Most airlines have a special assistance team which will be alerted about your request for wheelchair. ITA Airways dedicated team must have information about wheelchair assistance at least 48 hours before departure. Preferably, you must request ITA Airways wheelchair during the booking process. Since the airline will have your personal wheelchair checked in baggage hold, you must specify the level of assistance you will need. The level of assistance required can be indicated by codes WCHC, WCHS and WCHR. WCHC is the highest level of assistance where you may get an on-board wheelchair. You can call Air1Network on +1-844-414-9223 for details of the assistance you may get on ITA Airways. In this blog we’ll guide you on all aspects of getting wheelchair assistance.
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Conditions for accepting personal wheelchairs on ITA Airways.
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Ways on how to get special assistance on ITA Airways.
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Charges you will pay for special assistance.
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Wrong turns when you want assistance and how to avoid them.
Do you need approval of ITA Airways for a personal wheelchair?
Details of your personal wheelchair will be required in the airline’s format. The form is accessible online. ITA Airways mobility assistance form must be filled up and submitted in case your wheelchair is battery-operated. You may hand it over to an ITA Airways staff member or attach it to the wheelchair. The airline will need the below details to give carriage to your wheelchair in hold.
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Dimensions of the wheelchair - Doors of baggage hold have limitations with wheelchair size which can be adjusted.
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Battery-types installed - ITA Airways will need these details for safe storage. Only batteries rated 300Wh or 160Wh will be allowed.
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List of removable parts - Removable parts like Joysticks, seat cushions and footrests may have to be kept in carry-on.
Arrival time at airport for passengers requiring ITA Airways wheelchair assistance varies depending on the route. You may contact Air1Network or ITA Airways on +1-844-414-9223 or +1-877-793-1717 for details or assistance.
How Do you Get Special Assistance on ITA Airways?
Special assistance is subject to approval from ITA Airways. A MEDIF must be submitted at least 96 hours before departure. ITA Airways wants you to skip holidays and non-working days. The below types of ITA Airways special assistance are assured if it is a flight marketed and operated by the airline.
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Oxygen concentrators - POCs approved by the airline may be brought on-board.
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Therapeutic or Medical oxygen - If you are traveling with your own oxygen tank you will have to seek an authorization.
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Stretcher service - The service may be availed only by passengers whose height is at least 100 cm.
Do you need to pay for Assistance on ITA Airways?
As on most airlines, you will not have to pay ITA Airways wheelchair assistance cost. Special assistance may require you to pay a charge. The service requested may be unavailable if it is codeshare flight. Take a look at what may be chargeable.
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Oxygen tanks - If you request an oxygen tank from ITA Airways, you will have to pay for it.
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Stretcher service - You may have to pay fares of 2 adults to avail stretcher service.
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Personal safety assistant - If you need assistance with fastening seatbelts, you will have to book a personal safety assistant.
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Personal care attendant - If you need assistance with getting transferred from seat to on-board wheelchair, a personal care attendant will have to be booked.
Why can’t ITA Airways provide me assistance?
ITA Airways doesn’t guarantee you the requested assistance. You may not find the assistance if it is a flight not marketed and operated by the airline. If you have changed a flight, request the ITA Airways disability assistance again. Take a look at what may deprive you of the desired assistance.
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If you don’t have a medical clearance before departure - Submit the details of your special assistance at least 96 hours before departure.
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If your assistance dog is not trained for the task - Fully-trained assistance dogs are only accepted.
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If your height is below 100cm - Stretcher service can’t be provided to children and infants.
If you don’t provide technical details of a personal wheelchair - ITA Airways must be provided with a technical datasheet about your personal wheelchair.
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If you don’t arrive at the airport 2 hours before departure - ITA Airways may need time to mobilize resources.
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If you have connecting flights in your itinerary - You may not be able to use your personal wheelchair if connection time is short.
One piece of luggage weighing 23kg may be checked free of charge by disabled passengers. But this is only meant for essential supplies meant specifically for the passenger. For details or assistance you may contact ITA Airways or Air1Network on +1-844-414-9223 or +1-877-793-1717.