Asking for a friend - carrying walking cane with seat on a plane

Are your flights originating in Australia? If so I would think you need to check with the airlines rules for canes there. I see TSA in the US allows walking canes.
I would also go with the wheel chair service, standing in line doesn’t necessarily mean you are standing in place but continually shuffling along.

I would do the wheelchair service regardless. Doesn't cost you, and airports both here and there seem to have lots of walking.

As for the cane. I guess the standard protocol is that it is up to the security officers working. But generally, devices needed for mobility are allowed. If it is too big for him to have near him, then they will gate check it, have it available as he deplanes. If you are doing a premium class, then there will be room, or the FA will stow it. Similar would be something like a "walker", the ones with wheels, brakes, and a seat. Those are gate checked, and may be something for him to consider. If you go that route, consider something with larger wheels, almost like an "all-terrain" one, or at least the ones I see in Europe are like that.

Thanks for your responses. Yes, the flights would originate in Australia, so yes, we would I guess then approach the airlines for advice. I didn't think about gate checking - I guess it's similar to an umbrella stroller, which we had experience of gate checking many moons ago. But perhaps wheelchair assistance is better, particularly if people are shuffling along, as you say. Hm, now to get that past my in-laws :). Any other relevant experience considered gratefully!

Lavandula

Walking canes (as opposed to hiking sticks) are considered medical mobility devices and are allowed in the aircraft cabin. Mine doesnt have a seat, and has always fit under my seat at my feet. If the seat cane wont fit, the staff can gate check it. If walking and standing has become an issue, then having one may be of even greater benefit outside the airports. However, I would absolutely recommend that you arrange for wheelchair assistance at all the airports you will pass through. Distances, especially at the larger hub airports can be long and tiring and crowded - even without the lines at security and Immigration. You request the assistance when you book your tickets, or afterwards under the Manage My Reservation on the airline website/app. This type of assistance is absolutely appropriate for passengers such as your parents with their health limitations.

You bring up a very valid point when you say "all the airports", which I had not thought of. Most flights to Europe from Australia require a stop in SE Asia or the Middle East (there is also the US route but it takes much longer). I think there are flights to the UK that are direct, from Perth. But most flights almost always require a huge amount of walking to the next gate (in the case of Bangkok, a change of terminal), which is quite some exercise. They can walk on the flat, that's OK, but a wheelchair would be so, so much better. Thanks for validating wheelchairs as legitimate for them, I do think it would be a great help.

I think this is something I could factor into the planning. But I will let my husband broach it with his people. We suggested wheelchairs on our phone call last Sunday in passing. If it comes up again, we will know how to sell it!

Lavandula

Yes, they're allowed, and I've certainly seen people with walking sticks on flights from Australia. But as noted, best to opt for special assistance.

Re medical/travel insurance as Australian residents with an pre-existing condition, look at Zoom Travel Insurance.

Thanks for the tip about Zoom, I don't know them but will certainly look them up!

Lavandula

I only have experience actually in Europe managing friend's visits when they have had mobility issues. Airports are easy compared to many cities in Europe whose historic charm includes LOTS of, stairs and irregular cobblestone streets. For us there were a lot more cabs than trams, for example. Not a reason not to go, but a reason to think about it/plan for it ahead of time so it is not as frustrating. A cane with a seat would be a big winner in museum lines too (even for me on hot days).

Thanks Nick. We are looking at a car in Europe and restricting visits to locations where the car can go. I know this doesn't work for everywhere in Europe but we have amassed quite a list of gardens and similar to see, 95% of which will work with a car. MIL and FIL are seasoned travellers and won't worry if they miss out on traditional sights, but have declared some of their interests and we think we can manage them well.

I was just discussing with my husband and he is of the same opinion as you - a folding cane / chair might be good in all kinds of circumstances, not just at airports. So maybe a combination of both might be a good idea. I am liking this more!

Lavandula

Although I’m usually mobile, I’ve had to use wheelchair assistance a few times here in the US, and it’s been a huge help. That plus the cane with seat sound like a great combo. Some museums in Europe have wheelchairs and folding chairs that can be used on a first come first serve basis, so it’s worth checking when you know your itinerary.

It does add a dimension to the planning that I hadn't anticipated. So I would definitely put forward to them that there will be more support possible in museums, the few that they will visit (and possibly it would be good to plan some of these in for reasons of weather in northern Europe at that time of year), if they can plan ahead. I will have to work on it with my husband a bit. So far we have a list and some ideas which we have not entirely shared with the olds yet, because they are still digesting if they can travel or not. They did do a short road trip interstate last month and it seemed to go OK. It might take some time and we might still need to get medical clearance for the FIL. I also don't want to usurp the MIL's right to plan her own holiday, especially as I won't be on the trip, it will likely just be my husband, MIL and FIL (we have dogs and a daughter who can't get away at that time, so I am still needed on the home front, plus I will be working myself). So I can do a lot of suggesting and will work hand-in-glove with my husband to see if we can do an itinerary with planned museum visits factored in.

Lavandula

Another vote for wheelchair assistance at the airport - in our recent experience, it gets you through any queues more quickly.

I would also investigate travel insurance before you get too hung up on planning. My husband (70s) has two pre-existing conditions and we have had several different responses from insurers:
Refusal to quote at all.
Quote which would cover pre-existing, but which was prohibitively expensive.
Cover through a free poilicy which comes with our bank account, which covers most things, but specifically excludes anything arising from the conditions. We are prepared to take the risk here, as we will only be travelling in northern Europe, usually in our own car, and can afford to cover for anything unexpected.

Further things from experience:
Book hotels with on site parking.
Most attractions have accessibility sections with information for disabled travellers.

Hi there Lavandula, I agree, get wheelchair assistance anyway. I actually asked the Forum last year for advice regarding a walking cane with a seat or hiking poles. I would beware of the ones where people said they almost fell off! bhttps://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/packing/light-weight-packable-seat-for-standing-around.

I ended up taking Black Diamond hiking poles I could pull apart for the rough terrain inside Pompeii. I have no serious mobility issues, but wow was I ever glad to have those poles!! I checked the bag through because of the hiking sticks, And BTW, my Swedish MIL & her BFF travel by plane around Europe frequently with their hiking poles, and they have pointed ends, never an issue.

I wanted to highlight this - A friend of mine who's a BA flight attendant looked at this link for a cane/chair and said it should be no problem getting it onto a plane, it's a cane after all. Just use it at the airport. https://www.amazon.com/Adjustable-Durability-Convenience-Anti-Slip-Lightweight/dp/B0DR46VGC1/?th=1

Good luck!

Thanks Lin C and Sandancisco for the replies. Yes, we saw that the risk of being rejected for travel insurance was quite high, but we have not started researching it in earnest yet. I just checked a few websites but I think this would ultimately have to be a task for them as they have the health details and we don't. Things might improve the longer he has been in good health. I also don't know my in-laws' pain point as regards insurance (i.e what would they pay), and along with a car for the whole time, it could turn out to be quite a spendy trip. I guess they will probably not want cattle class either. So lots of work to do in this regard and it may be a non-starter if the stars don't align for FIL health-wise. But thank you for the tips nevertheless, especially about on-site parking, and lining up our ducks with the various attractions. This will also mean homework but I enjoy this kind of thing almost as much as actually going on the trip. And Sandancisco, I also take heed of the warning about dodgy seats. I had not thought of hiking poles but will investigate if they are willing to go for this kind of thing. Thank you also for telling me about your flight attendant friend, it's good to know that a cane with a seat is still acceptable. It might be a good investment for them even if this trip doesn't come off as I imagine it could be used on home turf too.

I'm very grateful for all the responses, and hope to be able to tell you more about what they have decided sometime soon. Sunday is when we talk, let's see if Grandma gets enthusiastic! :)

Lavandula

We spent 10 day in the Caribbean in June. My 80 year old husband uses a walker after having a stroke. I set up with Delta wheelchair assistance for both flights. We also wanted the walker with us on the plane. No problem---they had space for it up front. Just be sure to tip the wheelchair aid.

As far as insurance---we just had to buy it within so many days because of his preexisting conditions. No problems. I'm not sure why it would be different in Australia but you will just have to check it out. Have a great trip!

"I'm not sure why it would be different in Australia but you will just have to check it out."

The system in Australia is very different from the US. Policies bundle medical and trip cancellation/lost luggage insurance together, and medical is generally unlimited. Australia also has a number of reciprocal health care agreements with European countries, meaning in some cases the patient will be covered by the public health system instead of their private insurance.

As long as the insurer accepts the declaration of a pre existing condition, timing doesn't matter.

In the UK - granted different to Oz - TIA (min-strokes) questions usually are how many in total and how many in the previous 365 days. And then if AF has been diagnosed and if blood thinner is taken.

With my wife's TIA history we can still get insurance.

My husband has taken a cane with a seat for about 10 years without any issue on airplanes, both internationally and domestic European. I think it’s always fit in the overhead bin or else flight attendants have stowed it for him. Sometimes he’s been able to put it next to him if he has a window seat. Recently we discovered a Ta-Da seat which is even better. It fold up into a cylinder so it’s easier to maneuver. For reference, he’s 80 and a big guy (6’1”).

I would second some kind of mobility assistance- whatever each airport has to offer, whether it’s a cart or wheelchair. We discovered that distances in terminals can be REALLY long.

Thanks newnona, Simon, Nigel and Patty. It's good to know that even with a history of strokes that that's not the end of the line as far as insurance. Thank you Simon for explaining about the Australian travel insurance. It's so different that there really is no comparison and of course no way of taking up good advice on policies if they originate from outside Oz. But I do take on board all your experiences, and the fact that we might still be able to get insurance is very positive. FIL had only had 3 TIAs over the course of 18 months, culminating in the operation, and that was about 6 - 7 months ago, and he has completed rehab already, with no TIAs returning so far. If it stays this way, we would be contemplating a trip in April or May next year, so I would think chances are good. MIL was also sick when all of this occurred (travelling with food sensitivities, that was another post), but we think we have her situation in hand now.

That Ta-Da seat / walking stick - wow! So compact! It has won me over. The others look comfortable but hard to stow, while this looks like it could fit into an overhead bin. But thanks everyone for confirming that a cane with a seat is able to be managed by the airlines with nary a wrinkle. It just shows what a depth of knowledge there is that can be tapped about travelling with older people. It can still be done! Most profound thanks from us!

Lavandula

You don’t mention if it has already been done but before getting further into the planning, I suggest you get your in-laws to their doctor(s) for medical clearance to travel, especially your FIL.

lanlubber, agree 100%. We would definitely get the OK and maybe fit-to-fly documentation (this is common here). Getting the OK from the doctor would likely be a pre-requisite before we even think of an itinerary and all the rest. I am just addressing some of the things that still seem to loom large for my mother-in-law (queueing, insurance). And having her son to manage things while underway would have to be a relief. I think they are just on the cusp of completely needing him there.

Lavandula

I'm actually Australian so have some experience with this. If you declare a preexisting condition, Zoom will ask additional questions to decide whether or not to insure, and may increase the premium. Very similar to the UK, as Nigel notes. And Singapore as well.

@ Lavandula

Has been an education for me. Had to ask my surgeon mates to explain what TIA’s were.

The following experiences may be of interest.

Smartravellor.gov.au has information about the reciprocal arrangements with some countries, additionally strongly recommends that one has adequate insurance. I concur. I have an insurance broker who looks after our family businesses. I always seek his advice and have an appropriate policy in place. Lately best fit for us has been local Chub and Zurich offices.

In 2018 my family and I went to Italy to meet my DIL’s relatives in Abruzzo and surrounds for 6 weeks. Tacked on a couple of other countries.

Towards the end in Tuscany my wife fell face down a flight of stairs at a villa. Her natural air bags did not work well enough. We took her to a regional hospital in Montevarchi. She was taken for assessment while I spoke with an admin woman about her details and costs. I produced our green and gold Medicare card. I am sure you know the one. The admin woman had seen it before and phoned the ER Matron and told her that all costs would be covered no matter what. As you no doubt know there exists a reciprocal arrangement between our governments for emergency treatment. One of the many benefits of liberal democracies. Just like our country, the latest and best equipment is procured for the main government hospitals. Also, the best specialist and surgeons are available if needed, same arrangement as at our major city hospitals. Not many people know this.

X-ray then a full scan in a recently commissioned Siemens MRI. Diagnosis cracked ribs. My wife was offered the equivalent of our Panadeine Forte but declined. We left with an envelope containing the X-ray and MRI plates. The costs were circa $2,000 AUD if I was paying.

Next day continued our way to Lauterbrunnen. My wife was now in considerable pain and our Panadol was useless. There was a doctor’s room on the road of the house we took. My girls took their mother to the wonderful lady DR who after checking the plates and a physical exam prescribed liquid Morphine for the pain and dispensed it at her consulting rooms. 600CHF. Luckily, I had sufficient CHF on my Qantas multi-currency card. My wife was now higher in the mountains than anyone else. I attended the Dr’s next day for instructions on administering the drug and what to look for on our long-haul flight back home and administering the drug at altitude. Also gave me a further prescription for stronger Morphine if I thought it was needed. The Dr told me it could be dispensed at any pharmacy in the Schengen. She is now on the top tier of my end of year thankyou card list. We continued to Belgium for a few days. Did not have to assess the veracity of what she said. Fixed the insurance matters after returning home.

I contacted Thai Airlines and asked for curb side assistance at Belgium airport and help at security as I would be packing Morphine and likely have residue on me. In Belgium, Bangkok, and Melbourne I was given help. The airline only asked for the Drs details. There was no need to ask for help from insurance as all they would offer at that stage would have been business class seats, which we already had. The business cabin pursers were most helpful.

On wheelchairs and canes. This has also been educational for me. Never seen a seated cane device. Have led a sheltered life. Still have not seen such a cane at an airport or on an aircraft.

In 2024 I was invited to a retirement function for a mentor from my uni days in London and a Canadian judge who was thrown a surprise function in northern Michigan. It evolved into around the world in less than 70 days with stops in Shanghai and some members of my family joining us in Italy.

Our flights, except one, were in business class. So, I do not see proceedings in economy on international long-haul. Saw no canes of the type being discussed.

China Eastern, Lufthansa, American and a short BA from Gatwick to Rome that turned into an economy Vueling. China Eastern was our best experience.

Lavandula, it may be of interest that those using assistance services are normally called and boarded first at departure port. First chance at overhead lockers. On the negative those needing wheelchair assistance, including business, are asked to wait until all others have deboarded. The exception was boarding at LA which was a rugby scrum as the economy seated flyers with biggest allowable carry-on surged forward. I guess to fight for overhead locker space.

My wife, I wrote about, was an avid equestrian in her younger days with her own horses. Had many offs and injuries, knees in particular. The tumble in Tuscany did not help. Passage of time did not heal her knee injuries. These were declared and taken into consideration in buying travel insurance particularly as we were travelling/spending time in the USA. An appropriate increase in insurance excess contribution was written into the policy. My daughters made her buy a walking cane and demanded that she ask for wheelchair assistance mainly for my peace of mind. Well, she did give in to the cane and the other. A fancy black one with rose blooms over it, normal height. Plenty of room for it in the overhead locker. As is her want left it somewhere around Lake Bled, Slovenia. Got her a cheap collapsable one for the remainder of the trip. Still got it.

A combination of wheelchairs and carts were provided at the airports. In our case from deboarded to lounge and then from lounge to departure. Great to be guided around an unfamiliar airport. Quite some distance at Chicago and from the Flagship one at LA. Skipped the usual queues and had some interesting people to talk to along the way. Accompanying family members get to skip the lines too. It is a universally provided service. Convince the outlaws that they need to use this for your sanity.

In Australia, these wonderful people are paid from $35AUD an Hour plus super plus holiday entitlements. Similar wage equivalent in China and Europe. USA is lower as travellers are expected to top up wages by tipping.

Best wishes
Ron

I have had varying experiences with a fold up walker, https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/walgreens-space-saver-walker/ID=prod6359967-product, for my mother. The gate agent will tell you if it is ok to take it on board and tag it. Most have done this. A few insisted it be checked. No extra fees were ever charged. But if allowed, it will have to go in the overhead compartment. This, though, can cause a problem when everyone decides to carry on because it takes up space. I've once had a flight attendant take it out and store it somewhere else.

Thanks Simon, Tassie Devil and Rebecca!

Simon, I knew you were Aussie from previous posts. Zoom has been a good suggestion, and thanks for your experience with this. I have already had a look at their website and there is an extensive section on pre-existing conditions. When we broach this with the elders, this (Zoom) will be one of the things we bring up first. I am not sure yet how to tell them that they were the subject of a post - or if we should tell them at all, just drip-feed the information as we come to it. So thanks for your sage advice, I may call on it again before this trip is out.

Tassie Devil - I am sorry to hear of your wife's accident. My goodness, you had such presence of mind to get kerbside assistance and pre-warn security about the morphine. But good to hear the reciprocal agreement is in place and working. When we work out where we are going (and we have a few countries / sights in mind, but haven't completely discussed them yet), we will come back in a new thread. But it seems smart to look at places where there is a reciprocal agreement.

Also interested to see which airlines you found to be most helpful with boarding and wheelchairs. There is a fair chance we might pick one of them (although everyone seems to be expensive nowadays).

On walking sticks with a seat:
https://www.bunnings.com.au/costway-folding-walking-stick-seat-aluminum-w-handle-built-in-led-light_p0627288?region_id=au_nsw_sydney_metro&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22733617412&gbraid=0AAAAADtbEB9msKP-0_1RybxtGcP8AmcBO&gclid=CjwKCAjw25fWBhAVEiwAMopNjjUW2O9bvZtESuwiKmJnG6BU-qE3GCuYfpwE1LeJBMEgg6AalwWhgRoChY0QAvD_BwE

and

https://www.amazon.com.au/Ta-Chair-2-87cm-height/dp/B09TD2C6MV/ref=sr_1_5?adgrpid=86202541679&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.NUIcT44a5R6yJpM1eQyOxAWHUjTAdHqm5QVp-2y9MHde0jWb1zuQvdftqqlbYGBn8ZSXel4Fo3n4uNPbCv_7HtZoVO5UL4w-99P4tdJLMnNhs2e1Dz9I16VZYGY_lN8nLsvNcNEZTcvZouFzmYga_QXYvetm5TAoqW4_JxC4w62K6niUNx69i6-qfr7mDhS7j1EJHREarWPFvw-HwgujLpyIGs3ihyEH3kI-gdV6TeAFIC7c8mjbEGltTlMRMG8VdB12MsnPPgMOcwz5D9pfyqOmwRJPWRB3fSUJtkE3xQc.j3Cp7P3Rrk0-FEjdofsFA9lmd7mJyl1eYW9xndBrsHU&dib_tag=se&gad_source=1&hvadid=591067763988&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9071834&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=15226891600172132644--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=15226891600172132644&hvtargid=kwd-863101470394&hydadcr=24277_358223&keywords=ta%2Bda%2Bwalking%2Bstick%2Bchair&mcid=45540f2797d332e289c7476ef2126842&qid=1791415596&sr=8-5&th=1

These are two my husband and I have been looking at now (and thanks for the reco for the Ta-Da seat, Patty, we are leaning towards that). There seems to be a newer version but also a lot more expensive.

Thanks also for your experiences regarding boarding and the rugby scrum getting on board, Tassie Devil. We are just going to make sure that there is a nice long connection time between flights and that it won't matter if MIL and FIL are still seated when everyone else leaves. You said carts - I wonder if there is space for all three (MIL, FIL, husband) to get on a cart? Sounds more efficient between gates, but a wheelchair would be better for the queues, which was MIL's main concern. Food for thought. (And 'outlaws' - I love it! Really we are very cordial, but I let my husband broach new topics and feel his way around with suggestions. They're his parents and I like to help but also know that it is better coming from him sometimes. We also don't talk politics any more but that is a whole other story and we won't open that door here, just safe to say we are all still talking and smiling.)

Rebecca, it sounds as though whatever the in-laws bring (walker, seat / cane, other...) will work for the airlines. Thanks for sharing your experience, I have been finding this whole entire thread very helpful and I have learnt a lot from everyone's experiences.

Lavandula

You could try a ‘dummy’ travel insurance quote online from a few companies, including a medical assessment to see whether he is going to be able to get insurance coverage, and the potential cost. I recently had tests that revealed a condition that doesn’t really affect me much but turned out to be declined for insurance by several insurers or to be prohibitively expensive by others (probably because in a severe form it is a significant issue, but the insurance quotes don’t differentiate). In the end I found an insurer that would cover it for just a few hundred $ extra. In general I’ve found travel insurance quotes to vary by huge amounts, and check multiple companies for every trip - the same company that is best for one trip inevitably isn’t the best for the next.
Also, I’ve found that the cost of insuring the trip itself (outside of medical) seems to be becoming very expensive (5-10% of the sum insured) and have been looking more closely at the medical and evacuation only options offered by some insurers.

Thanks for bringing up this suggestion, we would definitely do dummy runs. I agree, the parameters of each insurance company can be so different from trip to trip. We once bought a mattress for our bed and wanted to compare between sellers. We live in a big city and so consequently there are many mattress sellers. Well, you wouldn't believe it - at no seller was there another mattress the same as at the last place. Everywhere you went, there were slight differences, so that you could not really make comparisons. Frustrating as it was, we ended up just buying the mattress where we bought the bed frame because we couldn't compare too well. That was 30 years ago but we still talk about it when we have to buy something big. So this is also a bit like buying mattresses, you can't make surface comparisons and we will have to get into the guts of the policies and do mock bookings. But that will only give us a price differential and what is on offer will still be hard to compare, because they don't really want us to be able to make a comparison :)

Thanks also for your good idea about just looking at medical and evacuation. I have never thought of doing that and we will discuss it. It would be one way of lessening the burden. I am not sure what they extra cost will be yet but it is one tool in our artillery. So thanks again!

Lavandula