Mobility Assistance on one leg of international itinerary

[Cheesey Mac]

On Monday next week my partner and I are flying from Adelaide to Berlin via Perth and LHR. The first two flights are on QF, the connection in Heathrow is on BA. The ticket was booked and ticketed through Qantas.

She ruptured her achilles about a month ago and is hobbling around in a moon boot, having been told that she can treat it conservatively and not have surgery. She can walk short distances without the assistance of crutches, but she will be taking crutches with her and she'll just be a bit slower than normal. Shouldn't be a problem getting through Adelaide airport and Perth airport on crutches (given all the flights are departing/arriving in single terminals) so she's debating not requesting a chair.

The connection in Heathrow was tight before she injured herself (about 1:45, which met the minimum connection time, will have to go from Terminal 3 to Terminal 5), which now feels like it could be too tight to make without a wheelchair in London. I have my concerns if QF9 will actually make it on time anyway, but that's a separate issue.

My questions are:
-If we wanted to request mobility assistance for the connection at Heathrow, does this require us to request it for the entire 3 legs of the itinerary or are we able to request for a single connection?
-If able to request a single leg, given it is a connection to a BA flight, would we need to get in contact with BA to arrange it or would we be able to sort it out through Qantas who ticketed the flights?
-If we have to request a chair for all 3 legs then are we still able to go into the Qantas Lounges or are we expected to be taken by Qantas staff to the gate?

I've been lucky in that I've never had to deal with anything like this, so completely at sea trying to navigate what needs to happen to organise this. Has anyone had experience in this area who may know the best way to go about it?

Appreciate any assistance or advice.

 

[TheInsider]

Go here first maybe for the Qantas flights.

Mobility assistance request form | Qantas

Qantas offers various types of assistance for passengers with reduced mobility and other specific needs. Use this online form to make a request for wheelchair assistance at the airport.

www.qantas.com

 

[drron]

The problem with mobility assistance at LHR is that they often transport all those needing assistance on one golf cart. So when we arrived at LHR on our "cripples" tour After 10 minutes waiting Mrsdrron was confident she could hobble to the exit. We were just leaving for the baggage carousel as the golf cart arrived at Immigration. We weren't Transiting though so may be different.

 

[Cheesey Mac]

Go here first maybe for the Qantas flights.

Mobility assistance request form | Qantas

Qantas offers various types of assistance for passengers with reduced mobility and other specific needs. Use this online form to make a request for wheelchair assistance at the airport.

www.qantas.com

Thanks for that, we did have a look the other night but weren't able to work out if splitting the assistance was possible, and weren't sure if it would affect lounge access (wouldn't think it would).

I'm leaning towards requesting it for all legs just to be safe regardless, but it's not a decision I can make unilaterally.

The problem with mobility assistance at LHR is that they often transport all those needing assistance on one golf cart. So when we arrived at LHR on our "cripples" tour After 10 minutes waiting Mrsdrron was confident she could hobble to the exit. We were just leaving for the baggage carousel as the golf cart arrived at Immigration. We weren't Transiting though so may be different.

I think similarly my partner would be confident of hobbling through without a chair or golf cart, but I think it's just such an unknown for us.

 

[TheInsider]

Thanks for that, we did have a look the other night but weren't able to work out if splitting the assistance was possible, and weren't sure if it would affect lounge access (wouldn't think it would).

I'm leaning towards requesting it for all legs just to be safe regardless, but it's not a decision I can make unilaterally.

Not going to have any issues with lounge access.
Also just request it for all legs, and if it's not used, then it's simply not used.

 

[Seat0B]

My elderly mum has travelled a few times with wheelchair assistance domestically on QF and it was greart. Did not prevent her using the lounge - in fact they wheeled her in and got her a pile of goodies on the couple of times I wasn't with her to do that. Then came back to the lounge to collect her for early boarding. Helped her with her bag and her walking stick. Lovely, kind, chatty staff. She loves it!

I would just request it for all legs and be sure that you get it when she needs it in LHR. Heck, you'll even get priority boarding which will be good so you can stow the crutches across the back of the overhead luggage locker rather than trying to fit it over other people's bags (which, from experience, is a nightmare ). If she does not need it on the day, or a particular leg, there is no problem in thanking the staff and telling them you can manage this one on your own, if that's what she wants to do.

 

[Cheesey Mac]

My elderly mum has travelled a few times with wheelchair assistance domestically on QF and it was greart. Did not prevent her using the lounge - in fact they wheeled her in and got her a pile of goodies on the couple of times I wasn't with her to do that. Then came back to the lounge to collect her for early boarding. Helped her with her bag and her walking stick. Lovely, kind, chatty staff. She loves it!

I would just request it for all legs and be sure that you get it when she needs it in LHR. Heck, you'll even get priority boarding which will be good so you can stow the crutches across the back of the overhead luggage locker rather than trying to fit it over other people's bags (which, from experience, is a nightmare ). If she does not need it on the day, or a particular leg, there is no problem in thanking the staff and telling them you can manage this one on your own, if that's what she wants to do.

Thank you, that is very helpful advice. I really appreciate your input.

 

[Seat0B]

Thank you, that is very helpful advice. I really appreciate your input.

You’re most welcome @Cheesey Mac. It’s a bit stressful travelling when your mobility is impaired.

 

[sue_in_oz]

I am ambulatory but do not cope well with distance or speed especially if I am carrying anything (including a small bag with my essential meds etc.)

I use wheelchair assistance every time I travel internationally. If a buggy is unsuitable, that’s fine, make sure that the person’s needs are stated. They have codes they put in your booking that define the extent of the support needed.

If you have any trouble arranging this support just call the FF number. I always do to check that they still have all my requests against my bookings.

My advice, is arrange and take the assistance. You may be first on and last off but you catch up by baggage collection if not before.

All the best and enjoy your trip.