October 1, 2024 | Terry Smith

Can I take my electric wheelchair on a plane in the UK?

If you love to travel and use an electric wheelchair, powerchair, or similar electric mobility aid, you may wonder whether you can take your aid with you when travelling on a plane.

In this article, we will outline the rules and guidelines that apply in the UK, so you know exactly what to do when planning your next vacation abroad.

Can you take your electric wheelchair on a plane?

Yes, you can take an electric wheelchair on a plane, but bear in mind that the wheelchair will be stored in the hold luggage during the flight. This is because most airlines don’t permit equipment such as electric wheelchairs to be taken into the passenger cabin, due to their size and weight.

Before flying with your electric wheelchair, there are several things to consider, which we will cover below.

1. Ensure your electric wheelchair is plane-friendly

Your wheelchair must be fitted with airline-friendly lithium-ion batteries, which are found on most modern electric wheelchairs and scooters.

It’s also useful if your chair is foldable or dismantlable, as this will allow the airline to store it more easily in the hold.

2. Inform the airline

Before booking any flights, it’s important to check whether the airline has any restrictions regarding equipment such as electric wheelchairs. These can vary depending on who you fly with.

When booking your flights, it’s important to inform the airline that you will be bringing your electric mobility aid with you, to ensure it is loaded and stowed securely during the flight. For maximum peace of mind, we advise you to:

Inform the airline of the make and model of the equipment
Provide a copy of the user manual, to help the airline crew safely transport and store the wheelchair before and after the flight

3. Check your insurance

While you don’t have to have insurance in place when travelling on a plane, it is recommended.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority states that airlines are liable for any damage to mobility equipment. However, the compensation may be limited to around £1,300 so you may want to take out extra insurance.

They also state that if your equipment is damaged during the flight or by staff, the airport is responsible for providing a temporary alternative while yours is repaired or replaced. It’s important to note that the alternative they provide does not have to be on a like-for-like basis, so you may receive an entirely different alternative to your wheelchair.

Examples of travel-friendly electric wheelchairs

We stock a number of electric wheelchairs that are ideal for travel, including those that are lightweight, foldable, or dismantlable.

For a detailed article on this subject, please read – What are the best electric wheelchairs for travel?

Some examples of travel-friendly electric wheelchairs include:

1. Robooter Folding Powerchairs

The Robooter range of folding powerchairs are ideal for travel, due to their folding design and subsequent small, lightweight footprint. Every chair in their range is fitted with airline-friendly lithium-ion batteries.

Check out the range here.

2. E-Goes Joyrider Folding Powerchair

The Joyrider from E-Goes is an excellent electric wheelchair for travel. It has a minimalist design, folds easily and separates into two parts in a matter of seconds. Before folding, the Joyrider’s motor unit can be removed, keeping the heaviest part at just 8.6kg! This makes it much easier to lift and store when travelling.

Find out more here.

3. Freedom Chair Folding Powerchairs

The Freedom Chair Powerchair models are all designed to be folded for easy transport and storage, making them good candidates for travel-friendly wheelchairs.

Available in standard, bariatric and paediatric models – check them out here.