Around 15 per cent of the global population has a disability, and that figure is set to rise
Imagine being stranded at an airport, not being able to use the bathroom on an aeroplane, or lacking access to the IFE system. For many
travellers, such instances would prompt a flurry of outrage, but for those with accessibility needs – which includes people with mobility issues, visual and hearing impairments, neuro divergencies such as autism or ADHD, and other special requirements – it’s all too often a normal part of the travel experience.
British TV presenter Sophie Morgan is no stranger to the issues faced by travellers with accessibility needs. After her wheelchair was broken on a flight between London to Los Angeles in March this year (for the second time), she become the face of Rights on Flights, a national campaign to reform the industry and make it more inclusive.
“From beginning to end there are barriers when it comes to flying,” says Morgan. “I think it’s something that non-disabled people take for granted, and when you begin to understand the pain points, people are surprised that it’s still such a nightmare in this day and age – but it is.
“This includes everything from navigating airports, which can be quite overwhelming if you are neurodiverse or have ADHD, for example. Then there are examples of people who are blind being put into wheelchairs to get them through the airport because that’s all the assistance seems to be.
Denne historien er fra September 2023-utgaven av Business Traveller UK.
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Denne historien er fra September 2023-utgaven av Business Traveller UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
The rail thing - Why airlines and train companies are partnering to increase options for travellers on short journeys
An intercity flight connection operated by train would have been almost unthinkable in the early 1990s, but in 2024 it will increasingly be the default experience at many European hub airports. European nations have been among the world's leaders in adopting high-speed rail for short-distance trips, along with Asian countries such as Japan and China.
Adventures in Albania - From paranoid dictatorship to dream travel destination, why the Balkan nation is ready for its moment in the sun
Over the past few years, tourism has shot up stratospherically; recent figures from the European Travel Commission show it's grown 86 per cent since 2019. Its GDP per capita has also been increasing, and last year stood at US$8,800, while the average monthly salary is now around 84,000 lek (£704). Foreign direct investment is also on the rise, with countries including Switzerland, Italy, and the Netherlands targeting sectors such as energy, mining, information and real estate to a value of around US$1.5 billion in 2022, according to UNCTAD's World Investment Report. Not bad for a country which used to depend on foreign food aid.
Sushi Kanesaka at 45 Park Lane, London
Watching Kanesaka work his magic is performance in itself
Scandic Spectrum, Copenhagen
An impressive corporate hotel just minutes from Copenhagen's centre
Kimpton Clocktower, Manchester
The perfect mix of gorgeous heritage design with cool, cosmopolitan attitude
Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, London
A stunning success another calming experience in the capital
Eurostar Business Premier LONDON-PARIS
It remains the superior service for those travelling from London to Paris
Qatar Airways Boeing 777-300ER first class DOHA-HONG KONG
There is a lot to like, but my experience was far from perfect
4 HOURS IN...Vienna
You'll be spoiled for choice when it comes to the Austrian capital's museums, galleries and historic cafes
SWITCHING OFF IN...THE LOIRE VALLEY
Escape to the secluded forests of the Loire Valley for a digital detox