New Design May Let Passengers Fly in Their Wheelchairs


The push to let wheelchair users stay in their wheelchairs while flying is gaining momentum. Last week, the global design firm PriestmanGoode unveiled designs for a seating system that allows airlines to convert traditional seats into spaces capable of safely securing a power wheelchair.

The system, called Air 4 All, includes an airline seat that quickly folds out of the way to reveal a track and locking mechanism similar to the docking system used to drive a van from a wheelchair. PriestmanGoode is a company that creates airline interiors for major players in the global aviation business, including Airbus, United and Lufthansa, among others. It designed the system in conjunction with the airline regulatory firm SWS Certification and the nonprofit Flying Disabled.

“Air 4 All is the first system that has been developed jointly by a design agency, a certification body and with input from the disabled community. With a leading global wheelchair manufacturer as well as the subsidiary of a major airline on board to develop the product, it’s a truly collaborative project,” said Chris Wood, the founder of Flying Disabled.

The system is currently designed for one type of plane — a narrow-body jet with two seats on either side of an aisle. It doesn’t address the issue of where a wheelchair user would sit in a larger plane with a first-class cabin. Still, PriestmanGoode is already considering the economics of its design in addition to the technical details.

“Air 4 All will usher in a step-change in the industry and finally offer equal access to comfort, safety and dignity for all passengers. The biggest barrier in the past has been that giving greater space to passengers in wheelchairs would have reduced seat count and resulted in a loss of revenue for airlines. Air 4 All solves this problem,” said Paul Priestman, the chairman of PriestmanGoode.

The group expects to debut a prototype of the Air 4 All system in December 2021. Check out the video below to see how the system works.


Support New Mobility

Wait! Before you wander off to other parts of the internet, please consider supporting New Mobility. For more than three decades, New Mobility has published groundbreaking content for active wheelchair users. We share practical advice from wheelchair users across the country, review life-changing technology and demand equity in healthcare, travel and all facets of life. But none of this is cheap, easy or profitable. Your support helps us give wheelchair users the resources to build a fulfilling life.

donate today

20 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Gerry Luponio
Gerry Luponio
2 years ago

its about time

Joseph Russo Jr
Joseph Russo Jr
2 years ago

Nice but how to you get passes the first step from the runway the the entrance on the plane?

Jeff
Jeff
2 years ago

I live in Houston TX. And we go through a tunnel to get on the plane and roll right onto the plane.

Mark S Partin, Esq
Mark S Partin, Esq
2 years ago

They already have portable ramps they use when the jetway doesn’t line up

Ronald Messier
2 years ago

How do we know if an airline has installed these on their planes?

Donna Doolittle
Donna Doolittle
2 years ago

Are the bathrooms set up for wheelchairs?

Carman
Carman
2 years ago

That’s a great question

Kirk Cunningham
Kirk Cunningham
2 years ago

Sorry, but this seems next to useless. I suspect most active travelers use rigid or folding chairs, not these power chairs. Back to the drawing boards, guys… And come up with something that is universally functional. You can do it if you put your mind to it.

Bill Crowley
Bill Crowley
2 years ago

Active traveler here, and I use a power chair. I also know many other travelers that use power chairs or people who would travel more if there was something like this available.

Mel
Mel
2 years ago

You have obviously never had to be transferred from a power chair to an airplane seat, had to check your power chair, have it damaged by the airline, and be without your chair for an extended period while it was repaired. No wonder power chair users can’t travel much by air! This innovati9n would be life changing for many people.

Arun Chopra
Arun Chopra
2 years ago

Sounds Awesome. what about the restrooms ?

Janet McAlister
Janet McAlister
2 years ago
Reply to  Arun Chopra

All these questions that have no real answers is why our “airline” of choice is Amtrak! Then there is still the issue of ground transportation!

Tom Tucker
Tom Tucker
2 years ago

I’d rather see you work on a safe, universal, shipping container for a power chair. The existing accommodations, while not great, are acceptable. But the biggest problem is a broken chair when you arrive at your destination.Fix that!

Mark & Kimberli
Mark & Kimberli
2 years ago

Wow! That seems like a game changer! It’s an AWESOME step forward. Sure, there’s always room for improvement, but this is exciting!!!

Vets Wife
Vets Wife
2 years ago

I would be willing to pay the price of 2 seats if I could take my Veteran husband on a trip.

Alex
Alex
2 years ago

Is this really going to happen? It’s super important to give it setup for power chairs because it would make life so much easier and more enjoyable! There are many of us in power chairs that wish we could fly to different places but because of the difficulty of being transferred in and out and getting your power chair smashed until they can be used, this would make such a huge difference! I would probably go flying at least twice a month if this was possible. How do we find out what airlines use them? Is there a way to compile a list of available airlines?
This is a great and exciting article thank you!

Carla F. Steinbuchel
Carla F. Steinbuchel
2 years ago

I loved to fly and have given it up after an injury a few years ago during an assisted transfer. Encouraging to see progress !

Lea McQuade
Lea McQuade
2 years ago

It’s unclear if accommodates the user tilting or reclining for stability, pressure changing and comfort for the journey

Andrew Curran
Andrew Curran
2 years ago

Looking good! I too have travelled to many places and find the transfers the most difficult. I’ve given up on the bathroom. The flaw I see from the photo is that it will be difficult to back the power wheelchair into the plane and then to try to parallel park it into the small space, both width and length. I’d be happy to help with dimensions or other considerations. It seems that the wheelchair access spot should not have any restrictive walls in front of it.

Alicia Rivera
Alicia Rivera
2 years ago

I’m very happy hear that because I have my son in Wheelchair and we want take vacation in other places ,Very Good news for me and my Son ,Thanks

Last edited 2 years ago by Alicia Rivera