Does anyone have any recent experience concerning wheelchair assistance at CDG? I've recently had a health setback which leaves me with very low reserves of energy. I won't have trouble getting on and off the plane or moving around inside the cabin but long walks and long lines will probably be more than I can manage. We'll be flying Air France, but I think wheelchair assistance comes from the airport, not the airline.
Posted by
Green Bay
20143 posts
Had to use it a few years ago when a lady with our group fractured her hip skiing and we were spending 3 days in Paris on the way home. It all worked out OK for us. Got wheel chair assistance between the gate to the airport exit at both the arrival and departure from CDG.
Posted by
Vacaville, Ca
1369 posts
You can arrange assistance at the airport through Air France, http://www.airfrance.us/US/en/common/guidevoyageur/assistance/pmr_aeroport_airfrance.htm
Brochure: http://www.airfrance.fr/common/image/pdf/en/guide_pmr_en.pdf
I believe they require at least a minimum of 48 hours notice, but can be requested during the booking process as well.
Posted by
South Florida
776 posts
After my fall on the airplane, the crew encouraged me to use a wheel chair to get through CDG. The crew arranged for the chair which was waiting for me on landing. In addition to those posted above, this website might also be of help.
Posted by
seattle
2047 posts
Are you taking your own wheelchair? I took a trip to Paris with my folding wheelchair in October. I also had a handicap placard from my MD. We were able to gate check the wheelchair so my husband could wheel me from the gate, through the terminal and also through museums and on longer walks around Paris. We found buses were the easiest to get around with a wheelchair.
Posted by
OP
Florida
482 posts
No, I don't have a wheelchair.
The dust has hardly settled, but I'm not seeing this as a permanent state of affairs. Time will tell.
Posted by
Redding, California
244 posts
My husband had the same experience. I explained to Air France the situation. They met us at the gate and took us through security. The lines were awful and he would have had a difficult time if it hadn't been for assistance. When we landed they notified us someone was waiting for us and help was there. Very thankful for the help!
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
As you're hearing, the airline is at least the middle-man in the arrangement. When I wanted to book assistance through Delta/KLM for my dad a couple of years ago, I just logged into his reservation details and was able to add the request online.