JustBeingCP

I travelled with British Airways to Stockholm in Sweden this week from London Heathrow airport as a wheelchair user.

In 2024 I completed a similar journey with the same airline from the same airport to the German capital, Berlin so I kind of knew what to expect.

I was unable to check in online for my fight, so on arrival at the airport I headed straight over to the BA (British Airways) check in desks to do this and confirm what assistance I would require from the team delivering the special assistance service.

It was at this point where my wheelchair was tagged and questions around my batteries were answered, it was then agreed that I would meet the special assistance team at the gate so that I could be assisted onto the aeroplane.

At the door to the plane I transferred from my wheelchair into a seat called the alise-chair which is used to move me to my seat onboard.

Disabled passengers are normally boarded first as this makes it easier for the staff and more dignified for us as the passenger.

However, on this occasion, I was the last passenger on board, which was not a very enjoyable experience because there were some people looking at me.

The next time I moved from my seat was at my destination (Stockholm or Heathrow), where I was assisted off the plane and back into either my wheelchair or an airport one.

This is so that I could be taken to baggage reclaim where my wheelchair was waiting, if necessary.

BA’s (British Airways) cabin crew were phenomenal during both fights and really made me feel welcome.

The crew didn’t really interact with me on arrival in Stockholm whilst waiting on my special assistance, they only confirmed that I would meet my wheelchair in baggage reclaim.

My wheelchair arrived safely into Sweden and London and that was thanks to the ground crew at both airports, who I cannot thank enough for their care and attention when moving my legs around.

Read more about my experience at Stockholm’s Arlanda airport: https://just-being-cp.co.uk/2025/10/27/special-assistance-at-stockholms-arlanda-airport-was-eye-watering-at-times-on-arrival-in-sweden/

It’s pleasing to see that BA use luggage containers to transport things like wheelchairs during fights as this protects them from getting damaged during transit. I only know that this is what they do because I witnessed them loading my very chair into one at Brandenberg Airport in Berlin, last year.

Special assistance is offered by the airline and can be booked up to 48 hours before departure or at the time of booking, it is however delivered by the airport on behalf of the airline.

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Cam