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New CAA guidance given to airlines on dealing with hidden disabilities

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The Civil Aviation Authority issued new instructions to UK airlines yesterday on how they should treat passengers with ‘hidden disabilities’, including the deaf and blind.

The new guidance requires airlines to:

Have a clear and accessible pre-notification system in place allowing passengers to request special assistance at the point of booking

Civil Aviation Authority hidden disabilities

Share information about a passenger’s assistance needs within their own organisation and with the airport and ground handling agents 

Ensure a passenger with a hidden disability is seated with a travelling companion at no extra cost

Invest in quality training for staff so hidden disabilities can be identified and passengers assisted accordingly

Ensure passengers with hidden disabilities are looked after in the event of flight delays and cancellations

If you want to know more, the full CAA guidance can be found here.

Comments (140)

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  • BlueHorizonUK says:

    OT : Just got email from Diners Club welcoming me and saying cards on the way

  • Dr Tom says:

    I can’t find the fare rules for Barcelona, but seems to be a minimum two night stay.

  • faithy says:

    Suggestions please.
    Looking for luxury countryside hotel in the UK. Will use point redemption on any scheme.
    Best places you have stayed at? Thanks

    • Rob says:

      When it opens soon, it will be The Langley via Marriott. Nothing super luxe today on points (eg Chewton Glen, Whatley Manor, Lime Wood, FS Hampshire, Cowley Manor etc)

    • Peter K says:

      It’s not on points but I really enjoyed The Lake Country House and Spa at Llangammarch Wells, Brecon Beacons.

  • Jx says:

    OT my gold Amex charge card is being declined quite a lot recently – by Dominos and Selfidges (so can’t use saved offers!) transaction is going through on Amex side and showing as pending but then later refunding. Amex say it’s not an issue on their side and they’re approving the transactions… Anyone else having issues?

  • Mr(s) Entitled says:

    GOOD NEWS FOR ANYONE FLYING TO BCN

    I recently went to Barcelona and in my 5star hotel room was a free iPhone. Result!

    • Shoestring says:

      I was on a boat and found one free at the table! Great result.

    • Rob says:

      Bizarrely I am standing at stand C63 at PMI awaiting a flight to a 5-star hotel in BCN …..

  • Kai says:

    Flew MXP-LHR yesterday (CE) and catering was supplied by Do&Co, easily the best cold plate I’ve had on an European flight. I thought the switch was to happen much later?

    • Rob says:

      Do&Co has picked up LHR CE since the recent change.

    • Bonglim says:

      I heard that it was a gradual shift between October and the end of the year. Maybe you just got lucky that your route was changing first.

      I have had only a couple club world trips so far, one to JFK and one to BKK. There was no comparison on the food, with JFK being far superior.
      I suspect/ had not realised that it was because JFK was Do&Co, but that makes perfect sense now.

      I am flying first to Houston in late November, first time in first, hoping the food will be another step up from the JFK flight.
      Also have a flight booked in CW to Cancun next year, but that is from LGW so not Do&Co. :-(.

  • Richard E says:

    Couldn’t find any flights at that price ? All gone ?

  • JohnW says:

    O/T: I’m very nearly at my £50k Curve annual limit. Has anyone had any success in accidentally ‘losing’ their Curve card and it then being replaced with a new one where you can start afresh on another £50k?

    Or is my only option to get a Curve card for my wife and getting a new allowance that way?

    • Shoestring says:

      yes, I think so from memory

      • JohnW says:

        Nice one, thanks Harry.

        Will give it a go and report back…

        • rams1981 says:

          losing it doesn’t work. Wife best way to go

        • Axel says:

          How about upgrading to Black from Blue does that reset the spend?

        • Genghis says:

          Losing doesn’t work. Been there, tried that.
          @Axel that doesn’t work either as I know someone who tried recently.
          Though full change from the “pre-paid” to debit did.

    • KevMc says:

      Losing it worked for me, but not for Mrs Mc.

      I assume I was the anomaly, although I only tried it following a suggestion by someone in the comments section a few months ago, so I guess that is at least 2 successful resets.

      I am assuming the best (and possibly only option) in future is going to be to sign up to their new card when they launch next month, which will include a monthly/annual fee. If this fee is small enough, I will be looking to upgrade Mrs Mc immediately, and myself once my £50k limit is reached again.

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