How to Fly With an Elderly Companion

Airlines lure the senior market with discounts and other perks for older travelers and, sometimes, their companions. If you're the person going along, here are a few pointers to make the flight easier.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Luggage Sets
• Warm Jackets
• Healthy Foods
• High-energy Snacks
• Travel Services

1. Urge your companion to get a pre-trip checkup and listen to the doctor's advice about restrictions or obstacles.

2. Make arrangements early to have the widest choice of flight times and seat choices.

3. Look into airlines' programs for seniors; special fares might save you both money.

4. Compare other fares. Some general prices beat seniors' fares, especially when price wars erupt among airlines.

5. Travel first-class or reserve a seat in the bulkhead - that's the first row of coach-class seats - if you or your senior companion use a wheelchair or have other mobility restrictions. Aisle seats are easiest to access.

6. Tell your reservation agent or travel agent if any member of your party uses a wheelchair. At the check-in desk, repeat the information to the desk agent or skycap.

7. Let the reservation agent or travel agent know about diet restrictions.

8. Bring along a jacket. Older people are apt to feel cold more easily than younger people.

9. Carry at least a two-day supply of medicines on board, not in checked luggage. If checked luggage goes astray, a stopgap supply is necessary.

10. Carry a written list of prescriptions and know how to get a refill quickly at your destination in case it's needed.

11. Move around during the flight. Prolonged sitting isn't healthy, especially for older people.

12. Pack a sandwich. The light snacks that most airlines now serve in coach could dismay anyone who hasn't flown in a long time.

13. Prepare to party if you're among some senior crowds. Despite stereotypes, lively gray-haired groups are more carefree than a lot of younger travelers who have to fret about kids, deadlines and business commitments.

Tips & Warnings

• With a little notice, check-in agents and skycaps can often have ready an "aisle chair," a narrow wheelchair built to fit down airplane aisles. At the check-in gate, a passenger will transfer from his or her own wheelchair to the aisle chair, which is used in boarding the plane. The passenger's own wheelchair travels as checked baggage.

• On request about 48 hours ahead, almost all airlines will substitute a regular meal for something special - low-salt, low-fat, vegetarian and kosher are common requests - at no extra charge.

• Consider carefully the books of coupons that some airlines sell to seniors at a flat, per-coupon rate. Each coupon usually equals one coach-fare domestic flight, regardless of distance. On inexpensive flights, the coupons are rarely a bargain, but they can be the cheapest, easiest way to fly cross-country.