Helicopter accessibility and boarding: what to expect and what to tell us

Key points

• Tell us about any need when you request a quote. The information is treated in confidence and used only to plan.
• Boarding involves a step up and a seat lower than a car seat, and the crew assist.
• Cabin layout and door arrangements differ between aircraft, so the right helicopter can make a real difference.
• Landing sites matter: level ground and close vehicle access make boarding easier.
• We tell you plainly if a flight is not practical, and suggest alternatives.

How does boarding work?

You approach the helicopter with a crew member, step up through the door and sit in a seat fitted with a harness. The step is a sill rather than a staircase, and there are handholds. Crew can steady you, and a portable step is used where the aircraft needs one. The seats are firm, and the headroom is limited, as in a small car, so ducking in is needed.

The cabin of the Leonardo AW139 is the largest in our fleet and the Airbus H145 D3 is roomy, while the AS355 Twin Squirrel is more compact. We do not promise headroom for walking about the cabin in any of them. If boarding comfort matters, we choose the aircraft with that in mind.

What about passengers with reduced mobility?

Many passengers who walk with a stick or a little help board without difficulty. For those who use a wheelchair, the position is more constrained. A wheelchair does not go in the cabin, and transferring from a chair to the seat needs the passenger to be able to move with assistance from the crew and companions. A folding chair may be carried in the hold if the space and weight allow.

We cannot lift or carry passengers, and the crew will not take risks with anyone's safety. What we can do is arrange a landing site close to the vehicle, a level surface, extra time to board and a companion to help. Tell us honestly what you can do, so that we can answer honestly whether the flight will work. If it will not, a chauffeur car through our sister service Executive Global Travel is the alternative.

What about hearing, sight and other needs?

Passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing can still fly. The headset helps conversation, and the crew can brief you in writing before the flight. If you use a hearing aid, tell us, because headsets need to fit comfortably over it. Passengers who are blind or have low vision board with the help of the crew, who guide them to the seat. A guide dog can travel in some cases, and we should know in advance. See flying with pets by helicopter for how animals are handled.

Passengers with anxiety, autism, sensory sensitivity or other needs benefit from a quieter introduction. Tell us, and we arrange a calm briefing and, where possible, a visit to the aircraft before the engines start. Our first-time passenger guide covers noise, nerves and what to expect.

How does the landing site affect access?

The site decides how easy boarding is. A flat surface with a car pulling up beside the aircraft is far easier than a field a long walk from the road. Airfields and heliports usually have hard surfaces and vehicle access. A private lawn may be uneven or wet. We consider this when we choose or approve a site, and our private site guide explains what we look for.

What does helicopter accessibility look like in practice?

Helicopter accessibility is a matter of matching the person, the aircraft and the site. In practice that means a quick conversation with us, a decision about which aircraft has the easiest boarding for you, a site with a firm level surface close to a car, and a crew who know what help you want. It also means being honest: some flights are not practical, and it is better to know in advance than on the day.

We can arrange a companion seat for someone who needs help, extra time for boarding and a calm briefing. We cannot adapt the aircraft itself. Where a helicopter is not the right answer, a chauffeur car, a train or a jet from an accessible airport may be, and we are happy to point you to them. For a jet, see Charter-Private-Jet.com.

Can children and older passengers fly?

Yes, with a little preparation. Children need a seat and belt that fit, a headset and a clear briefing, and we need their weight. Infants are handled according to the aircraft's rules, so ask us early. Older passengers who walk steadily can board with a hand, and those who tire easily benefit from a short walk to the aircraft and a site close to the car. If anyone in your party has a medical condition, tell us in confidence, and we will talk through what is sensible. A first-time flight is a good moment to read our first-time passenger guide together.

What should I tell you?

• Any mobility aid and how much help you need to board.
• Hearing, sight or sensory needs.
• Medical conditions that the crew should know about.
• Whether anyone is travelling as a companion.
• Any assistance animal.

We use this only to plan the flight and do not share it beyond what the crew and sites need. When you are ready, request a quote or call us on the line that is open 24 hours. We will give you an honest answer about what is possible, and what the options are if a helicopter is not the right choice.