Wheelchair-Accessible Private Jet Charters: All You Need to Know

Wheelchair-Friendly Private Jet Flights: What to Expect

Navigating a private jet charter trip with a wheelchair is a highly specialized service, requiring tailored arrangements to ensure the safest and most comfortable experience for passengers with mobility limitations. If you or a loved one require a private jet charter with wheelchair accessibility and assistance, our team at Paramount can arrange for a range of private jets and support options that streamline every aspect of the journey—from pre-planning to choosing the best aircraft for the mission, boarding, disembarking, and everything in between.

Here’s a comprehensive look at what you can expect when renting a private jet with wheelchair assistance service:

     1. Pre-Flight Planning and Arrangements

The key to a smooth journey starts with effective pre-flight planning. If a client requires wheelchair assistance or has specific mobility limitations, informing the private jet charter service as early as possible is crucial. Depending on the location and available resources, assistance may involve local private ambulance services, airport-based emergency personnel, or specialized lift equipment such as Ambulift.

Ambulifts are vehicles used at airports to help people with disabilities and reduced mobility, board, and disembark airplanes. Ambulifts lift the passenger and their wheelchair or stretcher up to the aircraft. Using Ambulifts gives the private jet client a much larger selection of aircraft compared to searching for private jets with built-in lifts.

Ambulift near private jets - Photo Credit SB2017GRK, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Mobility support is typically provided at an additional cost, ranging from $250 to $750 in the USA based on location and specific needs. Internationally, mobility services can cost as much as $4,000 per location.

These arrangements ensure that everything is prepared in advance, from ground transportation to inflight catering and boarding support, minimizing any potential delays or complications.

     2. Selecting the Right Aircraft

Not all private jets are wheelchair accessible, so it’s essential to choose an aircraft that can accommodate a wheelchair. Smaller jets, like the HondaJet or Vision Jet, may not have wide enough doors or layouts for wheelchair entry, whereas midsize or larger jets often have more accessible configurations. Clients who need additional room or a specific seating arrangement, such as a three-place divan, should communicate these needs in advance to ensure an optimal aircraft selection.

     3. Specialized Private Jets

While most private jets require external assistance for wheelchair access, some specialized models, such as the Challenger 601, Challenger 604, and PC-12, are retrofitted with hydraulic lifts that allow passengers to board in their wheelchairs. However, these aircraft options are limited and may not be available at all locations, so additional planning and sometimes higher positioning costs may be necessary.

Interior of the Challenger 604

Interior of the Challenger 601

Interior of the Pilatus PC-12

     4. Customized Assistance Based on Needs

The assistance provided for each flight is highly customized. In addition to standard mobility support, providers will conduct a detailed assessment of each client’s medical and physical requirements. This process includes understanding mobility limitations, required seating configurations, and any additional support needed throughout the journey. Our providers work closely with the client to ensure that the right equipment and personnel are available for a seamless boarding and deplaning experience.

     5. Boarding Assistance and Equipment

For passengers who cannot navigate stairs, our providers can arrange for specialized lift chairs and other mobility aids. This equipment is used to safely lift clients onto the private jet, even in cases where traditional boarding methods are not possible. Each piece of equipment is selected according to the client’s requirements and the specific aircraft, ensuring that passengers feel secure and comfortable from the outset.

     6. In-flight Comfort and Safety 

Once on board, passengers will generally need to transfer from their foldable wheelchair to an aircraft seat, as aviation safety standards require the use of seat belts during flight. The assistance team can provide support to help passengers make this transition safely. The wheelchair can be used within the cabin if it fits in the isle. Once the passenger is situated in their seat the wheelchair is stored in the cabin storage area or with other cargo in the plane. Our priority is to ensure that every passenger is not only comfortable but also secure for the duration of their flight.

     7. Planning and Communication: Key to a Smooth Experience

Every private jet flight involving wheelchair assistance requires careful planning. To ensure that all details are in place, our team maintains close communication with everyone involved well before departure. By preparing each aspect in advance, we aim to deliver a reliable, accommodating service for every mobility-assisted private jet charter flight.

At Paramount, we prioritize your needs with a tailored approach, creating a seamless and dignified travel experience for passengers requiring wheelchair assistance. From equipment selection to aircraft compatibility and real-time coordination, our team is here to help make private air travel accessible and comfortable for everyone.

Questions?

Call us 24/7 on +1-877-727-2538 Ext. 1 or

Send us an email at charter@paramounbusinessjets.com

You may also visit our private jet wheelchair service FAQ or

Get a Quick Price Estimate online.