A new report, Insights into the Flying Experience of People with Postural Seating Needs, commissioned by Driving Mobility and conducted by ableMove with funding from the Department for Transport (DfT), reveals critical challenges faced by passengers with postural needs during air travel. Based on data from 151 passengers, healthcare professionals, and sector experts in the UK, the findings underline the need for urgent improvements across the UK aviation industry.
Key Findings:
- Safety concerns: 78% of respondents reported unsafe experiences with aisle chairs.
- Dissatisfaction with postural support devices: 72% expressed dissatisfaction with available postural seating devices onboard.
- Access to information: 81% struggled to find reliable guidance on managing postural needs when flying.
- Inconsistent airline practices around postural support devices: Airline policies and staff awareness vary widely, affecting service quality.
- Low awareness and availability of transfer equipment: Essential equipment like slings and Eagle hoists is underutilised due to limited awareness and inconsistent availability.
- Underutilisation of SATAC services: Specialist Air Travel Advice Centres (SATACs), which provide critical postural device trials and assessments, remain underused due to low awareness and accessibility challenges.
For many disabled people with postural support needs, finding out about options for air travel that meet their needs and making sure those needs are met on board can be hugely challenging. This report highlights both problems and potential solutions, and focusses on practical steps that the airline industry, health care professionals and Government can take, as well as the role of Driving Mobility centres in providing expert advice to enable disabled people to plan their journeys. Ann Frye, President of Driving Mobility
Recommendations:
The report identifies 12 actionable recommendations, including:
- Enhancing training for airline staff on postural support needs and transferring equipment.
- Increasing awareness, access and potential expansion to SATACs to improve support for passengers with postural needs.
- Expanding the availability of postural support devices and ensuring consistent airline policies.
- Strengthening collaboration between airlines, governments, and healthcare providers to create a more inclusive travel environment.
“While the UK aviation industry has made progress in addressing the needs of passengers with postural support requirements, significant barriers remain. This report calls for urgent action from various stakeholders—not just within the aviation industry—on safety, policy alignment, greater awareness of available equipment, and increased innovation to improve postural support devices.” Josh Wintersgill, Founder and Director of ableMove
For further details, visit AbleMove or Driving Mobility.
ableMove Contact:
Josh Wintersgill
AbleMove Ltd.
Email: joshwintersgill@ablemove.co.uk
Phone: 07770510766
Driving Mobility Contact:
Name: Edward Trewhella
Role: CEO
Email: edward@drivingmobility.org.uk
Phone: 07943 707958
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