Flying can be stressful for just about anyone. Having to deal with potential travel delays and even cancellations, as well as just dealing with crowds and sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers for hours can feel like a hassle.
Flying is stressful
For wheelchair users, though, flying is even MORE complicated. However, a new airline seat could potentially change that and make flying more accessible and EASIER.
When a wheelchair user flies right now, the standard procedure is that the traveler can take their wheelchair to the entrance of the airplane. Then the airline attendants can help transfer the traveler to a transfer chair or aisle chair, after which point airline staff will wheel the traveler to their seat on the plane. That is A LOT.
Flying is not easy for those with wheelchairs
However, according to CBS News, a new type of airplane seat debuted at an expo recently, and it could allow travelers to remain in their own electric-powered wheelchairs throughout their flight. The design even allows wheelchair users to still use the seat’s headrest, center console, and tray tables. The seat was created in collaboration with Delta Flight Products and Air4All.
©PriestmanGoode
This is how it works: cushions in the seat that would normally be used for regular seating are detached from the rest of the seat (the part that’s bolted down). The base of the seat would fold up to the back of the area, and it’s set up to allow a wheelchair to easily back up into it. A raised headrest allows people to use it comfortably while sitting in their wheelchairs.
All we have to say is, “Wow.” This is truly a game-changer.
©CNN
The seat still has to go through its final design and validation stages, then it will be tested and certified to meet both U.S. and European standards. So we don’t know exactly when it will become available on airplanes, but we hope the answer is “soon.”
We’ll keep you updated on more, so stay tuned to DFB for more!
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Wow!!! That’s really impressive! I’m really surprised that something like this hasn’t been invented a lot sooner! I love it!