Can I take my scooter on an airplane or cruise ship?

 Airlines

US-based airlines are required to comply with the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) act. So they must accept for transport all devices that assists a passenger with a disability in coping with the effects of his/her disability. These  include all power wheelchairs and scooters of all sizes and capacities from compact scooters such as GoGo's to large custom wheelchairs that use 55ah batteries. They are not permitted to charge a fee to accommodate them. 

What should I do if an airline agent declines to accept my power mobility scooter or wheelchair?

There have been instances where a misinformed airline employee does not permit a power wheelchair or scooter to be transported. In those cases, here are steps we recommend:

1. Ask to speak to a supervisor. When you do, make sure you make it clear that the passenger is disabled and is traveling with a power mobility device.
2. If you cannot get your situation resolved, you should ask to speak with the airline's Complaint Resolution Official (CRO). The CRO is the airline's expert in disability-related issues in air travel and has the authority to resolve complaints on behalf of the airline. Every Airline is required to have a CRO.
3. You may also call the United States Department of Transportation toll-free hotline for air travelers with disabilities. The number is 800-778-4838 to obtain assistance. This hotline will provide general information about the rights of air travelers with disabilities and assist travelers with disabilities with time-sensitive disability-related issues. The hotline is answered 9 AM - 5 PM Eastern time, Mondays-Fridays except Federal holidays. 

You can learn more about this including how and where to file a complaint by clicking here.

Give your airline some notice

That said, we recommend that you advise the airline well in advance of your travel that you're traveling with a power mobility scooter. Also, it will be important that you allow lots of extra time on your day of travel to allow the airline to properly stow your scooter.

When you arrive at the airport

Plan on bringing the following items with you:

1. A copy of the owner's manual or instructions for how to fold/disassemble your mobility device in case airline personnel need to remove the seat, fold the steering tiller, etc., so it can fit.
2. The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for the batteries that power your device. Click here for the MSDS. 

When you arrive at the airport on your day of travel, you'll likely be instructed to ride your scooter to the departure gate. Baggage handlers will be there to stow your scooter. Do take a moment to show them how your particular model can be configured for stowage- show them how the steering tiller can be lowered, etc.

At your destination, the airline will bring your scooter to you at the arrival gate. 

Non-US based airlines

Most non-US based airlines who operate to/from US airports will also comply with ADA regulations but you'll want to check with them when you're booking your travel. 

Click here for more information directly from the US Department Of Transportation website.  

A special note about scooter batteries

Some airlines may have questions about the batteries in your scooter. If your scooter uses a Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) battery as nearly all scooters do, your airline will or is supposed to accept it without any further issues. It's also acceptable for cruise ships. In the unlikely event your carrier asks for safety documentation about the batteries, we can supply you with that. 

If your scooter is powered by lithium ion batteries as most folding scooter are, the airline will very likely have further questions about the battery pack related to fire safety. They may require that you remove the battery pack from the scooter and carry it on board with you. Or they may even refuse to allow the battery pack at all which they can do.

If you're shopping for a scooter now and contemplating needing to take it with you when you travel by air, do check with us or the manufacturer to see what the rules would be for transport of the lithium ion battery pack on airplanes. Some scooter models offer two lithium ion battery pack options- one for general use and then a smaller one that's approved for airline transport. To keep your travel inconvenience to a minimum, consider a scooter powered by Sealed Lead Acid batteries as opposed to Lithium Ion batteries.   

Cruise Ships

Cruise ships who sail under a US flag will also comply with the ADA regulations and accommodate a power mobility scooter or power wheelchair and charge no fees. You'll want to check with the cruise line at the time of booking for the exact boarding procedure.