Asiana Airlines wheelchair nightmare Tokyo - South Korea
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- Опубликовано: 7 сен 2024
- My flight from Tokyo to South Korea with Asiana Airlines was a nightmare. I spent almost two and a half hours at the check-in counter, convinced I wouldn't be able to fly. I even looked into boats to Korea, which would have involved three trains and an extra night's accommodation.
Crazy as it sounds, this is still the reality for people with disabilities travelling. But this post has some good news-I ACTUALLY GOT TO FLY. Many people who can't advocate for themselves would be left stranded at the airport with no help or support. The video is long and painful to watch, but I thought it would be good to share to give insight into what it can be like for people with disabilities flying, in the hope that things can one day get better.
I did all my research and had all my required documentation with me. The batteries are safe for travel and internationally approved to take on all airlines in the world. I've flown on many planes with no issues, so this is clearly an issue with some airlines, like Asiana Airlines. These batteries aren't for toys or computers; they belong to mobility devices that help people with disabilities live independent lives.
What needs to change to make travel better and easier for people with disabilities? If you have experience flying with a disability or ideas on how airlines can improve, please share in the comments.
Did you check their website before you booked? On Asiana website, it says the battery’s must be able to be removed and the total allowance must be 300Wh which is allowed inside the cabin. Lithium is more restrictive than other battery types like nimh which have no restrictions inside the cabin. The ground team was quite nice with you, they didn’t scream or shout or call you names. They wanted to make sure it was going to be a safe flight because lithium batteries are considered a dangerous good.
Yup. Airline was informed and wheelchair users can take one spare battery. It even says this on their own website. But thanks for your comments.
i think this person kind of being a racist. he looks very angry and keeps talking in English. Sir, English is not Japan or Korea’s native language, you need to use translator(google whatever).it seems like he’s looking down on them.
The policies regarding lithium batteries on wheelchairs vary by the airlines.
Virgin Australia has an exceptionally generous rule, and it's not universal.
Asiana and ANA share the same rule. Even at the check-in counter, ANA and Asiana staffs work together. The ladies in bright shirts work for ANA, and the other lady in brown jacket work for Asiana.
Both ANA and Asiana allow either 2 batteries within 160Wh per each, or only one battery up to 300Wh that exceeds 160Wh.
Im really really happy that i found you on RUclips.. I can walk, but i use a manual wheelchair as well for long distances. I was always woried if i can visit japan. And then i found you and i saw its possible. Thank you for showing that its possible. I subscribed to your channel. Greetings from Germany.
Airline employee here though I am not part of this airline, batteries of all kinds are usually considered dangerous goods, that's why we recommend no electronic cigarettes and laptop should be in a carry-on and not checked in . With wheelchairs, they have stricter requirements whenever its a drycell or wetcell bettery. One that runs on lithium is more dangerous because of the its difficulty to put it out with a fire extinguisher, making it harder to put out in mid-air and therefore has weight and size limit requirements
I got NIMH batteries because the wheelchair supplier told me that for travel airlines don’t like lithium batteries. (They are heavier)
Asiana Airlines of South Korea has had crashes and fires in the past that also involved thium batteries.
So you have to understand that they are very cautious.
Just because other companies allow them does not mean they are safe. Lithium itself is very dangerous and is often specified very closely for carriage.
Why don't you consider nickel or nickel-cadmium batteries as a substitute?
I understand the feelings of people with disabilities, but you should also realize that you are trying to bring in something that is not originally allowed by the company due to a serious accident in the past.
This is not a problem because you are disabled, it is a problem for everyone.
I’d be happy to take a different battery but I’m stuck using the battery that comes with my motor.
Really enjoyed your Japan videos. what a fun person you are. I myself being an amputee on a prosthetic leg is going to Japan on vacation next month. So, I really felt your pain in the inconveniences that happened on your trip but yours was an incredible experience I hope. Peace brother
After hearing how it all turned out, I think I'd still like to know: do you think it will be best to avoid Asiana in the future, or is it worthwhile trying to find someone at a higher level in Asiana who can advise if there's a better process to follow in the future, to cut down on all the uncertainty at the check-in staff level?
I am so sorry this happened to you.
Just watched this and I felt it. I am not surprised this happened even though it shouldn't. I started watching aa ransport rights campaigner - Doug Paulley and it made me realize we all need to campaign for this, a while back I started a project to try and install Navilens around our city center I wanted our local council to get on-board however they were not up for it. We managed to get a few shops to display them in the window however a lot of shops didn't want to, we were even providing the sticker. It's annoying an airline will do this as now even if they are the cheapest option you/other might avoid it and go with a different airline e.g Virgin Australia/Qantas and that has extra cost that could hav been avoided. I'm glad you got it resolved and hope you enjoyed your trip to Japan/had a good flight home after
well, at least you made it after all the commotion.
Well y ou got there with the batteries so how the heck was it not okay to leave with them? So rediculous.
I know right. It’s good for the public to be aware of what it’s like for wheelies flying. Things need to change.
Probably different airline policies. Some of them aren’t written very clearly, either.