Preparing for Takeoff: Addressing In-Flight Challenges Faced by Persons Living with Dementia and Travel Companions

TL;DR

This study explores the in-flight challenges faced by people with dementia and their travel companions, and offers strategies to improve their travel experience.

Contribution

The study identifies common in-flight challenges and provides recommendations based on insights from travelers and flight crew in the USA and Australia.

Findings

Common in-flight challenges include anxiety, confusion, and toilet access issues for travelers with dementia.

Flight crew interactions and seating arrangements were also identified as significant concerns.

Participants shared strategies and recommendations to mitigate these challenges during air travel.

Abstract

Addressing the challenges faced by travelers with dementia and their companions requires developing accessible services based on inclusive principles, dementia awareness, and a willingness to listen to the voices of those living with dementia. Although increasing awareness of the needs of travelers with dementia has seen positive changes within airports globally (e.g., the sunflower lanyard), the needs and experiences of travelers with dementia in-flight are less well understood. This poster combines findings from two similar studies conducted in the USA and Australia exploring in-flight issues from the perspective of travelers with dementia (n = 55), their companions (n = 217). We share the consistent themes on in-flight challenges that were found in both studies, with additional insight from flight crew in the Australian study (n = 21). In-flight challenges included anxiety, confusion, toilet access and use, awareness of available assistance, negative flight crew interactions, and seating arrangements. We share participants’ own strategies for preventing or mitigating the issues they have faced and make additional recommendations for air travel guidelines to support safe travel.