The single most useful thing to know about traveling as a senior is that airlines are set up to help - much more than they advertise. Assistance services are free, generous, and available at every stage of the trip.
Airport assistance
Request 'special assistance' or 'passenger with reduced mobility' (PRM) at booking or through the airline app. It is free and provides:
- Meet-and-greet at check-in.
- Wheelchair or cart from check-in to gate.
- Priority boarding.
- Deplaning assistance at destination.
- Onward wheelchair through immigration and baggage.
- Transfer through connecting airports on the same ticket.
The service is provided even if you do not use a wheelchair daily. Long airport walks, standing in immigration queues, and carrying bags all count.
Mobility devices
Personal wheelchairs, walkers, scooters and other mobility devices are carried free of charge on every airline, in addition to any regular baggage allowance. Under US DOT rules and international convention, damage to a mobility device is treated with higher liability than regular checked baggage.
Two rules matter for battery-powered mobility devices:
- Non-spillable batteries (gel or lithium under 300 Wh): no restrictions, can stay on the device.
- Larger lithium: must be removed from the device and carried in the cabin; 300 Wh is a typical maximum with airline approval.
Medical preparation
- Carry all medication in original labeled containers. Bring more than the trip requires - a 7-day buffer minimum.
- Ask your doctor about DVT (deep vein thrombosis) risk on long flights. Compression stockings and short walks help.
- If you use supplemental oxygen, arrange with the airline in advance. Personal oxygen concentrators are allowed; tanks are not.
- Bring a written list of medications with generic names, dosages, and doctor contact information.
- Check whether any of your medications are restricted in the destination country (some ADHD medications are illegal in Japan; some codeine products are restricted in the UAE).
Seating and comfort
- Aisle seats are almost always the right choice. Easier access to lavatories, easier to stand.
- Bulkhead rows have more legroom but often no floor storage.
- Exit rows have most legroom but require the ability to help in an emergency - not appropriate for all seniors.
- Premium economy on long flights, if budget permits, is dramatically more comfortable for older travelers.
- Some carriers (BA, Lufthansa) offer economy 'preferred seats' for a modest fee that provide priority boarding and better seat locations without full premium.
See also: travel insurance basics, first-time flyers guide, long-haul flight tips.
Frequently asked
Is there an age limit for flying?+
No. Airlines do not have an upper age limit for passengers. Elderly passengers can fly if they can safely board, sit, and stand.
Can I bring my own wheelchair on the aircraft?+
Manual folding wheelchairs are often stowed in the cabin closet. Larger devices go into the hold with priority handling. You can request an aisle chair for onboard mobility.
Do senior citizens get discounts?+
Rarely on airlines directly. Some rail passes and hotels have senior rates. Airlines mostly focus on assistance rather than pricing benefits.
Aisha Owen
Airport operations writer at AirHelpService
Writes about air travel operations, passenger rights and airport procedures. Reader questions and corrections welcome via our contact page.
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