How should you assist a passenger who uses a wheelchair?

• A. Refuse assistance to avoid delaying service.
• B. Assist only if the passenger asks for help.
• C. Provide assistance per accessibility policies and coordinate with the team to ensure safe seating and passage.
• D. Ask them to transfer to a seat without a wheelchair.

Answer: (C)

When a passenger uses a wheelchair, the main idea is to provide assistance in a way that follows accessibility policies and to work with the rest of the crew to ensure the passenger can be seated and moved safely. This means offering help proactively, identifying how the passenger wants to be assisted, and coordinating with teammates to manage seating, space, and movement through the cabin.

This approach is the best because it respects the passenger’s independence and dignity while meeting safety and regulatory requirements. By following established accessibility procedures, you ensure that mobility aids are handled properly, the path to the seat is clear, and the passenger is seated with the proper support and restraints as needed. Coordinating with the team helps address things like seat assignment, aisle clearance, and any equipment that must be stowed or brought to the seat, reducing delays and preventing unsafe situations.

Choosing not to assist, waiting for the passenger to ask for help, or insisting a passenger transfer to a seat without a wheelchair would be contrary to policy, can cause delays, discomfort, and potential safety issues.