Air Carrier Policies on Transport of Battery Powered Wheelchairs United States Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board December 1988 This brochure provides a quick reference of air carrier policies for the transport of battery powered wheelchairs. Included is a contact person, a citation for the carrier's policy, a description of the policy and a list of aircraft types flown by each air carrier. U.S. ATBCB has prepared a separate brochure describing the government guidelines, known as 49 CFR 171 et. seg., for the packing and labeling of wheelchair batteries. All airlines should follow these minimum procedures. Widebody aircraft are able to load and stow battery powered wheelchairs in an upright position, however, only some narrow body aircraft can load and stow upright. The following chart lists the most commonly used aircraft and indicates which are widebody. Widebody Airbus A300, A310, A330, A340 Boeing B-747,B-767 Lockeed L-1011 McDonald Douglas DC-10 Narrowbody Airbus A320 Bac 1-11 Bae 146 Boeing B-707, B-720,B-727,B-737,B-757 Convair 580 Dehavilland DHC-7,DHC-8 F28 F100 Mcdonald Douglas DC-8,DC-9,MD-80 Shorts S330 Air Canada Contact Person: Thomas Illing (514) 879-7925 Citation: PUB 343 Chap 6 pages 9-16 Policy: All types accepted at no charge Must check in 1 hour prior to flight Must be packed in special Battery Kit designed and supplied by company Aircraft: Aloha Contact Person: Patty Yoshino (808)836-4993 Citation: Wheelchair Section in Computer Reservation System Policy: Can accept all types Must be leak proof container with absorbent material Must be labeled "This Side Up" Aircraft: B-737,DC-9,MD-80 American Airlines Contact Person: Medical Acceptance Coordinator (800) 433-7300 or Public Relations (817) 355-1575 Citation: In computer Reservation System Policy: Max height on narrow body aircraft-36" Must be disconnected and terminals covered with non-conducting tape wet cell or spillable need not be drained but must be capped. Must check in 1 hour prior to departure Aircraft: B-747, B-757, B-767, B-727, B-737, MD-80, DC-10, A300,BAE146 Feeder Partners: American Eagle may not accept due to size of aircraft Braniff Contact Person: General information (800) BRANIFF or Walt Young (214) 929-1246 Citation: No specific policy other than FAA regulations Policy: Handled on a case by case basis Give as much notice as possible Aircraft: B-727, B-737, BAC 1-11 Feeder Partners: Braniff Express may not accept due to size of aircraft. Contintental Contact Person: Sylvia Crofton (713) 987-6630 Citation: Customer Service Bulletin 87-03 March 19, 1987 Policy: Accepted at no extra charge as cargo. Must be primary means of mobility All types of chairs - wet or dry give 24 hours notice and check in 45 minutes ahead of departure At ticket counter Contintental will perform for passenger: Battery will be detached and placed in Contintental Container available for $9.50 package part CS139 Caps removed and replaced with non-spillable type part CS144 or CS 145 Zip lock bag sealed around battery Clearly Mark Aircraft:B-747,B-737,B-727,DC-9,DC-10,MD-80,A300 Feeder Partners: Continental Express may not accept due to size of aircraft Delta Contact Person: Joe Koda (404)765-2463 Citation: In the computer reservation system Policy: Dry battery accepted without restriction Wet battery (spillable and non-spillable are accepted with restrictions Coordinate in advance with reservations Deactivate cables Load separately, battery is removed and packed in a leak proof container with enough absorbent material to completely absorb any spillage Clear Label Aircraft: B-767, B-757, B-727, B-737, L-1011, DC-8,DC-9,DC-10, MD80 Feeder Partners: Delta Connection may not accept due to size of aircraft Northwest Contact Person: Martin Thor (612)726-3970 Citation: Wheelchair in Computer Reservation System Policy: Notify when making reservation Wet cell not accepted on narrow body Only one battery powered chair per wide body Aircraft:B-747,B-757,B-727,A320,A330,A340,DC9,DC10,MD80, Convair 580 Feeder Partner: Northwest Airlink may not accept due to size of aircraft Pan American Contact Person: Mitsie Liecht (212) 880-1215 Citation: Passenger Service Manual Bulletin 602 Pages 3 & 4 Restricted and Irregular Baggage Acceptance and Handling Policy: All types of batteries are accepted Dry or Non-spillable are accepted attached to the chair, with the terminal disconnected and capped. Wet cell batteries carried in cargo compartments that can accommodate the upright loading and storage are required to be attached to the chair, and deactivated Wet cell batteries carried in cargo compartments that cannot accommodate upright loading or storage are required to removed from the chair and packed in a container approximately 11 1/2" wide, 14 1/2" long, 11" high; "This Side Up", and "Wet Battery for Wheelchair" Marked on the box; and absorbent material sufficient to absorb the total liquid contents Aircraft: B-747,B737,B727,A300,A310,A320 Feeder Partners: Pan Express may not be able to accept due to size of aircraft Southwest Airlines Contact Person: Bob McNeil (214) 902-1270 Citation: Customer Service Manual Sec 1 Page 14 Para 1.80.00 Policy: Transported free of charge dry or non-spillable Must have cables disconnected and terminals insulated Cannot load and stow upright on Boeing 737 Aircraft Aircraft: B-737 TransWorld Airlines Contact Person: Citation: Wheelchairs in Reservation Manual Policy: Must give advance notice Check in 1 hour prior to departure Wet cell not accepted on narrow body Must be deactivated Feeder Partners: TWA express may not be able to accept due to size of aircraft United Airlines Contact Person: Diane Sena (312) 952-6796 Citation: Baggage Manual Resolution 65 page 48 - 50 Policy: Regardless of type (dry, non-spillable, or wet cell) must remain attached to the chair; battery cables must be disconnected from the battery terminal; terminals must be taped Aircraft: B-747,B-757,B-767,B-727,B-737,DC-8,DC-10,L-1011 Feeder Partners: United Express may not be able to accept due to the size of the aircraft USAir Contact Person: L.W. Donahue (703)892-7518 Citation: Passenger Service Manual 4-11-1 Policy: All types are accepted at no charge Passengers are responsible for packing and labeling On Boeing 737-2000 and 727-200 air craft Non-spillable and dry batteries may be attached to wheelchair with the terminals protected against short circuits. Or battery power pack, storage tray, and steering control may be detached,securely boxed, and marked "Fragile- This Side Up" with the wheelchair collapsed and loaded in a flat position. Spillable batteries must be presented in a container, protected against short circuits, placed upright, and surrounded by absorbent material. Outside container must be marked "This Side Up","Battery, Wet with Wheelchair" and have a "Corrosive" label Aircraft:B-7237,B737,B-767,DC-9,MD-80,BAE-146,BAC1-11,F28, F-100 Feeder Partners: USAir Commuter/Allegheny Commuter/Piedmont Regional may not accept due to size of aircraft NOTE: Names of contact persons have been provided where a specific individual has been assigned responsibility rather than the department. Since personnel changes occur frequently, the responsibilities may have been assigned to another person; if the specific individual is no longer present, ask for the person responsible for policies dealing with disabled passengers. .TCEL. .