Why don't the airlines provide more services for the handicapped?

When you booked your flight did you ask for special assistance? Many airlines have a dedicated telephone number to phone if you require such assistance, whilst others even make provision for special needs in the booking process.

If you have difficulty walking you can either get a wheelchair or "tractor/buggy" from check-in or after security which takes you right to the aircraft. If you are unable to climb steps you would get a vehicle attached with a lift to get you on board.

I'm sorry to hear that your last flight was a "nightmare" but the service is out there if you inform the airline of your needs.

Hi Ann,

It depends on the handicap and if falls under ADA (US) or DDA (UK). Reality is a very small number of the total passengers flying have a disability that require that airline to make special arrangements. This means for an airline the cost to provide more services to a limited population is not cost effective and it also means the fares would be higher. If you have a disability and the airline did not support it correctly then you need to contact the airline to let them know. Without letting the airline know that their service did not meet your expectations there is no way they can improve their service.

Handicaps are rare enough that it isn't cost-effective (or even affordable) to make extensive provisions for handicapped persons. The airlines do what they can, and they conform to regulations that require them to accommodate handicapped passengers, but they'll never roll out the red carpet, simply because there are too few handicapped passengers to justify it (and accommodation of handicapped passengers is very expensive in some cases, so the airlines may not even be able to afford it).

It's like asking why there is so little accommodation for people who are 7 feet tall, or people who weigh 1000 pounds. The emphasis is always on providing the best accommodation for the greatest number of passengers, and that means planning for average passengers, not exceptional passengers.

They provide services, but they don't assume you're handicap. Simply call them and tell them your situation.

Airports are generally filled with free electric carts (just remember to tip the driver). Gate agents will assit you into and out of your seat. Doesn't sound like you communicated this prior to your flight.

Is it "more services" you want, or better service?

It's hard to respond meaningfully without knowing what you needed and didn't get, whether you had asked for it in advance, etc.

What kind of handicap?