Here if you need us

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If you use a powered wheelchair, you’re most welcome to travel with it on Virgin Atlantic.

There are couple of things to take note of to make it quicker and easier to fly with your battery-powered wheelchair:

  • Please let our Special Assistance know you’re planning to bring it, ideally more than 48 hours before your flight. They can be reached on 0844 412 4455.
  • Download and complete a copy of our electric wheelchair information for each leg of your flight (so, two copies for a return flight). You’ll need the form when you check in:

Download and complete

Electric wheelchair information form PDF 31KB

This form is in PDF format, which requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you don’t already have it, you can download Adobe Acrobat Reader for free. If you can’t download the form, just give our Special Assistance team a call and they’ll send it to you by post – please bear in mind it could take up to five working days to arrive.

Further information

  • As you’ll see on the form, airport staff will need to know how to deactivate your equipment – so it would also be helpful if you could bring two copies of the assembly and disassembly pages from your instruction manual.

  • We’ll also need to know if the batteries are spillable or non-spillable. For more information on the different types of wheelchair battery, see the information further down this page.

Checking in and picking up your battery-powered wheelchair

It would be a great help if you could arrive at least 90 minutes before your scheduled time of departure, so we can prepare your wheelchair for your flight.

You will often be able to stay in your wheelchair until you get to the aircraft  – if not, you’ll be able to use a wheelchair provided by the airport after checking your wheelchair in. This process differs between airports around the world.

On landing, whenever possible we’ll have your wheelchair ready and waiting at the aircraft doors. However, you may have to reclaim it at the baggage hall – in these instances an airport wheelchair will be made available until yours can be reclaimed.

Bringing your wheelchair batteries

Due to various regulations, we have to treat wet cell and dry or gel cell batteries a little differently. You can bring either type with you – just follow these guidelines when you’re preparing for your trip.

Wet cell batteries

Wet cell batteries are considered ‘spillable’ and must be suitably prepared before they can be transported by air. We can only accept wet cell batteries onto our aircraft if:

  • There is no obvious defect to the battery when removed.
  • The battery is disconnected and terminals are insulated to prevent short circuits.
  • The wheelchair or mobility aid can be loaded, secured and unloaded in an upright position.

Dry and gel cell batteries

Dry cell and gel cell batteries are considered ‘non-spillable’; these batteries are fine to stay on your wheelchair in flight if:

  • There is no chance of possible short-circuiting or unintentional operation (ie. all motors must be rendered inoperative). If this is not possible, the battery cables must be disconnected and the battery terminals must be insulated to prevent short circuits.
  • The battery is securely attached to the wheelchair and fully enclosed in a rigid housing that is properly marked.

Spare batteries

  • Only dry and gel cell (non-spillable) batteries can be carried separately from the wheelchair as spare batteries in your baggage, as wet cell batteries packaged on their own are classed as dangerous goods.
  • Please let our Special Assistance team know you would like to bring a spare battery before you travel, as only approved batteries will be allowed on the plane. You can reach them on 0844 412 4455.
  • Spare batteries must be suitably packed and checked in to the hold.
  • Battery packs showing cracks and/or damage will not be accepted for transportation.
  • If you need to carry a wet cell battery on its own, please contact Virgin Atlantic Cargo where arrangements can be made for safe packaging and carriage. Please be aware that you may be charged for this service.