Avianca Airlines Wheelchair Assistance

Air travel should be smooth and easy for everyone, irrespective of their physical disability. Avianca Airlines fully understands this and has devised services that are inclusive, where comfort and accessibility come first to the passengers. The Avianca Airlines Wheelchair Assistance program is thoughtfully designed to assist people who are in need of some mobility aids while traveling from check-in to arrival. It does not matter if you are on a business or a vacation trip, Avianca goes the extra mile to ensure your comfort, treatment, and self-care. This article will delve into their wheelchair assistance service and explain how to request it with ease.

Avianca Airlines Wheelchair Assistance Explained

This guide is designed to take you through the full array of services provided, starting from reservation to arrival, and thus giving you all the important details to guarantee a trouble-free trip.

• Booking Your Avianca Flight with Wheelchair Assistance

Requesting assistance early ensures the best possible service. You can book wheelchair assistance online at avianca.com. At the third stage of the checkout process, select the “Special Assistance” option and choose:

• “I need a wheelchair,” if you require a loaned wheelchair.
• “I am bringing my own wheelchair,” if you are traveling with your personal 
• wheelchair or scooter.

If you haven’t booked your wheelchair online, you can do the same through Avianca’s sales office or contact center. You may inform the customer service representative of what kind of help you require.

• Booking Avianca’s Wheelchair Assistance for Existing Reservations:

If you have already made your booking and would like to request for assistance after that, make sure that you book no longer than 48 hours prior to your flight. Here are the ways to do it:

• In the “Manage your booking” option, you can do it by providing the reservation code and your last name and by choosing “Special Services.”
• By contacting Avianca’s  Contact Center.

• Baggage & Devices

Ensure your luggage meets the requirements for size, weight, and allowed items as specified on your ticket. By respecting these limitations, the staff will be able to help you, and the chances of delays will be significantly reduced.

• Get Ready: For easy access to flight information, online check-in, and an electronic boarding pass, download the Avianca app on Google Play or the App Store.
• Traveling with Your Wheelchair: If you decide to bring your wheelchair, the aircraft’s cargo compartment will be the place where it will be carried. Please confirm with the representative the details and suggestions regarding its model (weight, size, battery).

Avianca’s Wheelchair Assistance – Points to Keep In Mind Onboard and At the Airport

Here are things to keep in mind when carrying your wheelchair or any other mobility device at the airport: 

At Your Departure Airport

Be aware of what to expect upon arrival at the airport.

• Check-in: Please complete the online check-in before arriving at the airport. If you are in need of some assistance, please come to the desks by using the “Special assistance” line. Their crew will deliver necessary information and make sure that your documents are in order. In case you are not familiar with the counter’s position, please check with the airport’s information desks.
• Arrival Time: Make sure you reach the terminal at least 30 minutes before the time displayed on your boarding pass. If you get there after the boarding has started, you will have to wait until the boarding process is over.
• Loaner Wheelchairs: If a wheelchair had been borrowed beforehand, the attendants would transport you from the check-in counter to the location of your choice (boarding gate or seat onboard the plane).
• Mobility Devices: Medical equipment and a maximum of two mobility aids (e.g. walking sticks, rollators, or crutches) that will be carried will be the only ones that are not charged and will not be treated as carry-on luggage.
• Wheelchair Information: To transport your personal wheelchair, it is required to provide the specification of the wheelchair, its weight, size, type of battery, and also a way for assembling and disassembling.

Onboard

• Seating: Movable armrests on most seats assist with easier transfers.
• Restroom Access: Aircraft restrooms meet accessibility standards.
• Crew Support:
  • Personalized safety briefings before takeoff.
  • Onboard aisle wheelchair for in-flight mobility.
  • Assistance with retrieving overhead items.

At Your Arrival or Connecting Airport

Seamless transitions upon reaching your destination or connecting flight.

• Disembarkation: Passengers who need help for safety reasons will be disembarked after all other passengers have left the aircraft. In certain airports, you may have to use stairs and a bus to reach the terminal.
• Loaned Wheelchair Retrieval: If you had requested a wheelchair for your loan, the team will be waiting for you at the aircraft’s door. Note that you should avoid using the wheelchair when leaving if it was not booked, as it is intended for passengers who have confirmed their trip only.
• Unreserved Wheelchairs: After you inform the staff on arrival that you haven’t booked the service, they may assist you, but you might have to stay for a while until they arrange the necessary assistance.
• Personal Wheelchair Retrieval: When you travel with a wheelchair, it will be delivered at the aircraft door or the oversized baggage claim area.

• Connections:
  • If your flight to connect is with Avianca, their staff will lead you to your next flight gate.
  • If you have a flight with another airline, they will direct you to the exact spot where your meeting point is.

Can I travel with my wheelchair On An Avianca Flight?

In case the disability you have makes you use a wheelchair, you are not going to be charged for it. On the other hand, if you just bring it for the support of others, you will be charged for additional baggage, and maybe extra fees. 

In addition to that, it is highly recommended to inform the airline while booking a ticket or at least 48 hours before the flight to your destination. The rules vary from one location to another. 

For flights to or from Europe, you must notify the authorities 48 hours before your journey. Those needing to bring a wheelchair along must not exceed the carry-on baggage allowance over 10 kg or 20 pounds. Informing 48 hours prior to departure is essential for flights to London as well. 

If you travel from or to the United States on a single-aisle aircraft, your wheelchair will be stored in the cargo hold in accordance with DOT-approved procedures.

Regulations for Carrying Battery-Powered Wheelchairs on Avianca Flights 

If your wheelchair has lithium, nickel-metal hydride or dry batteries, you don’t have to remove it, unless it is required for handling your wheelchair. Switch off the battery power wheelchair before it is handed over to the authorities to be checked in. Protect the edges well to prevent any short circuits. 

You will have to inform them about the battery type you are using for the wheelchair upon arriving at the airport, alongside the manufacturer’s details. 

For wheelchairs with spillable or wet batteries, you must remove them and use a leak-proof package to pack them, so that they may be safeguarded from short circuit.  They should be placed in an upright posture and must be encased in ample absorbent material to ensure complete protection. It is to be noted that Avianca doesn’t transport wheelchairs or mobility aids where the battery is installed.  Your packaging should bear BATTERY, WET, WITH WHEELCHAIR. You must use corrosive and package oriented labels for labeling it.

Also Read: How To Request Volotea Wheelchair Assistance?

Rules to Transport the Spare Batteries 

For nickel metal-hydride or dry batteries, you can carry two spare ones along, to be only transported in the cargo hold. Use rigid and solid packaging like steel, cardboard, wood, plastic, or aluminum. Your information, destination, and flight number should be prominently marked on the packaging. 

You can carry a single spare lithium battery not exceeding 300 Wh or two spare batteries not more than 160 Wh (each). 

Only a single piece of non-spillable wet battery is allowed to be transported in the cargo hold, with proper and rigid packaging. 

Conclusion

Avianca Airlines has prepared a comprehensive Airlines Wheelchair Assistance service that takes care of every aspect of the journey. You can acquire your wheelchair through the online booking platform or over the contact center and request assistance with an accompanying person for the entire trip. The staff is well-equipped with exceptional skills to deliver custom-made care to passengers on the flight, ensuring their comfort and safety at all times, and also providing assistance with connections and airport exits.

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