I am a Brit who lives near London and has mobility impairments. Heathrow used to be very hit and miss for assistance and I have had my share of disasters there in the past. However, they have changed; they have been superb the last four times I have been through Heathrow, very similar to your description. In Terminal 5, there are larger buggies than you showed. If you are going between one of the Terminal 5B or 5C gates and the main part of Terminal 5, the entire buggy goes in an elevator down to the underground tunnels. There are three IATA Special Service Codes for wheelchair assistance. WCHR - wheelchair assistance, can tackle stairs to the plane. WCHS - wheelchair assistance, cannot tackle stairs to the plane. WCHC - wheelchair assistance, cannot tackle stairs to the plane and requires the use of the aisle wheelchair to take you to your seat on board. If you can walk onto the plane, my recommendation is to consider declaring WCHS when booking your ticket; that way, you will be taken to the plane in a special lifting vehicle if the plane is on a remote stand rather than an airbridge. Struggling up the stairs at a remote stand whilst carrying your hand luggage is quite challenging. It is important to declare the need for wheelchair assistance to the airline at least 48 hours before your flight, as it can take time to arrange assistance. I hope you enjoy the UK.
Wow, so glad I found your video. Going to London in 2024. We are 63. Husband is an amputee and has difficulty walking long distances. Knowing about that little cart it so perfect for us.
Thanks for the information! My wife had hip surgery so I added the wheelchair assistance for her for our upcoming trip to London. This is definitely helpful. Thanks!
Your info regarding special assistance was much appreciated. I am 70 and have issues with my back and we have a trip to London next year, and I have been dreading having to find our way through heathrow. Ive watched a lot of videos and seen how long the walk is to get out of the airport and then try to work out the best way to get into london. So your video was a blessing and we will take your advice and ask for help. Thanks for sharing!
Bruce, you just described my husband & I to a T. I am 73, already had both hips replaced but have lung issues so we have always requested wheelchairs. My husband takes good care of me, he is 68. We will be heading to London in September & we hope to follow your suggestions. Question, I bot a cane with the fold out seat on it, has your wife ever tried one just to rest for a moment? Trying to see if it is worth dragging with me or stick with just a cane. ( darn thing can hold over 400lbs😳). So glad my husband found you. We live in AZ.
I am repeating a trip to UK/Europe when I was 22. I think you re right. When I was 22 I would take the tube into London. I did not have that much luggage. I was was traveling as cheaply as I could. I certainly had no idea where I was going. For this trip I kept changing my mind between the Express and the Tube. with a bit more luggage now and and I can't walk as far I am not as broke as I was at 22, I think I will just to go ahead and take a taxi. I am just not 22 anymore. If I was I would take the tube. .
If you arrive at Heathrow and are able bodied I would suggest using the elizabeth line train instead of the tube or Heathrow express. Its only £7 and only takes 10 more minutes longer to get to paddington than Heathrow express which in my view is very overpriced
Great stuff Bruce, lots of wonderful tips there. 10 days & I arrive at Terminal 3. Will enjoy the 10 min walk to T2…hope it’s not as busy as in your photos! How did you catch a cold/cough, with all that masking up??
Thanks for the information. I am healing from surgery where walking longer distances and standing for a time is currently difficult. It is good to know that in case at the time of my trip what type of assistance is available if I am not at 100%.
Hi Wes, Yes it is free to use this service. Just tell the folks at the check in counter when you start your trip. They should also notify the return folks as well. It is the best way to go for sure.
@@TravellingwithBruce thanks, could not make members show tonight, thanks for putting my wife at ease, We will fly into terminal 5, looking forward to next weeks show.
Hi Bruce. The airport in Buffalo New York airport has the same similar golf cart transporter to shuttle people from or to the gate. We have flown out of there several times, a pleasure of an airport. This year we flew out of and return to Toronto YYZ, friggin nightmare! Wife with a cane and me walking with a blind mans cane for what seemed like miles then put up with the baloney of a random covid test! Enjoy the trip🍻
Wow, there is truly a video for everything on RUclips! What a helpful video. It’s nice to know you were treated well at Heathrow. We don’t have any mobility issues, but I have been planning our London trip since before you-know-what and I suspect that’s why your video popped up in my recommendations. Finally travel restrictions have eased up a bit, but now we have the war in Ukraine. Since you are there now, have you noticed any issues due to that? My husband is more concerned about traveling to Europe now with that going on than I am. We were planning on visiting London for about a week and then taking the train to Paris for another week and then to Disneyland for a couple of days. I would appreciate your thoughts on that. PS - We also plan on staying near the Tower and the Borough Market. One of our activities planned was to walk there and the surrounding area. Your video made me more excited to go!
Thank you for this information. What kind of documentation do I need to provide the airline about my health to qualify for the assistance and golf cart in Heathrow?
Thank you for the wonderful information Bruce. We are five travelers; two have requested special assistance. When we get to Heathrow will the other three be allowed to ride with the two that need special assistance?
Bruce :-). Hello there :-). You're in England now? How nice :-D :-D :-). I really hope I can meet up with you since you're going to be in England for 2 months :-). I'm sorry to hear about Jennifer's hip issues but will you still be able to travel parts of England via transport at all despite not going to walk a lot? I think you two would really like Brighton aswell as Greater London Bruce I most certainly think you and Jennifer will love both Brighton and London I certainly do :-). I so hope I can meet up with you two if you two are ok with it? :-). Best wishes Bruce :-D :-D :-). From your friend Foxy in Brighton, East Sussex, England, UK :-D :-D :-).
I am a Brit who lives near London and has mobility impairments. Heathrow used to be very hit and miss for assistance and I have had my share of disasters there in the past. However, they have changed; they have been superb the last four times I have been through Heathrow, very similar to your description.
In Terminal 5, there are larger buggies than you showed. If you are going between one of the Terminal 5B or 5C gates and the main part of Terminal 5, the entire buggy goes in an elevator down to the underground tunnels.
There are three IATA Special Service Codes for wheelchair assistance. WCHR - wheelchair assistance, can tackle stairs to the plane. WCHS - wheelchair assistance, cannot tackle stairs to the plane. WCHC - wheelchair assistance, cannot tackle stairs to the plane and requires the use of the aisle wheelchair to take you to your seat on board. If you can walk onto the plane, my recommendation is to consider declaring WCHS when booking your ticket; that way, you will be taken to the plane in a special lifting vehicle if the plane is on a remote stand rather than an airbridge. Struggling up the stairs at a remote stand whilst carrying your hand luggage is quite challenging.
It is important to declare the need for wheelchair assistance to the airline at least 48 hours before your flight, as it can take time to arrange assistance.
I hope you enjoy the UK.
Wow, so glad I found your video. Going to London in 2024. We are 63. Husband is an amputee and has difficulty walking long distances. Knowing about that little cart it so perfect for us.
Thanks for the information! My wife had hip surgery so I added the wheelchair assistance for her for our upcoming trip to London. This is definitely helpful. Thanks!
At the port of Barcelona, the cabs are all lined up and there is someone to co-ordinate the loading. very efficient
Your info regarding special assistance was much appreciated. I am 70 and have issues with my back and we have a trip to London next year, and I have been dreading having to find our way through heathrow. Ive watched a lot of videos and seen how long the walk is to get out of the airport and then try to work out the best way to get into london. So your video was a blessing and we will take your advice and ask for help. Thanks for sharing!
Bruce, you just described my husband & I to a T. I am 73, already had both hips replaced but have lung issues so we have always requested wheelchairs. My husband takes good care of me, he is 68. We will be heading to London in September & we hope to follow your suggestions. Question, I bot a cane with the fold out seat on it, has your wife ever tried one just to rest for a moment? Trying to see if it is worth dragging with me or stick with just a cane. ( darn thing can hold over 400lbs😳). So glad my husband found you. We live in AZ.
I am repeating a trip to UK/Europe when I was 22. I think you re right. When I was 22 I would take the tube into London. I did not have that much luggage. I was was traveling as cheaply as I could. I certainly had no idea where I was going. For this trip I kept changing my mind between the Express and the Tube. with a bit more luggage now and and I can't walk as far I am not as broke as I was at 22, I think I will just to go ahead and take a taxi. I am just not 22 anymore. If I was I would take the tube. .
Very nice intro to your trip. We're two weeks behind you.
If you arrive at Heathrow and are able bodied I would suggest using the elizabeth line train instead of the tube or Heathrow express. Its only £7 and only takes 10 more minutes longer to get to paddington than Heathrow express which in my view is very overpriced
Great stuff Bruce, lots of wonderful tips there.
10 days & I arrive at Terminal 3. Will enjoy the 10 min walk to T2…hope it’s not as busy as in your photos!
How did you catch a cold/cough, with all that masking up??
Thanks for the information. I am healing from surgery where walking longer distances and standing for a time is currently difficult. It is good to know that in case at the time of my trip what type of assistance is available if I am not at 100%.
Great video I love listening to your story’s. I run a manual lathe and listen to you while I work
#11 👍🏼…glad you made it safe and sound to London 😊
Thank you for the information! Enjoy London!
Wow that’s cool. My brother’s and I are going to London England in August.
Bruce my wife Libby uses a walker, and was so glad to hear how easy it was. We are flying British Air, will they offer this service free of choice?
Hi Wes, Yes it is free to use this service. Just tell the folks at the check in counter when you start your trip. They should also notify the return folks as well. It is the best way to go for sure.
@@TravellingwithBruce thanks, could not make members show tonight, thanks for putting my wife at ease, We will fly into terminal 5, looking forward to next weeks show.
Have had a similar experience with Heathrow , best airport in my honest opinion worldwide.
Do you have london videos? I couldn't locate any. My wife has some mobility issues and I would like that perceptive
Hi Bruce. The airport in Buffalo New York airport has the same similar golf cart transporter to shuttle people from or to the gate. We have flown out of there several times, a pleasure of an airport. This year we flew out of and return to Toronto YYZ, friggin nightmare! Wife with a cane and me walking with a blind mans cane for what seemed like miles then put up with the baloney of a random covid test! Enjoy the trip🍻
Thanks for this video. It was very helpful. I use crutches and am flying to Heathrow. This video put my mind at ease
Wow, there is truly a video for everything on RUclips! What a helpful video. It’s nice to know you were treated well at Heathrow. We don’t have any mobility issues, but I have been planning our London trip since before you-know-what and I suspect that’s why your video popped up in my recommendations. Finally travel restrictions have eased up a bit, but now we have the war in Ukraine. Since you are there now, have you noticed any issues due to that? My husband is more concerned about traveling to Europe now with that going on than I am. We were planning on visiting London for about a week and then taking the train to Paris for another week and then to Disneyland for a couple of days. I would appreciate your thoughts on that.
PS - We also plan on staying near the Tower and the Borough Market. One of our activities planned was to walk there and the surrounding area. Your video made me more excited to go!
Yeaaa- Traveling With Bruce "IS TRAVELING!! Enjoy your travel adventures with Jennifer! 🌏✈️🚕 Sylvia
Thanks so informative! Can 5 plus luggage fit in assistance vehicles and black cabs?
Hi Paul, Yes I think they can accommodate you!
Thank you for this information. What kind of documentation do I need to provide the airline about my health to qualify for the assistance and golf cart in Heathrow?
No docs needed. Just let the agent at checkin know of your need for assistance and you are good to go.
You made some great points about the taxi ride. I think that I will take one when we go three weeks from now. :)
thanks for this great info!
Great video, can't wait for more.
Thank you for the wonderful information Bruce. We are five travelers; two have requested special assistance. When we get to Heathrow will the other three be allowed to ride with the two that need special assistance?
Hi Rosemary, My guess is yes.
How much did you tip the person at Heathrow?
Bruce :-). Hello there :-). You're in England now? How nice :-D :-D :-). I really hope I can meet up with you since you're going to be in England for 2 months :-). I'm sorry to hear about Jennifer's hip issues but will you still be able to travel parts of England via transport at all despite not going to walk a lot? I think you two would really like Brighton aswell as Greater London Bruce I most certainly think you and Jennifer will love both Brighton and London I certainly do :-). I so hope I can meet up with you two if you two are ok with it? :-). Best wishes Bruce :-D :-D :-).
From your friend Foxy in Brighton, East Sussex, England, UK :-D :-D :-).
Could anyone tell if the cab ride fare of 90# was total or for each person?
The cab ride was $90 in total.
Hey Bruce, Kirk from NYC here. Nice to see how your travels are going. Keep us updated on your travels and enjoy.
Woo hooo bruce i s in uk
2000 yards is more than a mile ( 1760 yards )
Self driving shuttle!
How long are you in London for perhaps we could meat up 😂😂😂😂😂❤️