Travel&Vacation

Only a minority of us are truly disabled, in the legal sense of the term, but many of us have lost a step or two. Travel is tough enough even for the young, so the rest of us may need a bit of help now and then. Fortunately, it’s often available—if we just ask.

Air travel is the worst. With its lengthy check-in and security lines, long walks to the gate, and hours stuffed into a seat designed to fit a jockey on a diet, travelers with even minor mobility problems face a daunting experience. If you’re in that position, here are some suggestions.

Airports

Whether you’re leaving or arriving, at many big airports you can find electric golf cart-style vehicles to transport you through the check-in area, gates, and baggage claim. Some of these vehicles are operated by the airport, others by individual airlines. But, in any case, the service is usually free for the asking. If possible, arrange help in advance: Check with both your airline and your airports about provisions for disabled travelers and how to prearrange them. Or ask when you get to the airport, at either the drop-off point or your arrival gate. Allow enough extra time in case the service is busy. Even when an airport does not have a golf cart, all of them can arrange for a wheelchair, or you can use your own if you have one. Again, try to prearrange.

Scheduling

Given the physical challenges of big airports, try to avoid connecting flights if at all possible. That’s a good way to minimize cancellations and lost baggage, too. Avoiding a huge mid-country hub in favor of a nonstop is well worth the extra bucks nonstop flights sometimes entail. Also, where possible, avoid regional jets or turboprops: They’re cramped and much of the time you have to climb in and out on narrow, steep built-in stairs rather than on a jetway.

Airline Choice

No matter what your physical condition, extra legroom is probably the most important comfort advantage you can find. Presuming that you don’t want to pay today’s exorbitant first-class fares, you should try to fly an airline with above-average legroom in coach.

Your best bet is JetBlue, where all the seats have above-average space, and its extra-space option has lots of legroom at a modest extra cost. Your next best deal is United’s Economy Plus option, available on almost all flights, where you can buy an extra-legroom seat for a few dollars on each flight or annual access for $349. Although you can’t do it in advance, a few lines sell instant upgrades for first or business class at the gate, and AirTran now offers onboard upgrades. Bulkhead and exit-row seats also have extra legroom, but those are usually reserved for high-ranking frequent flyers or families with kids. If nothing else, if your airline offers advance seat selection, by all means try for an aisle seat.

Boarding

Most airlines routinely board travelers with special needs (as well as those with small kids) ahead of the mob. Ask at the podium when you check in for the flight. Your objectives here are to snag an aisle seat if you don’t already have an assignment and to stow your carry-on before the bin is full.

Hotels

Even if you’re only a bit stiff or inflexible, you may want to ask for a disabled room. That usually guarantees no stair climbing, with either ground floor or elevator access. Also, you find showers with a low sill, so you don’t have to climb over a high bathtub rim, and bars next to the toilet. Disabled rooms are usually available at whatever rate you pay. Note, however, that you can’t use Hotwire or Priceline if you need a special room.

My suggestions here are for travelers who suffer only minor mobility problems. Most airlines and hotels offer special assistance to travelers who are seriously disabled—ask a reservationist or check the airline’s website for more details. And for more extensive information, log onto The Disabled Traveler or Flying with Disability.