Hoist to transfer in Aeroplanes/ No to manual handling

MSmum99

Has anyone come across a hoist to transfer you from wheelchair into a plane used in any uk airports/airlines? I cannot stand/transfer and as I'm not particularly light found the indignity of manual lifting into transfer chairs by airport staff distressing. I'd love to fly again but won't do so until I can be hoisted. I've read online that Norway have banned all manual handling at airports - should we campaign for the same?

Geo08

Hey MSmum99,

I seem to recall that Gatwick have invested in a hoist which is narrow enough to get down the rows of seats. See this article here:

http://www.reducedmobility.eu/20150916650/TheNews/hoists-replacing-manual-handling-to-get-disabled-people-on-planes

The challenge would be making sure the airport st the other end also has one to get you back on the plane. This article seems to suggest there are some other places that have it.

A further article suggests that there is one at Heathrow and that physical transfers were made illegal in Norway:

http://www.reducedmobility.eu/20140427448/The-News/eagle-2-hoist-improves-disabled-passenger-experience.html

I really hope this helps and you are not put iff going on holiday in the future!

George

MSmum99

Thanks George, looks like it might be a trip to Norway?