Best Airline for Escorted Travel?

[Boganite]

We want to get my elderly mother-in-law across from Montreal (Canada) to Melbourne. She is nervous and mildly infirm, so we were going to request special assistance from the airline. Presumably they'll stick her in a wheelchair and keep an eye on her.

Obviously the fewer connections and airlines the better. We were thinking of using either United (via LA) or Qatar (via Doha) as only a single change of plane would be required and they're both reasonable long-haul airlines.

Anybody out there have any experience with similar situations? Any personal airline recommendations?

 

[bam71]

Ummm….. they wont keep an eye on her, no. Wheelchair assistance, sure. I think you may need to temper your expectations ..

 

[zig]

Ummm….. they wont keep an eye on her, no. Wheelchair assistance, sure. I think you may need to temper your expectations ..

Agree with this - they won't keep an eye on her.
I have travelled with elderly parents who at various times required wheelchair assistance through the airport etc. The airlines are happy to provide wheelchair assistance, but have always stated that they must have someone travelling with them to provide assistance on the plane as they don't do this.

 

[TomVexille]

If you go UA, you can purchase a concierge service for the LAX connection and MEL arrival. Unfortunately not available at YUL.

This is in addition to wheelchair assistance which needs to be requested separately.

 

[funnymummy]

Doha airport does have a meet and assist service
I am sure Qatar do also. I believe it is a user pays service though. Just search meet and assist for Doha airport and it should pop up

 

[Mwenenzi]

We want to get my elderly mother-in-law across from Montreal (Canada) to Melbourne. She is nervous and mildly infirm, so we were going to request special assistance from the airline. Presumably they'll stick her in a wheelchair and keep an eye on her.

Obviously the fewer connections and airlines the better. We were thinking of using either United (via LA) or Qatar (via Doha) as only a single change of plane would be required and they're both reasonable long-haul airlines.

Anybody out there have any experience with similar situations? Any personal airline recommendations?

Ummm….. they wont keep an eye on her, no. Wheelchair assistance, sure. I think you may need to temper your expectations ..

Agree. To me better if a family member travel with her.
She may need a medical clearance (and insurance) Airlines will not take risks
Has she done this trip before?
Class of travel?
One way or return?
Airlines are public transport. Not private jets.
From Montreal (Canada) to Melbourne possibly to be 2 transfers. 1 transfer would be hopeful.
Leaving Canada for USA, USA immigration done in Canada.
On the way back need to do the full USA immigration to landside, bag drop and back airside after security.
Via DOH is 3509 miles greater distance. About 7hrs longer flight time.

A map from the Great Circle Mapper

A map from the Great Circle Mapper

www.gcmap.com

A map from the Great Circle Mapper

A map from the Great Circle Mapper

www.gcmap.com

 

[funnymummy]

Last week I got an email from smart traveler the plaza premium group mentions meet and assist and gate to gate support for members

 

[Boganite]

Thank you everyone for your very helpful replies. The cost of sending me or my wife to Canada, then back to Oz with her mother, then to Canada again, then back to Oz would be prohibitive. Concierge it is then.