Transit and stopover

GETTING OFF THE AIRCRAFT

One of our staff members will come on board to help you get off the plane, so please wait for their arrival in your assigned seat. If you move from your seat, we may have difficulty locating you.

As a rule, passengers who have requested assistance are disembarked last. If you have difficulty or are unable to move in the aisle, we may use a special aisle chair. This is designed to move easily within the plane and will be used to accompany you to the plane exit. Once you are on the ground, we will seat you in a standard wheelchair, or directly in your personal wheelchair if you prefer; if you opt for your personal wheelchair, it is crucial that you inform the airline when requesting assistance so that your chair is ready at the plane door after landing.

The way you leave the plane will depend on its location: If the plane is connected to the terminal via a finger, you will enter the airport directly. If the plane is parked on the apron, you can (if possible) descend using the stairs, again with the help of our staff member. If you are unable to descend the stairs, we will use a mobile lift (also known as an ambulift) to bring you safely to the ground; In this case, you will then be accompanied to the terminal by a minibus equipped for wheelchairs.

Depending on your origin and destination, you may have to go through security and/or passport checks.

SECURITY CHECKS

Security checks are designed to prevent dangerous or prohibited items from being loaded onto the plane.

One of our staff members will accompany you through a dedicated gate during the screening process. To access security, you will need your boarding pass. Please keep it ready for scanning.

At the gate, a security officer will screen you, your hand luggage, any medical aids including medication (along with the relevant documentation) and mobility aids such as your wheelchair.

If you are able to walk a few steps, you can pass through the security gate unaided;  otherwise, you will remain in your wheelchair and will be manually checked by an attendant.

Please note that items which could be considered offensive weapons (such as metal files, scissors or golf clubs), as well as explosives, flammable, poisonous, toxic and infectious substances, are not permitted on your person and/or in your hand luggage.

You can find all official instructions on the transport of liquids at security checks on the dedicated pages for Fiumicino and Ciampino airports:

• Security checks - Fiumicino Airport
• Security checks - Ciampino Airport

Pacemakers and medical devices

If you wear a pacemaker or any other medical device that could be affected by the metal detector, you should advise staff before passing through the security gate: they can then take alternative measures (such as a manual body search) to avoid any possible interference.

PASSPORT CHECK

After clearing security checks, if your journey involves crossing a border, we will accompany you to the passport check area. Please have your travel document ready for verification.

BOARDING AREA

Following the security and passport checks, you will be directed and accompanied to your departure gate or one of our lounges. If you are waiting near the gate, we recommend being there at the scheduled boarding time so our staff member can easily locate you when you board.

BOARDING

As a rule, passengers who have requested assistance board first. This ensures you have plenty of time and space to reach your seat safely.

In some cases, boarding does not take place via the finger (the enclosed walkway that directly connects the terminal to the plane entrance). In these situations, we will accompany you to the plane by minibus. If you are able to climb a few steps, you can use the stairs with the other passengers; however, if you find it difficult or impossible to manage stairs or differences in height, we will provide an ambulift to take you directly to the entrance. Similarly, if you have difficulty or are unable to move in the aisle, we may use a special aisle chair. This is designed to move easily within the plane, allowing us to accompany you to your seat safely and comfortably.

If you use your own personal wheelchair, the airline will take responsibility for loading your chair into the hold after we have accompanied you to your seat.

LUGGAGE HANDLING

During transit, hold luggage is automatically redirected to your next flight. However, we advise you to always keep the necessary documents for your onward flight with you.