How to Fly with FOLD & GO
Planning Ahead for Your Flight with Your FOLD & GO Wheelchair
GATE CHECK: If the Cabin Closet Is Full, Your FOLD & GO Will Be Stowed Beneath the Aircraft
Traveling with your FOLD & GO Wheelchair is easy when you plan ahead. With a little preparation, you can ensure a smooth and stress-free journey. Follow these tips to make sure your wheelchair is ready to travel:
1. Review Airline Policies
Before your trip, check your airline’s specific policies regarding mobility devices. Most airlines follow FAA regulations, but it’s always a good idea to confirm details about wheelchair handling, gate-check procedures, and any required documentation.
2. Download Your MSDS Certificate
Your FOLD & GO Wheelchair comes with an MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) Certificate, which outlines all the crash tests our batteries have undergone and proves FAA compliance. Download for FREE and print this document to bring with you on your trip. The airline or pilot may ask for it during check-in.
3. Use Our Travel Placards
Attach FOLD & GO Travel Placards to your wheelchair and travel cover. These placards provide key information in a convenient, luggage-tag format. We recommend using one on your chair’s frame and another on your Airline Travel Protection Cover.
4. Secure an Airline Travel Protection Cover
Protect your wheelchair from scratches, dirt, and potential mishandling with our Airline Travel Protection Cover. It’s a must-have for frequent flyers and ensures your chair arrives at your destination in great condition. Watch the above Video to see the process for installing the bag on your FOLD & GO.
5. Keep Batteries Inside the Chair
FAA regulations require that lithium-ion batteries remain installed in your wheelchair. The batteries in your FOLD & GO chair are safely housed within the metal frame, meeting all safety standards.
6. Arrive Early and Be Ready to Drive
Arrive at the airport early to allow extra time for security checks and boarding. The best part? You can drive your FOLD & GO wheelchair around the airport! Use it to visit restaurants, restrooms, shops, or simply relax at your gate.
7. NEVER Baggage Check Your Chair
Never check your wheelchair as baggage. Standard luggage conveyors can cause serious damage. Instead, always gate-check your chair so it’s handled with greater care and returned promptly at the aircraft door—not at baggage claim.
8. Ensure Your Chair is in Perfect Condition (1-2 Months Before Flight)
Before your trip, check your FOLD & GO Wheelchair to make sure it doesn’t need any repairs or maintenance. Inspect the wheels, frame, and electrical system to ensure everything is functioning smoothly. If you notice any issues, reach out to our Service Team at 512-817-FOLD (3653), press option 3, for assistance before your flight. Traveling with a fully operational chair ensures a hassle-free experience.
Travel Confidently with FOLD & GO
By taking these steps, you’ll be ready for a seamless travel experience with your FOLD & GO Wheelchair. Our wheelchair is FAA-compliant, airport-friendly, and designed to make your journey as comfortable as possible. Have questions or need additional travel tips? Contact us anytime—we’re here to help!
How to Fly with Your MagSHOCK® - Step by Step Real Life Footage
✈️ FlyReady™ Air Travel Bundle – Protect Your Chair from Damage
Why Air Travel Is Different for Power Wheelchairs
Flying with a power wheelchair is not the same as checking a suitcase.
During air travel, your chair may be handled by multiple teams, moved through tight cargo spaces, and lifted using equipment designed for luggage—not mobility devices. Most damage doesn’t happen out of negligence, but from misunderstanding how a power wheelchair should be handled.
That’s where preparation matters.
How the FlyReady™ Air Travel Bundle Helps
The FlyReady™ Air Travel Bundle was designed to reduce the most common risks associated with airline travel by:
- Clearly communicating critical handling instructions to airline staff
- Helping protect sensitive components during loading and unloading
- Reducing confusion at gate check and baggage return
- Giving you a consistent, repeatable travel setup for every flight
Instead of explaining your chair from scratch at every airport, FlyReady™ helps your chair speak for itself.
Travel with Confidence
Airline policies vary, but preparation makes a measurable difference. Whether you’re flying for the first time or travel frequently, the FlyReady™ Bundle helps you approach air travel with clarity, confidence, and peace of mind—before takeoff and after landing.
Pushback from Airlines? Here’s What You Need to Know & How to Handle Any Problems
Where are the batteries?
In many cases, airline personnel mistakenly believe the black CPU box located under the seat is the battery. It’s not. Our batteries are encased within the frame of the chair and are not exposed. Please take a moment to explain this to Airline Crew & Staff if needed, education goes a long way.
Battery Compliance & Testing
Our wheelchairs carry a UN3481 designation, which means the lithium-ion batteries are contained within the equipment, similar to your phone, laptop, or tablet. This designation was officially assigned by both the FAA and IATA, and it applies specifically to our patented, weatherproof, one-of-a-kind mobility devices. Removing our batteries is no more accessible—or necessary—than removing a laptop battery mid-flight.
Joystick Removal for During Flight
Before placing your chair in the airline travel protection cover, ALWAYS remove the joystick. This ensures that the wheelchair is unable to turn on during flight. By removing the joystick prior to flight, it prevents inadvertent activation during transit. Take the joystick ON BOARD with you, do not put in checked baggage.