- By: Oman Content Team
- March 20, 2025
- 0 Comments
The prospect of air travel is more complicated and daunting if you live with a disability and depend on a mobility device to access the world. Other than booking tickets and packing bags like other travelers, people with disabilities have other fears. They have questions like plane is accessible, what if the wheelchair gets lost or damaged, do flight attendants help with wheelchairs, and how much extra is it to bring a wheelchair. But with the right preparation and knowledge, traveling by air with an electric wheelchair can be easier and free of worry.
In this blog, we will share invaluable tips and advice for lightweight folding wheelchairs for travelling in Oman to help you.
1. Know Your Wheelchair
The first tip is that you need to understand the type of your electric wheelchair; as we know, power wheelchairs are equipped with different types of batteries. So, it is important to know weight, dimensions, and battery details of your electric wheelchair to see if it matches with airline’s requirements. We suggest you go for lightweight folding power wheelchairs. Lightweight electric wheelchairs can be easily stored with your package during travel. As the airlines will ask for details about your wheelchair multiple times, from booking to check-in, it is better to write them down or save them on your phone for easy access.
2. Communicate with Your Airline
You should know that not all airlines accommodate every type of electric wheelchair battery. So before booking your flight, it is better to visit the airline’s website or call their customer service and discuss your wheelchair size and battery type with them. After learning about the details of your power wheelchair, they will confirm whether they can handle your wheelchair’s size and battery type or not. Most of the airlines have specific rules about battery wattage or wheelchair dimensions, so it’s better to check early to avoid surprises at the airport.
3. Understanding Battery Type
As we know, two types of batteries are considered air-safe; one is Lead Acid Batteries, and the second is Lithium-ion Batteries. If your wheelchair has a lithium battery, it’s important to know whether it’s removable or non-removable. Most of the airlines in Oman have strict rules about lithium-ion removable batteries that should not have more than a 300-watt-hour limit. So, it is essential to double-check with your airline to ensure compliance with their rules.
4. Notify the Airline in Advance
To avoid any hassle at the airport, it is recommended to inform your airline about your wheelchair and ask about the assistance they provide to wheelchair users. Most of the airlines in Oman allow you to book your assistance in advance online or over the phone. You need to provide details like whether your wheelchair is manual or electric, its weight, and dimensions.
5. Pre-Book Assistance
As soon as you book your flight, you should pre-book any assistance you’ll need. Assistance includes help with check-in, security, and boarding. Pre-booking ensures the airport staff are prepared to assist you and make your journey smoother and less stressful.
6. Arrive Early
Airport assistance can sometimes take longer due to high demand. To avoid stress, arriving a few hours before your flight is a better option. By reaching the airport earlier, you have plenty of time to check in, go through security, and reach the boarding gate without waiting for your turn in a long queue. If you’re traveling during peak times from Oman airport, we suggest you consider arriving even earlier.
7. Report to the Assistance Desk First
When you reach the airport, head straight to the assistance desk. Assisting staff at the assistance desk will confirm your details and ensure everything is ready for your journey. The assistance staff will guide you through check-in and security to make your experience much smoother at airport.
8. Get a Luggage Tag for Your Wheelchair
If you do not want to lose your electric wheelchair, always insist on a baggage tag for your wheelchair. This tag proves that your wheelchair is in the system and can help if you need to claim damage. Most airports in Oman issue the tag at the boarding gate, so you’d better check if it’s attached to your power wheelchair before you part with your chair.
9. Bring an Emergency Repair Kit
Even with careful handling, there is always a slight chance that your wheelchairs can get damaged during travel. So it is better to pack a small repair kit with essentials like Allen wrenches, replacement screws, zip ties, and spare tire tubes. If you’re traveling overseas, bring a spare wheelchair battery with you, so you can replace it wherever you need during trip. It will save you a lot of trouble and let you enjoy your journey to the fullest.
10. Consider Wheelchair warranty
A wheelchair warranty can provide you with extra peace of mind during travel. As one of the best electric wheelchair suppliers in Oman, Oman Mobility offers a manufacturer’s warranty of parts for all our electric wheelchairs. If you are going for long-haul flights, an electric wheelchair from Oman Mobility can ensure stress-free, smooth travel for you. You can explore our wide range of air-safe electric wheelchair for sell in Oman at www.omanmobility.com and find the one that suits your needs.
Pro Tip: Take Care of Cushions
Before your flight, please take a picture of your wheelchair to record its condition before the flight so that you can use it as proof in case of any damage. With the help of that image, it can be easier to file a claim with the airline. And last but not the least, don’t forget your electric wheelchair cushion. Please do not leave them on your power wheelchair, or else there will be a high chance of losing them. These small steps can keep your electric wheelchair in optimal condition and make your journey effortless and less stressful.
Final Thoughts
It seems hard, but traveling can be a wonderful experience and a great way to see different parts of the world. With proper planning and following these tips, you can enjoy a smooth and hassle-free journey. BY arriving early, getting an air safe electric wheelchair from OmanMobility, and complying with airline rules, you can have best air travel of your life.
