In this article, we have reviewed the best power wheelchair for air travel. If you are in a hurry, the table below gives a quick snapshot of the top ones.
Are you an avid air traveler? Each year about over a billion people in America travel by air domestically or internationally[1].
However, one of the most common problems faced by these air travelers with mobility issues is that they cannot carry their wheelchair in planes.
If you are too are looking for the right wheelchair for air travel, there is a simple solution: use a power wheelchair with no lithium-ion batteries.
Lithium-ion batteries are a fire hazard that can catch fire with an increase in pressure. Air authorities do not permit you to travel with wheelchairs that use these batteries.
You also need a wheelchair whose size and dimensions have been approved by the FAA.
In the article below, we will discuss the best power wheelchair for air travel that is available in the market. Take a look!
Our Top Choice – Innuovo Power Wheelchair
The Intelligent Folding Electric... is our top choice for Best Power Wheelchair For Air Travel, because:
- Air travel safe 288 WH battery.
- A durable frame and high maximum load capacity of 330 pounds.
- Foldable and easy to travel with.
- Simple control and operation.
- Cushioned seat with extra-wide tires.
Best Power Wheelchair For Air Travel
#1 Innuovo Power Wheelchair
This Innuovo power wheelchair is one of the best power wheelchairs for air travel as this wheelchair has a safe battery. The battery in this wheelchair is deemed to be safe for air travel.
The power output for this wheelchair is a 288 WH battery. You can also charge this battery separately by detaching it from the wheelchair.
Features and Benefits
- Easy To Travel With: This power wheelchair is foldable. The unfolded dimensions of this wheelchair are 33x 38 x 26 inches, and its folded dimensions are 14×28×30 inches. You can travel in this wheelchair as it is compact. It also has a high maximum load capacity of 330 pounds.
- Simple To Operate: You can climb up slopes up to a maximum angle of 12 degrees. You can operate this power wheelchair by using the 360-degree joystick controller. This controller has subtle movements due to which you will not have to strain yourself while controlling this wheelchair.
- Excellent Stability And Control: The extra-wide 12 inches rear tires on this wheelchair enhance the stability of this wheelchair over all types of terrain. You also get an extra soft and deeply cushioned seat in this wheelchair. This seat will prevent seat depression and soreness of muscles due to constant sitting.
- Safe Design: This wheelchair is built to be extremely safe. It has an anti-leaning rear design that protects the wheelchair from losing balance. You also get an electromagnetic braking system in this wheelchair. You will be able to stop or brake at shorter distances due to this feature.
Why should you buy it?
You should buy this power wheelchair if you are a frequent traveler. This wheelchair is built from an aluminum steel frame. The weight of this wheelchair is 59 pounds. You wouldn’t have to pay extra money for traveling in a wheelchair.
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#2 Porto Mobility Wheelchair
This Porto mobility power wheelchair is an excellent travel companion. You can travel with this wheelchair as it is very compact and folds easily. You can fold this wheelchair in just two seconds, and it does not require any disassembling. You just have to release the lock and press the chair to collapse it.
Features and Benefits
- Powerful: This power wheelchair uses dual power brushless motors. Each motor has a power output of 250 watts. You will get sufficient power with these motors to climb inclines and move at a faster speed. The battery of this wheelchair is safe for air traveling.
- Smooth Riding: You can move this wheelchair in tight spaces as it has a short turning radius of 33 inches. The wide 12.5 inches rear and front tires are suitable for driving on all types of terrain. You can move with this wheelchair on grass, cement, gravel, dirt, and so on.
- Ergonomic: The massive shock absorbers will relieve stress and strain as they would absorb all the impact of acting on your body. The front casters and forks on this wheelchair are built to withstand heavy pact and bear heavy loads. Due to this feature, this wheelchair has a high load capacity of 350 pounds.
- Durable And Tough: You will be able to cover long distances up to 16 per charge on this wheelchair. Its maximum speed is 5 miles per hour as moving faster on a wheelchair cannot be very safe.
Why should you buy it?
You should buy this power wheelchair if you suffer from neck pain, cervical, or back-related issues. This wheelchair includes high-quality shock absorbers, and these shock absorbers absorb all the extra impact caused on your body while moving on irregular terrain.
#3 Beyour Walker Electric Wheelchair
The Beyour electric power wheelchair is a two in one electric device. This wheelchair can run manually as well as through its electric battery. You wouldn’t find this wheelchair useless when it is not charged, and you can ask someone to manually operate this wheelchair.
Features and Benefits
- Battery: This wheelchair has a super lithium-ion battery with an output of 6 AH. Although this battery is lithium-ion, it is still safe for air travel as this battery is not below the banned battery power limit. You can cover a distance of about 9.5 miles with this wheelchair on a single charge.
- Comfortable: The dual 250 watts brushless motors attached to this power wheelchair supply make it a faster traveling chair. Due to this extra power, this wheelchair can also climb up slopes and has a high load-bearing capacity of 260 pounds.
- Lightweight: The frame of this wheelchair is made from high-quality aluminum alloy. The overall weight of this wheelchair is just 41 pounds. Its frame can easily collapse and fold, and you can use this feature to store or carry this wheelchair while traveling.
- Ergonomic: This wheelchair has two front wheels six inches wide and two rear wheels that are eight inches wide. The wider rear wheels massively improve the stability and balance of the wheelchair. You will get a smooth wheelchair ride without any bumps due to these wheels.
Why should you buy it?
It also has an adjustable handlebar that helps people with different heights to use this wheelchair. This handlebar can move up or down by 2.5 inches, and if you have a tall height, you must buy this wheelchair.
You might like to read: Best Manual Wheelchair For Elderly
#4 Rubicon Power Wheelchair
This Rubicon Power wheelchair is one of the best power wheelchairs for air travel as its battery is deemed safe for air travel. Although this wheelchair uses a lithium-ion battery, this battery’s intensity and power are way less than the dangerous limit that is not allowed on air flights. You will be able to charge this battery in a quick interval of six to eight hours.
Features and Benefits
- Comfortable: This wheelchair operates smoothly on all types of surfaces. You will get two eight inches wide front wheels along with two 12.5 inches wide rear wheels in this wheelchair. The wheels are built to last and sustain high wear and tear as they are built from superior PU material.
- Ergonomic: This wheelchair can cover up a distance of 18 miles on a single charge. You can even use this electric wheelchair to climb up steep slopes and terrain with a maximum degree of inclination up to 25 degrees. If you live in hilly areas, then you will benefit a lot from this feature.
- Powerful: The dual capacity brushless DC electric motors installed on this wheelchair provides it with a sufficient amount of power to cover large distances at a faster speed. The power output for each of these motors is 250 watts.
- Convenient: This power wheelchair also has a short turning radius of 33 inches that will allow you to maneuver through tight corners and spaces. You can travel with this wheelchair as it has a foldable frame.
Why should you buy it?
You should buy this power wheelchair if you are overweight or obese as this wheelchair can bear a high capacity of load up to 330 pounds. This wheelchair has a high load capacity due to its sturdy and durable aluminum alloy frame.
#5 Majestic Power Wheelchair
This majestic power wheelchair is made of aircraft-quality carbon steel alloy, and you will get maximum durability and rigidity in this wheelchair due to its solid built. The weight of this power wheelchair is light at 49 pounds. Regardless of your age or strength, you can easily carry and transport this wheelchair while traveling.
Features and Benefits
- Battery: This wheelchair has a 12 AH lithium-ion battery that is safe for traveling on an airplane. This battery falls under the permissible range of batteries that are allowed to travel on an air flight.
- Portable: This wheelchair can fold under three seconds. It has a collapsible folding design that quickly folds this wheelchair. Unlike other traditional wheelchairs, you will not spend a lot of time assembling and disassembling this wheelchair.
- Strong: This wheelchair can withstand a high load capacity of up to 300 pounds. You can also climb over steep inclines and terrain with a degree of inclination less than or equal to six degrees.
- Smooth: You will get two solid front wheels eight inches wide along with two inflatable rear wheels that are 12 inches wide. Together these wheels will provide you with a comfortable and smooth riding experience.
Why should you buy it?
You should buy this power wheelchair as it is pretty lightweight and portable. If you are an older person, even then, you would not face many difficulties to lift and carry this power wheelchair.
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Buyer’s Guide: Best Power Wheelchair For Air Travel
Battery Type
One of the essential criteria that your power wheelchair must have to be suitable for traveling via air is to have a safe battery.
As explained earlier, airlines consider lithium-ion batteries as a safety hazard, and will not allow them as luggage.
Due to the safety concerns for the people traveling, the aircraft authorities have banned these batteries on passenger air flights.
Therefore, you need to check your battery type beforehand.
FAA approved size
The power wheelchair should follow a design, whose folded dimensions are as approved by the FAA for luggage.
For a larger size, you might not be able to carry the wheelchair at all or else would end up paying extra.
Secondly, you don’t want to have to lug around a heavy wheelchair during boarding or de-planing.
Lightweight And Durable
An ideal power wheelchair for traveling should also have a lightweight design. Many airline companies charge you an extra amount of money for your luggage.
You can effectively save money if your wheelchair is in the range of 29-34 pounds.
Durable
A traveling power wheelchair should also have a durable and sturdy built. It should be able to sustain a higher degree of wear and tear while in the cargo section.
Power wheelchairs with a steel or aluminum frame can hold higher load capacities and are considered to be the sturdiest.
Frequently Asked Questions: Best Power Wheelchair For Air Travel
Can you fly in a power wheelchair?
No, you cannot fly with a power wheelchair in the passenger cabin of an air flight. The US transport authorities have banned air travel with power wheelchairs.
You can carry your wheelchair as extra luggage, for which the airlines will charge you extra money.
Where do wheelchair users sit on a plane?
The airline authorities use special aisle chairs to transport immobile passengers from their wheelchair to the passenger’s seat.
The flight cabin crew assists these immobile passengers throughout the flight and takes care of all their needs. These aisle chairs are foldable and compact.
They are also often used for accessing the lavatory of the plane.
Why do we use a power wheelchair?
A power wheelchair is beneficial for users who are unable to operate a manual wheelchair. A person on a manual wheelchair depends on external help for pushing and moving the manual wheelchair.
A power wheelchair can be operated and controlled by an immobile person, and they don’t have to rely on external help.
Pushing a manual wheelchair can be very tiring for the other person, whereas there is no fatigue and tiredness involved when using a power wheelchair.
Conclusion
Power wheelchairs make traveling easy. These wheelchairs are easy to fold and are portable making it easier to carry and travel with.
In our opinion, the Intelligent Folding Electric... is the best choice among the various options that we have considered because it is built to be extremely safe.
It has an anti-leaning rear design that protects the wheelchair from losing balance.
The Porto Mobility 2021 Ranger D09S... is our next best choice because you can travel with this wheelchair as it is very compact and folds easily.
You can fold this wheelchair in just two seconds, and it does not require any disassembling.
If you are looking for a value for money option, you can also consider the BEYOUR WALKER Electric Wheelchair,... , which offers great value and features at a very reasonable price point.
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