For wheelchair users with complex mobility needs, flying is rarely simple. Unlike other passengers, many of us cannot remain in our own chairs on board an aircraft. Instead, we must transfer into an airline seat using specialised equipment and the help of multiple staff, while hoping our wheelchair, often the most essential piece of equipment we own, arrives safely at the other end.
For our recent trip from Auckland to Queenstown, travelling with Finlay meant moving not just a passenger, but an entire system of equipment: a powerchair, hoist, shower commode, handling sling, and specialised seating supports. It also meant careful planning, problem-solving, and a willingness from the airline to work alongside us.
What followed was a remarkable example of collaboration between family, airline staff, and accessibility professionals, all working together to make one flight possible.
Flying with Finlay has never been simple. When you travel with significant mobility equipment, hoists, and specialised seating, there are a lot of moving parts. Usually, we travel by road in our van, packed to the brim with everything we might need.
But this time we needed to fly to Queenstown to attend Nana Maude’s funeral in Cromwell, and the logistics of that decision weighed heavily on my mind.
Queenstown has very limited accessible transport. In fact, there’s only one accessible taxi (with a hoist) servicing the area, and it’s incredibly expensive to take it all the way to Cromwell. Then there’s accessible accommodation and simply getting around once you arrive.
I could feel the anxiety building. And if I’m anxious, Finlay feels it too, which can quickly become a whole other level of stress.
So I reached out to Air New Zealand.
Working With Air New Zealand
That email turned out to be the start of something quite remarkable.
We arranged to meet with Amanda from Air New Zealand, who was determined to make Finlay’s flight possible. Another staff member, Ed, joined the effort, and together they were committed to finding a workable solution.
Knowing how complex Finlay’s transfers can be, I also asked Sandy from Ability Adventures to join us. Sandy now runs Ability Adventures as an inbound tour operator, creating accessible travel experiences for visitors with a wide range of access needs coming to Aotearoa New Zealand. Before moving into the tourism space, she worked as an occupational therapist with Seating To Go, a wheelchair seating provider contracted by our health system to adapt supportive seating for wheelchair users.
With both her clinical handling background and her knowledge of accessible travel, I knew she would bring incredibly practical insight to the process.
A Dry Run at Auckland Airport
Soon we found ourselves at Auckland Airport, sitting down with the Air New Zealand ground team and Sandy to work through the logistics.
The goal was to test the equipment and see exactly how we could safely transfer Finlay onto the aircraft.
We trialled the Eagle Lift and an aisle chair, but it quickly became clear they weren’t going to work. The sling used in the Eagle Lift wasn’t supportive enough for Finlay, and the aisle chair didn’t tilt and wasn’t at the right height compared to his powerchair.
We were told there was a height-adjustable aisle chair in Christchurch, but unfortunately, it couldn’t be brought up to Auckland for us to trial.
So we needed another plan.
The best solution was to bring Finlay’s own powerchair right up to the aircraft door and transfer him from there using The Perfect Lift sling. We were incredibly fortunate that Mike and Aisling from Beachwheels New Zealand had loaned us the sling to trial for the flight. With two strong ground crews and Finlay’s brother, Lachie, helping, we felt confident we could manage the lift safely.
Keeping Finlay Safe During the Flight
The next challenge was how to keep Finlay safely positioned once he was seated.
A standard airline lap belt wouldn’t be enough to stop him sliding forward if he experienced extensor thrust. I showed the team Finlay’s Rifton pelvic strap, which we sometimes secure to seating using strong bungee-style cords.
The Rifton Pelvic strap can be seen here holding Finlay’s pelvis down. It’s a great piece of equipment to manage a pelvic extensor thrust.
Before we could use it, the strap needed to be approved by Air New Zealand’s safety team. Photos were taken of both the pelvic strap and The Perfect Lift sling and sent off for review.
After a bit of waiting, the decision came back.
We were cleared to fly.
The plan was that the ground crew would assist with the transfer using the sling, while Finlay would be supported in the seat using his pelvic harness alongside the standard Air New Zealand torso strap.
The logistics were sorted, but the nerves were still there. Would all the equipment make it safely onto the aircraft? Would the communication between staff flow properly through the system?
The Day of the Flight
On the day of our flight, Lachie and I began the big task of getting all of Finlay’s equipment from the van to check-in at Auckland Airport.
Lachie stayed with Finlay while I returned the van to the carpark. Then we slowly transported everything: powerchair, Molift hoist, shower commode, bags and all to special handling.
Thankfully, they were expecting us.
From that point on, the Air New Zealand team assisted us through the entire process.
All the equipment had to go onto the conveyor belt to be loaded into the aircraft hold. We carefully checked the batteries on the powerchair and Molift; both were dry-cell batteries, which are permitted for air travel.
Then everything had to be weighed.
The moment of truth came when we tried to fit the shower commode through the conveyor opening. It wasn’t a transit model, so we weren’t sure it would fit, but thankfully, it squeezed through on its side.
Boarding the Aircraft
When it came time to board, Finlay was already sitting on his handling sling, ready for the transfer.
Our assistant stayed with us through security and customs so we could board early. The airline also blocked the three seats behind Finlay so the pelvic strap setup wouldn’t interfere with another passenger.
We wheeled Finlay right to the aircraft door via the air bridge.
From there, the transfer began.
Strong ground crew and Lachie carefully lifted him using the sling while I positioned the pelvic strap ready to secure him. Jane clipped the torso harness behind the seat, and within moments, Finlay was safely seated.
It took several people working together in a tight space, and there were no photos; everyone’s hands were busy.
But we did it.
And in that moment, a huge weight lifted off my shoulders.
At the same time, the experience reinforced something I think about often: how much easier this would be if wheelchair users could remain in their own chairs during flights.
Landing in Queenstown
Queenstown Airport doesn’t have an air bridge, so passengers requiring assistance disembark via a scissor lift.
My biggest concern was whether Finlay’s powerchair would arrive safely.
Thankfully, it did.
Seeing it there waiting for him in perfect condition was an enormous relief. The only thing removed was the headrest.
A new team helped us transfer Finlay back into his chair using The Perfect Lift. The sling worked well because the handles allowed everyone to support him safely, and because Finlay felt secure, his muscle tone relaxed, which made the transfer much easier.
All we need now is a Changing Places bathroom at both Auckland and Queenstown airports, and we will be travelling in style!
On the Road Again
Once we had collected everything, we headed outside to find the adapted rental van organised by Freedom Mobility.
And there it was, waiting for us with a full tank of petrol.
What a relief.
We loaded all the equipment, settled Finlay into the van, and began the drive through to Cromwell to spend time with family and attend Nana Maude’s funeral.
Our visit was short but meaningful.
Before we knew it, we were heading back to the airport for the journey home.
A Nice Surprise on the Return Flight
Once again, the Air New Zealand team were ready for us and supported us throughout the process.
But this time they went one step further.
After landing in Auckland and once other passengers had disembarked, they brought Finlay’s powerchair directly onto the aircraft, which made the transfer back into his chair far easier than before.
Thank You
This journey took a lot of coordination and goodwill from many people.
A heartfelt thank you to:
- Amanda and Ed from Air New Zealand
- The incredible ground crews in Auckland and Queenstown
- Sandy from Ability Adventures
- Margaret and the team at Freedom Mobility
- Mike and Aisling from Beachwheels New Zealand for loaning us The Perfect Lift so we could trial it for the flight
You all played a part in making this journey possible, and we’re incredibly grateful.
Accessibility Snapshot
Air Travel with Complex Mobility Needs – What Helped
Pre-planning matters
Air New Zealand organised a pre-flight meeting at Auckland Airport so we could test the transfer equipment before the travel day.
Transfer equipment used
- Eagle Lift (trialled but not suitable for Finlay)
- Aisle chair (not height adjustable enough for his powerchair)
- The Perfect Lift sling (worked well for supported lifting)
- Air New Zealand torso harness
- Finlay’s Rifton pelvic strap for additional positioning support
Boarding
- Finlay remained in his powerchair until the aircraft door
- Ground crew and family assisted with the transfer
- Extra seats were blocked behind him to accommodate the pelvic strap
Equipment checked into the hold
- Powerchair
- Molift hoist
- Shower commode
- Multiple bags of support equipment
Batteries
Both the powerchair and Molift used dry-cell batteries, which are permitted for air travel.
Arrival in Queenstown
- Passengers requiring assistance disembark via a scissor lift
- Finlay’s powerchair arrived safely and was waiting for him
- Transfers were completed again using the Perfect Lift sling
On the return flight
The Air New Zealand team went one step further and brought Finlay’s powerchair directly onboard, making the transfer significantly easier.