cargo bin if requested, so the passenger must give specific instructions on that by filling out the United Airlines wheelchair information card. ..
Powered wheelchairs
United Airlines does not disassemble batteries in powered wheelchairs or scooters, rather they require that the passenger fills in the wheelchair information card where the battery type can be indicated, and specific instructions on how to disassemble the wheelchair are stipulated. According to airport restrictions and guidelines, the passengers that use powered wheelchairs must specify the type of batteries they use either spillable, non-spillable, or lithium-ion. This is done so that the staff handles dangerous goods properly when flying.
Lost or damaged wheelchairs
If a passenger’s wheelchair is lost or damaged during the flight or in the airport processing process, united airlines have the discretion to investigate the damage and make repairs. If lost, the federal regulations stipulate that the airline is not liable for lost wheelchairs or assistive devices.
United Airlines has a policy that passengers using wheelchairs must ensure the device is in good condition at all times. This policy is based on the challenges that disabled people face and the airline takes into consideration these challenges when making decisions about which flights to offer.
The guidelines for wheelchair use in aircraft apply to all passengers regardless of their destinations.
The website provides a detailed process for making changes to your flight information, including the option to add or remove flights.
Wheelchair users are given priority during the check-in process at the departure gate. This is in order to ensure that they are not left behind and that their needs are taken into account.
Hawaii Airlines, JetBlue Alaska airlines, and Frontier Airlines have wheelchair accessibility policies.
