Help for pax with hidden disabilities

VIRGIN Atlantic has

rolled out its Hidden

Disabilities scheme,

which aims to ensure

that the airline can

provide assistance to

people with disabilities

without requiring those

passengers to ask for

assistance.

A specially designed

symbol can be worn

as a pin or tucked

away in a passenger’s

passport, alerting Virgin

staff to the passenger’s

disability. The programme

also includes extensive

training for Virgin staff to

ensure that passengers

travelling with

disabilities, and their

families, are given the

assistance they require.

Passengers can work

with the Virgin Atlantic

Special Assistance team

prior to take-off to ensure

escorts for disabled

passengers, priority

boarding and reserved

seating. On board,

inflight entertainment

is provided for blind

passengers, and sign

language-trained crew

can be pre-booked

for hearing-impaired

passengers. The

programme is available

for all Virgin

customers.