Self-transfer and full assisted transfer are categories airlines use to determine what equipment you will need and how much help to offer when you are boarding your flight. Specifically, these options relate to the transfer from your chair to the aisle chair and the aisle chair to your seat on board the aircraft.
SELF TRANSFER: If you can move your body weight on your own, with a sliding board or help from a companion, you will be met just outside the aircraft on the ramp with airport staff and aisle chair/Washington chair. Airline staff will help make the transfer to and from the Washington chair as easy as possible, but will expect you can shift your body weight from one seat to the other. Staff will help secure your legs and arms, and fasten safety belts across you to keep you stable.
An in-flight aisle wheelchair is available to assist you to use the onboard bathroom. These aisle chairs are smaller, foldable and less stable than the Washington Chair. This chair is operated by flight attendants, and many have no experience with operating it with an actual passenger. Keep calm, let them know what help you need. It’s useful to know that there is a fold-down footplate on all of these chairs that are often forgotten when they are deployed – don’t be afraid to mention it before you transfer to protect your feet while in use.
Watch these accessible travel video series episodes on transferring with assistance and transferring independently:
