British airline crew are being trained to support travellers with sight loss, including helping them to their seats and finding the best position on planes for guide dogs.
Virgin Atlantic staff will be shown by the charity Guide Dogs, through online and in-person training, how to improve the travel experience for those flying with a visual impairment.
Crew members will be taught how to approach someone with sight loss, how to help them navigate narrow or busy spaces, stairs, steps, and doorways, and where to take their seat.
They will also learn the best position on aircraft for guide dogs to rest on their long journeys. Crew will also have opportunities to test out the training by safely guiding someone with sight loss to their seat.
It comes as new research by One Poll shows three in five Brits with sight loss say they would like to travel abroad more.
Out of 250 British adults who experience visual impairment, the majority said they would feel more comfortable with air travel if cabin crew were better educated about visual impairment.
Almost 70 per cent are reluctant to travel by plane because of previous negative experiences and more than half have felt uncomfortable travelling by plane at some point in the past.
Reasons included feeling nervous checking in at the airport, reading the food menu and putting away their luggage.
In response to being asked what would improve the travel experience, 65 per cent said they wanted airlines to undertake training, with the majority feeling more comfortable with air travel if cabin crew were better educated.
Additionally, 59 per cent said they wanted to see airlines consult those with sight loss to improve their policies.
Corneel Koster, Chief Customer and Operations Officer, Virgin Atlantic said: “Our partnership with Guide Dogs is one part of this journey and aims to broaden our understanding of those travelling with sight loss, ensuring that we make flying more accessible for everyone.
“We recognise there’s work to do but are looking forward to making a real impact together.”
John Welsman from Guide Dogs added: “By providing advice to cabin crew and having them undertake sighted guide training, we hope blind and partially-sighted passengers will have the confidence to travel as fully and independently as possible.”
All guide and assistance dogs have a legal right to fly.
Unlike pet dogs, recognised guide and assistance dogs are allowed to travel with their owners in the cabin of the aircraft with UK, European and most international air carriers.
Either floor space in an adjoining seat or across the bulkhead is often provided at no additional charge to guide and assistance dog owners.
