6 months on from the initial survey, the global landscape has changed. It is relevant to now understand whether peoples perceptions of flying has changed since May earlier this year.

Respondents answered the same questions as in the previous survey to ensure a comparison was possible. Additional questions covered likely engagement of the disabled community with industry in advisory groups and consultations, as well as views on those who have travelled with a disability during COVID-19.

The main comparisons and findings from the survey

It is clear that since May, people are now less confident in flying until there is a vaccine. But a significant portion of disabled people are still considering flying.

According to research reported by the Independent (a UK newspaper), 4 in 10 people have been financially impacted by Coronavirus. It is clear from surveys that disabled peoples financial constraints have not impacted their decision to book future travel by air.

After assessing peoples willingness to fly without a vaccine, coupled with consideration of peoples financial impact. Respondents identified when they visage being able to fly next. Clearly people are much less likely to fly in the shorter term (in the next few months). With people preferring to hold on for 6-12 months before flying again. There appears to still be much uncertainty to give disabled passengers the confidence and trust to return.

Respondents also identified where they would be willing to fly to when they get round to flying again. Interestingly, there appears to be a rise in domestic travel. People clearly feel more confident travelling closer to home.

To provide greater insight as to why many disabled passengers are still opting not to fly and what gives them most cause for concern. Here is a list in order of most cause for concern by the respondents:

• Sitting/being in close proximity to others, particularly onboard aircraft
• Air conditioning / recycled air inside the cabin
• Being assisted by special assistance – particularly for wheelchair users
• Wearing face masks for long periods
• Catching the virus abroad or quarantined
• Not understanding people with face masks on

Given flights have resumed, disabled people have been flying. Therefore, it was important to give respondents the opportunity to share their experiences of flying during COVID. So the following questions were asked.

Overall the aviation industry is positively handling COVID-19 safety requirements

The statistics suggest the industry is successfully managing COVID-19 safety requirements inline with passenger expectations. And should be a re-assuring message to the disabled community and further a field that aviation is a safe environment to travel. However, do the respondents suggest others to travel based on how they felt.

It’s clear that although people may feel safe when travelling, due to nature of COVID-19, people are still feeling uneasy at recommending others to travel. Suggesting that most believe it is down to ones individual risk appetite to fly. Which could be a whole host of different variables such as government restrictions, regional lockdowns, testing facilities and more.

COVID-19 has accelerated the industry to advance its implementation of technology to reduce the amount of touchpoint areas to reduce the risk of transmitting infections. However, such technologies could have a significant impact on disabled people and their ability to navigate airports. And as aircraft look for long term solutions to make their cabins more robust to breakout of infections in the future, potential redesigns of cabins expose significant implications to those with disabilities.

It is critical in all areas across the aviation industry to ensure disabled people and their insights are captured at different stages into new designs, process, training and technology to ensure disabled people and their journeys are as seamless and independent as possible.

We therefore asked respondents if they would be willing to support the industry in consultations, advisory groups etc.

That concludes the research for this year and the impact COVID-19 has had on the disability community and of course the industry. Hopefully this insight has been valuable, providing a clearer picture of when people might return to the skies with a disability.

Thankyou

Thanks to everyone who has supported the survey. Without you, this insight for the industry would not have been possible.

For more information, please contact:

• Josh Wintersgill
• Telephone: +44(0)7770510766
• Email: joshwintersgill@easytravelseat.com

Notes for editors:

• easyTravelseat – award winning transfer device for wheelchair users to use when being lifted on and off aircraft. You can follow us on Facebook or Twitter using @Able_MoveUK
• Across the two surveys, 500 disabled people across the globe shared their thoughts on flying in a COVID-19 world with a good variety of mobility/impairments and geographical responses across Europe, America, Asia, Australia/New Zealand and Africa

The post COVID-19: Take 2 – Flying with a disability survey appeared first on easyTravelseat.

On arrival at Gatwick South Terminal drop-off point, the staff were brilliant. They helped Josh and his father with all their luggage right through to check-in and into departure lounge.

When arriving at the gate to board, passenger had already started boarding, whilst Josh and 6 wheelchair users were yet to board. He will never forget Virgin allowing certain passengers to board, whilst a couple were sipping champagne at the aircraft door watching all of us waiting and of course boarding! Josh and the crew were given an apology by crew mid-flight.

At arrival in Antigua, the group were prompted with special assistance extremely quickly. However, the two gentlemen failed to turn up with an appropriate aisle chair. This is what was used to take 7 wheelchair users of the aircraft.

This is what should have been used.

After making it through Antigua airport, Josh was then faced with accessible transport to Falmouth harbour. It was a minibus with no ramps. All wheelchair users needed lifting or supporting into their seats. Whilst another minibus was used to transport the wheelchairs and luggage.

On arrival at the harbour, Josh and his father were greeted by the fabulous crew and a spot of rain, before making their way to the wonderful Tenacious. This is the way in which wheelies are to get on and off Tenacious when docked. 

After inductions and signing in at Tenacious, there were a few days of onboard training, including emergency training.

Josh and his father were then shown their bunks, below are some photos of how Josh got onto his bed, including the Wheelable shower chair which Josh used during the trip and comes with its own case.

After completing all the inductions, training, and getting their bunks. A trip was organised to go and visit Shirley heights with all the wheelies and volunteers.

Then it was time to get sailing, after being introduced into our watches. The original plan was to head to Anguilla but due to some changes, the captain had decided that sailing to Barbuda was going to be the new route – which from Antigua is around an 8-hour sail.

The morning after arriving in Barbuda, it was time for Josh and his father to get ready to go ashore onto the Princess Diana beach. Initially josh wasn’t going to go ashore, but with the beach buggy and gentle encouragement by the crew Josh made it.

After a day and evening in Barbuda, it was time for the crew, Josh and his Father, to sail back to Antigua.

When they had arrived back in Antigua, all the wheelies got the opportunity to be winched up to the crow’s nest so to speak. On Tenacious, wheelies were winched to the first deck which is just above the Coarse beam. To see the footage watch the full v-log here. But this was the view when Josh got to the top.

After all the sailing it was time to dock back in at Falmouth harbour for our last evening in Antigua. The tradition on this voyage every year is to have a form of Pantomime – the theme this year was James Bond!

After packing up and saying their farewells to all the crew and the amazing volunteers, it was time for the wheelies group including Josh and his Father to head back to Antigua airport and head home.

On arrival at the airport, the group where hit with a 5 hour delay due to the storms going on in the UK. At the point of arriving Josh needed to sit on the toilet. Unfortunately, Antigua airport (VC Bird) does not have a changing places toilet, so Josh was to hold on to the toilet for what turned out to be 14 hours.

When going through Security at the airport, Josh was asked by Security if he could stand up out of his wheelchair for Security to check his cushion for Security. Obviously, Josh cannot stand and after 15 minutes of waiting as they checked with management and Josh was allowed through. Although Security did ensure all the other 6 wheelies got out of their wheelchair!

After waiting for the delay to pass, the group were allowed to board. To Josh’s amazement, again there was no aisle chair to board the wheelies and they ended up having to use the tiny onboard toilet chair again – absolutely disgraceful!

Upon arrival back in the UK the group were then faced with a 40-minute wait before being able to disembark the aircraft. The group were originally told they would have to go to the baggage claims area to collect their wheelchairs, this was due to the high winds causing a problem for a lift that is usually used to bring the chairs straight to the door, but after waiting and resisting, the wheelchairs finally arrived at the aircraft door 40 minutes later.

Josh and his father finally made it hope from a trip of lifetime with huge ups and downs but my gosh was it an eye opener for a world that has endless possibilities, set only by one’s imagination.

To learn more about:

easyTravelseat – visit here

Jubilee Sailing Trust – visit here

Stelios Philanthropic Foundation – visit here

easyTravelseat Shop

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