The Travelling Para

Taking your first flight after a spinal injury can feel overwhelming. For many of us, flying isn’t just about getting from A to B anymore, it’s about trust. Trusting airlines, trusting equipment, and trusting that your independence will be respected.

If you’re feeling nervous, anxious, or even questioning whether you should fly again at all, you’re not alone. I felt the same way, but with my kids living in another country, I wasn’t going to let it beat me.

This post isn’t here to sugar-coat the experience, but it is here to be honest, practical, and reassuring. I want you to know what actually happens, what caught me off guard, and what I’ve learned, so you can travel with more confidence and less stress.

The Emotional Side (Let’s Talk About This First)

Before the logistics, there’s something more important: the mental hurdle.

Flying again after a spinal injury isn’t just about airports and aeroplanes, it’s about vulnerability. You’re handing your body, your wheelchair, and your independence over to strangers in a system that wasn’t designed with us in mind.

It’s normal to feel nervous about transfers, anxious about being rushed, or worried about how you’ll be treated.

Interestingly, at the time of my first flight, I wasn’t actually worried about my wheelchair at all. Not because I was overly confident, but because I simply didn’t know how vulnerable wheelchairs are once they’re handed over to an airline.

I had never heard of a wheelchair being damaged by baggage handlers. It wasn’t something that had been talked about, warned about, or explained to me in rehab or during discharge planning. It really was a case of you don’t know what you don’t know.

In some ways, I was also fortunate with my timing. I was released from the hospital into a group home only about a month into the COVID-19 pandemic that was hitting the world. When I eventually took my first flight, not many people globally were able to travel at all.

It was also the first time many Kiwis were finally able to return home. As we arrived, a large group of Māori were welcoming home family and friends, performing a huge haka. I’m not overly shy, but I cried like a baby. Seeing and hearing that, and then seeing my kids at the same time, was incredibly powerful. In that moment, all the anxiety, fear, and uncertainty fell away. It reminded me why travelling again mattered.

I was also very lucky in another way. I had previously worked for Air New Zealand, and a very good friend of mine, Melissa, was still working there as a Senior Purser. Before the flight, I rang her to see if she happened to be rostered on it. Unfortunately, she wasn’t.

What I didn’t know at the time was that, unbeknownst to me, she had quietly arranged for a friend of hers who was working the flight to look after me.

Once I was finally transferred and settled into my seat, several members of the inflight crew came up to introduce themselves. They arrived with business class champagne, headphones, and a few other thoughtful gifts, and suddenly what had been an anxious, emotional experience turned into something genuinely special.

It made that first flight feel exciting rather than frightening, and for that, I was incredibly grateful.

It was only later, after flying more, speaking with other wheelchair users, and experiencing it myself, that the reality became clear. It wasn’t until my wheelchair had been damaged not once, but three times, that I truly understood how vulnerable our equipment is once you are in an aisle chair and being pushed onto the aircraft heading towards your seat, and have entrusted your wheelchair to people who don’t know from a bar of soap.

And that’s the real problem.

Most of us, I don’t think, are given this information early on after our injuries. We’re not warned, educated, or prepared for it in rehab or discharge planning. So we travel trusting a system we don’t yet understand.

Most wheelchair users are never told how often mobility equipment is damaged during air travel. That lack of early information leaves people exposed, not because they’ve done anything wrong, but because they weren’t given the knowledge to protect themselves.

Preparation isn’t about expecting the worst. It’s about reducing risk and travelling with confidence.

Booking Your Flight: Where It Really Starts

What no one tells you is that your experience is often decided before you even get to the airport.

When you book your flight:

• Add special assistance immediately
• Provide accurate wheelchair details (manual, power assist, or power chair)
• Confirm battery type and watt-hours if applicable
• Follow up, do not assume notes have been read

Airlines are large systems. If you don’t advocate early, things can slip through the cracks. Preparation isn’t being difficult; it’s being smart.

Arriving at the Airport: Expect Extra Time

Arrive earlier than the airline recommends. Not because you are slow, but because the system is.

At the airport:

• Allow time for the assistance staff to be assigned
• Expect waiting periods
• Stay calm, even if things feel disorganised

Staff are often well-meaning, but communication between departments isn’t always consistent. Being early gives you breathing space if something isn’t right.

The Transfer: What It’s Really Like

This is often the most confronting part of the journey.

You’ll likely be transferred into an aisle chair and assisted onto the aircraft. It can feel awkward, exposing, and uncomfortable, especially the first time.

What helped me:

• Communicating clearly and calmly
• Asking staff to slow down if needed
• Remembering that it’s okay to speak up

You are allowed to have dignity during this process. You are not an inconvenience.

Your Wheelchair: Understanding the Risk

Once you understand how airlines handle mobility equipment, it becomes clear why preparation matters so much.

Your wheelchair isn’t just another item; it’s your legs, your freedom, your independence. While many handlers do their best, wheelchairs move through systems designed for suitcases, not complex mobility equipment.

What helps:

• Removing loose or easily damaged parts
• Taking photos of your chair before boarding
• Clearly explaining how it should be handled
• Labelling fragile components

Even now, I still feel a level of anxiety handing my chair over. That feeling is valid. The difference is that knowledge has replaced ignorance, and preparation has replaced blind trust.

Your Wheelchair Is Not Luggage

If you rely on a wheelchair, protecting it must be part of your travel plan. Airlines are improving, but systems are still built around suitcases, not mobility equipment. Clear communication and preparation reduce risk.

During the Flight: A Chance to Breathe

Once you’re on board and settled, there’s often a sense of relief. You’ve done the hardest part.

Use the flight to:

• Do pressure relief where possible
• Stay hydrated
• Mentally reset

Flying itself isn’t the enemy. The unknowns around it are. And once you’ve done it once, the fear starts to loosen its grip.

Landing and Reclaiming Your Chair

This moment matters.

When your wheelchair is returned:

• Inspect it before leaving the gate area
• Test brakes, wheels, and electronics if applicable
• Report any damage immediately

If something isn’t right, say so straight away. You deserve to leave the airport with the equipment you rely on every day.

What I Wish Someone Had Told Me

Here’s the truth I wish I’d known earlier:

• Your first flight is the hardest; it does get easier
• You can only prepare for what you’ve been told
• Knowledge reduces anxiety more than anything else
• Staying calm often leads to better outcomes
• You are allowed to ask questions and set boundaries

Flying after a spinal injury isn’t about bravery. It’s about information, preparation, and confidence built over time.

If You’re Still Unsure

If you’re reading this and thinking, “I’m not ready yet”, that’s okay.

You don’t have to rush. You don’t have to prove anything to anyone. But I hope this helps you see that flying again is possible, and that you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Click on any question to see the answer.

Is it normal to feel anxious before your first flight after a spinal injury?

Yes, completely normal.
Flying after a spinal injury isn’t just a physical challenge; it’s an emotional one. You’re trusting people you don’t know with your body, your wheelchair, and your independence. Anxiety doesn’t mean you’re not ready, it means you care and you’re adjusting to a new reality.

Do airlines damage wheelchairs often?

Unfortunately, wheelchair damage during air travel is more common than most people are told. Many wheelchair users only learn this after experiencing it themselves. This is why preparation, documentation, and understanding airline procedures are so important.

When should I tell the airline about my wheelchair?

As early as possible.
Add special assistance at the time of booking, provide accurate wheelchair details, and follow up before your flight. Never assume notes have been read or passed on between departments.

What happens during the transfer onto the aircraft?

Most wheelchair users are transferred into an aisle chair and assisted into their seat. It can feel awkward or exposing, especially the first time. You are allowed to ask staff to slow down, explain what they’re doing, and respect your dignity throughout the process.

Should I remove parts from my wheelchair before flying?

If possible, yes.
Removing loose or easily damaged parts (such as cushions, side guards, joystick controllers, or power assists) can reduce the risk of damage. Always explain how your chair should be handled and label fragile components clearly.

What should I do if my wheelchair is damaged?

Report it immediately, before leaving the gate area.
Inspect your wheelchair as soon as it’s returned, test brakes and electronics, and notify staff straight away if something isn’t right. Early reporting improves your chances of a proper response and repair.

Does flying get easier over time?

For most wheelchair users, yes.
The first flight is often the hardest because of the unknowns. Once you understand the process and know what to expect, confidence grows, and anxiety usually decreases.

Is it okay to wait until I feel ready to fly?

Absolutely.
There’s no timeline you have to follow. Flying again isn’t about proving anything; it’s about feeling informed, prepared, and supported when you decide the time is right.

Where can I find step-by-step help for flying with a wheelchair?

You’re not alone, and you don’t have to figure it out from scratch.