Best airline for chronically ill to travel on? (airlines, airport, flights) - airfare, hotels, car rental, backpacking, resorts, cruises, vacations, airplanes, international... - City-Data Forum

DiJay · 09-12-2009, 01:04 PM

We will be flying to Charlotte NC with my young adult chronically ill son next month. Is there any one airline that you know of that is especially good for him to travel on? He needs extra leg room and has to get up and walk around a bit. Other times he needs to keep his legs us due to Blood Pressure problems...

THanks!

annerk · 09-12-2009, 01:34 PM

None of them have all that much to move around, nor do they offer enough legroom to put your legs up, even in first class.

Additionally when the fasten seatbelt light is on, no one can move about the cabin for any reason.

US Airways has the most flights in and out of CLT, flying them will give you the best chance of a direct flight.

DiJay · 09-12-2009, 03:01 PM

Thank you

wheelsup · 09-12-2009, 03:27 PM

I've been on some US Air aircraft that have what must be 5-6 feet of leg room in the exit row window seats. I believe it was an Airbus.

annerk · 09-12-2009, 05:07 PM

My guess is that the chronic illness that the posters son has will preclude him from being seated in an exit row. Passengers in those rows must be healthy and able enough to assist FA's in case of emergency.

wheelsup · 09-12-2009, 05:23 PM

Good point, that's why I'm not a Flight Attendant!

South Range Family · 09-12-2009, 05:54 PM

We still don't have a city of departure. We don't know what airlines are available.

annerk · 09-12-2009, 06:43 PM

Based on other posts, I'm going to assume DiJay is in MA, and would then likely be flying from BOS. I guess MHT or PVD might work as well.

So pretty much any carrier the OP wants to use from the legacies, or Jet Blue would be an option.

DiJay · 09-12-2009, 08:44 PM

You're right, we are in MA and BOS is usually the option as we can take the Logan Express into the airport and not worry about parking. PVD is great but over an hours drive away and so is Manchester. They are easier to navigate but a far drive...

I personally like Jet Blue (out of BOS) but flew alone and didn't have to worry about extra space or leg room for myself. I like Southwest also but they are out of PVD and/or Manchester- no express to the airport that is convenient from where we are... (typical NE "can't get there from here...")
Worcester airport only has flights to certain southern localities, the closest to Charlotte/Charleston is Myrtle Beach.

Thank you for all the opinions expressed, they are much appreciated!

annerk · 09-12-2009, 09:05 PM

In all honesty they are really all about the same. by the sounds of it he's not eligible to sit in an exit row, and unfortunately these days most of the foreward cabin bulkhead seats are reserved for elite flyers. You might try calling the airline direct to see how they can assist you, but also be aware that the equipment can change at the last minute, and then all bets are off.

Fortunately it's only about a two hour flight from BOS to CLT. I would suggest taking the first flight of the morning (around 6:00 am) to decrease the chances of delays which might keep you sitting on the tarmac for an hour or more waiting to take off. (Like I did in PHL the other night...)