Having a smooth flight journey is every passenger's core intention. And that’s why they look for an airline that can offer the best services. Well, services are a broad category, and the type of services passengers need depends entirely on their requirements. When it comes to wheelchair assistance, many airlines, including Turkish Airlines, offer it.
Using any services, including wheelchair assistance, requires following the policy. Hence, passengers are required to familiarize themselves with Turkish Airlines wheelchair assistance. Knowing the policy is not only helpful for learning the rules, but it also sheds light on the method for choosing it.
Several passengers require special assistance, including wheelchair assistance. Fortunately, the airline offers this service. However, it can’t be automatically assigned to passengers. In fact, it is required to choose Turkish Airline wheelchair assistance when making the flight booking. However, before opting for the service, it is necessary to understand the associated rules.
The airline offers this mobility service to passengers who need it most, such as pregnant women, senior citizens, and passengers with difficulty walking. So, if you’re facing any of these difficulties, including any illness, it is required to book wheelchair Turkish Airlines in advance. Now, it’s time to understand its rules:
These are the generic rules regarding the airline’s wheelchair assistance. However, the rules for stretcher assistance are different and require a specific understanding. Other than that, the airline requires passengers to arrive at the airport early for baggage check-in as well. For more information, read Turkish Airlines baggage policy.
After understanding the rules regarding Turkish Airlines wheelchair assistance, it’s now time to learn what types of mobility assistance are provided by the airline:
Apart from this, the airline also offers on-board assistance to passengers who need it throughout the flight. However, this assistance is limited to movement within the cabin and access to the lavatories.
| Code | Meaning | Assistance Provided |
|---|---|---|
| WCHR | Wheelchair - Ramp | Passengers who can ascend stairs and walk to their seat but need help for long distances in the airport terminal. |
| WCHS | Wheelchair - Steps | Passengers who cannot ascend stairs but can walk to their seat once inside the cabin. |
| WCHC | Wheelchair - Cabin | Passengers who are completely immobile and need an "aisle chair" to be moved into their seats and require assistance throughout the flight. |
Generally, the airline won’t have any specific policy for the use of a stretcher. But there are some rules that must be followed, and yes, they are different from the wheelchair policy.
Here are the rules for using a stretcher in Turkish Airlines:
These are the rules that must be followed to use a stretcher on Turkish Airlines. Apart from that, the medical report must be submitted in Turkish or English. No other language will be accepted (if not officially translated), and a statement must be written in it reading “There is no objection to traveling by plane”.
Note: Passengers who are required to submit a fit-to-fly certificate must include the doctor’s full name, diploma number, official signature, and the date of issuance.
After learning the rules, the next most important question is how to make a Turkish Airlines wheelchair assistance request. Well, just like any other request, wheelchair assistance can be arranged either through the official website or by calling the airline directly. However, separate steps are required.
The process for a wheelchair assistance request in an existing booking is similar to that for an initial booking. Here are the required steps:
Note: If you found incorrect or misspelled name on you ticket then you must check out name correction policy Turkish Airlines to know what to do next.
Most passengers seek direct assistance to obtain detailed information about the airline’s wheelchair assistance. It helps to know the limitations or requirements of using the mobility service directly from the airline’s representative.
Here are the required steps to follow when calling the airline:
Note: In addition to choosing wheelchair assistance, a passenger can call the airline to add their baby to their ticket. However, before calling, you can review the Turkish Airlines infant policy.
Important Note: Any passenger taking a flight from Istanbul Airport who requests wheelchair assistance can check in at a specific counter. If taking international flights, head to G40, G41, G42, and G43 counters. And if taking domestic flights, go to D17, D18, D19, D20, D21, and D22.
No, a passenger can’t make a Turkish Airlines wheelchair request online reddit, as assistance can only be provided through the airline’s official channels. Hence, any passenger with limited mobility is required to either use the official website or call the airline directly to request wheelchair assistance. Additionally, the free complimentary wheelchair service will be provided to passengers whose requests are approved by the airline. Without approval, no assistance will be provided.
Speaking of Reddit, it might not help you to request wheelchair assistance on their platform, but it can help you to know how to reserve one. Here, we are attaching a link that shows how people can request wheelchair assistance on Turkish Airlines flights.
https://www.reddit.com/r/TurkishAirlines/comments/1eex6ji/how_to_order_wheelchair_for_sick_patient/
Although Turkish Airlines offers complimentary wheelchair assistance, passengers may bring their own wheelchairs. However, it is required to follow certain rules when bringing your own mobility device:
These are the general details regarding powered wheelchairs allowed on Turkish flights. However, it is recommended to call the airline and know the exact rules.
If you are confused about a service animal/emotional support animal policy and comparing it with Turkish Airlines pet policy, you need to understand the difference first. Turkish Airlines emotional support animal policy differs slightly from its standard pet policy. Below are the rules that help you to understand it:
You may also want to explore a Turkish Airlines seat upgrade. Business class seats offer direct aisle access on all long-haul routes, which removes the need to climb over fellow passengers and makes the overall journey significantly easier for those with limited mobility.
With Turkish Airlines wheelchair assistance, passengers with limited mobility can fly smoothly. However, certain rules must be followed, including requesting wheelchair assistance in advance, typically 2 days before the flight departure date. The last-minute request can cause trouble and disrupt the flight experience. For more information, call the airline's customer service to request assistance.
The airline offers free wheelchair assistance categorized by standard Service Request (SSR) codes. These codes are WCHR, WCHS, and WCHC. The passenger is required to choose one of these services that suits their needs.
Yes, Turkish Airlines offers complimentary wheelchair assistance to those passengers who need it. However, it must be pre-booked. Typically, two days before the flight departure date. Either use the official website or call the airline directly to request wheelchair assistance.
Wheelchair-dependent passengers flying with Turkish Airlines are advised to arrive at least 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international flights. Ensure that they request wheelchair assistance at least 48 hours before the flight departure.
Not only priority boarding, but Turkish Airlines also allows priority check-in and seating to passengers who request wheelchair assistance. However, it is still advisable to reach the airport a few hours before the scheduled flight departure time.
Generally, a travel companion is not mandatory for those passengers who request Turkish Airlines wheelchair assistance. Having a companion is a personal choice and is usually needed when passengers with disabilities can’t do their work independently. Additionally, the traveling of a companion is not free and requires a separate flight ticket and seat.
Wheelchair-dependent passengers traveling with Turkish Airlines are required to submit a fit-to-fly certificate if suffering from serious medical conditions. This medical certificate must mention that the passenger is fit to fly and poses no risk to air travel. And the medical certificate must not be too old, or at least issued 10 days before the flight departure.
Yes, Turkish Airlines offers significant discounts for passengers with disabilities. If flying domestically, 20% off is offered; if traveling internationally (to/from Turkey), 25% off is offered. However, these discounts are only available to Miles&Smiles members. Additionally, the discount will not be automatically applied when requesting wheelchair assistance. Apart from that, “proof of disability” must be submitted at least once.
