How easy is it to take a mobility scooter on a plane

Well, it’s surprisingly easy. 

In fact, we challenged ourselves to board a long-haul flight with the Carbon to see just how simple it is to take your Humfree mobility scooter on holiday. 

Lucky for us, we had the perfect excuse: filming our first-ever TV advert in South Africa – which you may have seen on I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! and Coronation Street. It was the ideal opportunity to put our plane-friendly credentials to the test. 

Mobility scooter-friendly airlines

Before jetting off, it’s essential to let the airline know if you’re bringing a mobility aid, such as a portable scooter. 

We travelled with Virgin Atlantic, who made this process as smooth as riding your Humfree. Their customer service team directed us to this quick and easy form, where we answered a few simple questions about our ‘equipment’, aka the Carbon scooter. 

After filling out the form (which took less time than boiling a cuppa), Virgin Atlantic sent us an instant email confirmation, giving much-needed peace of mind before the big trip.

Travelling with your mobility scooter to the airport 

Getting to the airport isn’t always easy, especially if you have mobility issues. 

Good news, we found travelling with the Carbon scooter to be a stress-free experience. 

We made the long journey to the airport by car, popping our scooter into the boot. The Carbon cleverly folds concertina-style into a compact package that fits into the footwell of most cars – even our little Corsa. 

So, that’s one less thing to worry about. 

Is a mobility scooter allowed in an airport?

Short answer: Yes! 

With Virgin Atlantic, you can use your mobility scooter right up until the check-in counter. 

And when we reached the counter, we were pleasantly surprised that the Virgin Atlantic team already knew about the scooter. No questions. No confused looks. They simply removed the battery so we could put it in our hand luggage, added tags for the hold, and off we boarded. 

Other airlines may also allow you to take your mobility scooter straight to the plane. We recommend double-checking your chosen airline’s mobility policy to find the best option for your needs. 

What happens to your mobility scooter when you land?

Thankfully, there was no trouble collecting our Carbon scooter. As soon as we stepped out, we were told to take a seat nearby, and they literally brought it to us.   
 
Nothing else was needed to do, so we could start our South African adventure carefree. 

5 reasons to take your scooter on holiday

Travelling to the airport with a scooter is a piece of cake. But why bring it with you on holiday in the first place? 

Here are our top reasons as to why a Humfree scooter is your ultimate travel companion: 

1. Greater independence

Planning a holiday with someone who loves relaxing on the beach, but you fancy a bit more action? Or maybe you’re craving a little me-time in the sun? Solo adventures are only a ride away with a Humfree scooter. There’s no need to rely on anyone to get around, so you can explore how you want, when you want. 

2. Keep energy levels up

Finally, you can tick everything off your ‘to-see’ list. Reducing fatigue from walking or standing, a mobility scooter allows you to do more of what you love for longer. Plus, our ultra-padded seats give you some well-deserved rest after exploring landmarks or hitting the shops. 

3. Move around safely

It’s natural that balance can get more difficult as we age. But when riding with your Humfree, you won’t be held back by tricky terrain. Our travel-friendly scooters also come with solid puncture-proof tyres and an electromagnetic autobrake to help you feel in control wherever you are. 

4. Reduced costs

Why max out the holiday budget on overpriced taxis? Bringing a mobility scooter on holiday means more freedom – both independence-wise and financially. Remove the unnecessary stress around booking transport and travel on your own terms. Save the cash for the souvenirs instead.  

5. Increased enjoyment 

A scooter is more than just wheels. That’s why with Humfree’s lightweight, easy-to-lift, portable models, the possibility of travelling further, staying longer, and exploring more becomes a reality.  

Final thoughts about travelling abroad with a mobility scooter

If you’ve ever umm-ed and ahhh-ed about taking your mobility scooter on a plane, we hope you’ve been convinced otherwise. 

As the Humfree team proved, bringing a travel scooter with you to the airport (and to your chosen destination) is deceptively easy. Flying with airlines such as Virgin Atlantic, which are incredibly accommodating at every step of the way, there’s really no need to be nervous or anxious when travelling with your scooter.  

Now, let’s get those holiday plans rolling.