Welcome aboard Air Aging Research!
We are delighted to have you flying with us today!
Whether you’re jet-setting on a big international trip or taking a short flight to visit family and friends, as you prepare for your next air travel journey, we’d like to review a few important “flight procedures” to help make your travel day as smooth, safe, and enjoyable as possible. Please direct your attention to the safety card – or in this case, the tips below.
Pre-Flight Safety Check: Planning Goes a Long Way
The boarding pass on your phone is perfectly acceptable. A printed copy tucked inside a folder is also perfectly acceptable. Bringing both is considered advanced travel.
A great trip starts before you leave home. A simple, thought-out travel plan can help reduce stress and make it easier to handle the unexpected. Before your departure, gather these essentials in one place:
- Emergency contacts
- Healthcare provider contact information
- Flight, transportation, hotel, and any other excursion confirmations
- A current medication list (including dosages)
- Copies of important travel documents and identification cards
- Airline help numbers and accessibility desk contact information
If you’re flying within the United States, make sure your driver’s license or identification meets Real ID requirements. As of May 7, 2025, travelers without an acceptable form of Real ID will have to pay a $45 fee. If you are unsure or do not have an updated Real ID, you can travel with another acceptable form of ID, such as a passport.
If you’re traveling internationally, confirm that your passport is valid well before your departure date, since renewals can take time. In the case that you need to renew your passport, you can do so either online or in-person, following these steps.
Build Time into Your Itinerary
Today’s flight time includes generous layovers. We recommend enjoying them.
One of the best travel strategies is also the simplest: don’t rush.
Give yourself extra time to get to the airport, check in, move through security, and find your gate. Airports are large, unexpected delays happen, and hurrying increases the risk of falls or unnecessary stress.
If your flight is delayed or plans change, airline staff are there to help. Keeping your airline’s customer service number handy can save valuable time and ease stress.
Request Assistance – Before You Need It
Should you require wheelchair assistance, notify your airline before departure. Waiting until you’re standing in the security line is not considered an emergency procedure.
Before your travel day, contact your airline to request wheelchair assistance or other accessibility services, including ambulatory support. Most major airlines offer these services at no additional cost and allow you to request them online through dedicated phone lines and digital request forms.
These services aren’t just for travelers who regularly use a wheelchair. Many older adults who are comfortable walking short distances choose to request mobility assistance to avoid long walks between check-in, security, gates, and/or connecting flights. Airlines can offer varying levels of support to meet your needs, so it’s important to coordinate in advance.
If you didn’t arrange assistance in advance, you can still visit your airline’s check-in counter or airport assistance desk after arriving. While same-day assistance is often available, making these arrangements ahead of time is the best way to minimize wait times and ensure the support you need is available upon your arrival.
Cabin Safety: Comfort Begins Before Boarding
Confirm you have your medications, mobility aids, travel documents, and medical needs handy in your personal item — the illumination of the “buckle seatbelt” sign is not the ideal time to discover your medication is in an overhead bin in Row 28.
Once you’ve reached your gate, know that you’re almost there! Before boarding, take a moment to use the restroom and get water. Staying hydrated is important while traveling, and so is beginning your flight without needing an early trip to the restroom onboard.
When settling in your seat, feel free to store your larger luggage in the overhead bin. Flight attendants and fellow travelers can assist you if necessary, so don’t be afraid to ask. However, be sure that the essentials you may need during your trip are accessible in your personal item under the seat in front of you:
- Medications
- Medical devices
- Glasses
- Travel documents
- Change of clothes
Know Where Help Is
Our crew members are here for your safety. Airport staff are there to help. Asking for assistance is smart travel, not an inconvenience.
Even the best-planned trips can encounter “turbulence”. Before leaving the airport, take note of where you can find:
- Customer service counters and information desks
- Accessibility or wheelchair assistance desks
- Accessible restrooms
Knowing where these resources are located can make unexpected situations much less stressful. Especially if you need to be reunited with your mobility and/or assistive devices, coordinating this in advance with your airline and knowing who to contact will be key. Your aide may be waiting for you at the gate, and/or airport staff can help transport you to your destination.
Helpful Resource: The Sunflower Lanyard
As you navigate the airport, security checkpoints, and boarding, there are additional resources that you can utilize. Alliance Board Member and Patient Advocate, Jay Reinstein, recently spoke about the Sunflower Lanyard; a discreet way to let staff know you have a hidden condition and may need a little extra support. Learn more about the Sunflower Lanyard initiative and how to get your own here.
Enjoy The Journey
Travel is not a race. The best reward is making it to your destination – there is no prize for getting anywhere first.
Keep your seatbelt fastened whenever seated, pace yourself as you move through the airport, and don’t feel pressured to keep up with faster travelers. Save your energy and make sure to collect all of your personal belongings with you.
Thank you for your attention during today’s safety briefing. We hope these tips help you feel more confident, prepared, and ready to enjoy the adventure ahead.
Safe travels, and thanks for flying with Air Aging Research!
Lauren Belsky serves as the Development Coordinator for the Alliance for Aging Research.
