Australia
— Virgin Airlines passenger policy took a
catastrophic leap backwards today. Virgin's
special revised 'special service request'
passenger policy couches blatant discrimination
and exclusion.
On the same day it has the
presence of mind to announce a $2 million
upgrade to passenger lounges in Sydney,
Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. Given the two
extremes, PDCN can only assume travellers will
enjoy better service on the ground and if you're
a person with a disability, that's where Virgin
Blue would like you to stay.
People with disabilities
can only make bookings through a "special"
booking service, or be denied entry to their
booked flight. No assistance will be given to
get to the toilet facility, either in the
terminal or on board. As no in-flight aisle
wheelchair is provided, people usually able to
go to the toilet independently will not be able
to unless they have a carer, who incidentally
must be able to lift and carry the person with a
disability. A carer is required to push a person
onto and from the aircraft. Some will therefore
be forced to take a carer even when a carer is
not required. Carer travel is expensive: an
extra seat and fare need to be purchased.
Virgin's Independent
Travel Criteria insist that a person with a
disability be able to reach, pull down and
manipulate the overhead oxygen mask, as well as
reach and don a lifejacket in the event of an
emergency. None of the above are criteria
required by children travelling alone.
PDCN recommends Virgin
Blue Airlines would better spend $2M on
additional ground crew and aisle wheelchairs
along with disability awareness training for
staff.
