Flying with assistance

[Brend]

Hi I am flying out from Manchester with my elderly aunt and uncle although they can both walk they cannot walk far and won't be able to manage the steps. I have ticked the box for assistance when i booked the tickets but do I need to get to Manchester earlier than 3 hours and will the wheelchairs be waiting at Istanbul. Also can they upgrade to premium seats when we check our bags in at Manchester.
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[Marions]

Not flown from Manchester, but my husband needs wheelchair assistance and Pegasus were very helpful.
Coming form London we got there at normal time and went to the Assistance sector and were pushed through the back streets of the airport and dumped in the departure lounge (wot! No duty free shopping!?) We were hoisted onto the plane bya special lift, and really did not have to ask time and time again.

Why not phone the airport and get your fears allayed? I would say that I was quite relieved to be travelling with a disabled passenger cos I got the perks as well of first on and almost 'cherished' through everywhere.

As I sai,d phone the airport and find out for yourself, but people are very kind and helpful these days, and I don't think you have any need for concern.

Good luck (although it is not 'luck' that matters, but the caring of others!)

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Thanks for quick reply Marions. will phone.
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[wanderer]

My late mother always travelled assisted with Turkish airlines she flew from BHX which offer assistance
At Istanbul you wait on the plane and are last to leave they are waiting at the gate and wiz you to your departure gate on the motorised wheelchairs
Mother always turned up
On the reverse its was always a diy till checkin at Ercan

[pc4854]

Think Ercan has improved. My wife and I travelled via Ercan with Turkish Airlines and as soon as we entered the terminal a man came rushing over with a wheel chair. From that moment until we reached the car park at Gatwick, she was treated like royalty. Wonderful service.

[Deniz1]

If you get stuck say Araba and push your hands out.

[Maisiemoo]

If anyone is travelling through Larnaca and needs special assistance don't worry as they're very good. Only once have we had a problem when there were too many wheelchairs for attendants, but they let me push my husband down to the plane. Even when we were diverted to Paphos because of the hi-jack at Larnaca they were waiting to escort us off the plane.

[thornaby]

Flew from Manchester about five years ago with wife who had a broken leg. Manchester brilliant, Ercan a joke. A broken wheelchair with a knackered wheel and no assistance. Recent visits to Ercan suggest things ar better and by goodness they need it!

[woodspeckie]

A different story at Larnaca two years ago with a friend coming to stay in the same Hotel as us, the assisstant asked him where he was going to stay in Cyprus when he said Girne he put the brake on the wheelchair and left him, a complaint was made to the airport but he never heard anything back.

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Thanks for all replies. Phoned Turkish airways and its sorted. (I hope)
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