Airchair, the leading onboard wheelchair manufacturer has launched Airchair II, specifically designed to comply with US DOT Regulation 14 CFR Part 382.65. Its clever design meets the specific requirements of the regulation, taking into consideration the constraints within today’s aircraft and the needs of passengers with reduced mobility. Airlines and Cabin Crew benefit from using an aisle chair that is lightweight (6.8kg/15lb), easy to stow, deploy and move around the aircraft.
The unique benefit of the Airchair II is the ratio between its weight and its carrying capacity. Airchair II is the only onboard wheelchair weighing just 6.8kg/15lb but with a carrying capacity of up to 250kg/550lb. This carrying capacity is critical to withstand a Suddenly Applied Load (SAP), that can be double the passenger’s body weight. However, the Airchair is lightweight and therefore easy to manoeuvre and stow by the Aircrew.
With accessible travel for all a key focus for legislators and Governments around the world the US Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued a final ruling to amend the Air Carrier Access Act regulation to improve the accessibility of lavatories on single-aisle aircraft for passengers with reduced mobility.
A critical element of this new ruling is that all US airlines and all foreign airlines flying long range, narrowbody aircraft to or from the United States must, by October 2026, comply with specific requirements regarding the design and technical aspects of onboard wheelchairs.
As the leading manufacturer of aisle wheelchairs with a long history of working with the world’s leading airlines, Airchair is launching its new product to provide a safe and economical solution to meet all the latest legal requirements.
Sarah McOnie of Airchair said, “Airchair II demonstrates not just our design and manufacturing capability but also our understanding of the issues affecting both reduced mobility passengers and the airlines. In a really challenging commercial environment airlines need to ensure that any solution meets their space and weight requirements and the Airchair II does just that.”
Airchair II is available in two widths 14”/360mm and 15”/380mm. Its four castors provide 360o rotation for maximum movement, with brakes to secure the aisle chair during passenger transfer. The two rear castors are directional and can be fixed in a forward or backward position for safe, directional travel, making it easy for cabin crew to move passengers around the confines of an aircraft.
Airchair II also has a non-slip footplate with a strap to keep the passenger’s feet secure and incorporates a safety stay that deploys as the chair is opened and locks the ‘X’ frame during use.
The seat and back covers of Airchair II are padded and made from reclaimed ELeather from GenPhoenix. The back rest is easily retracted with a simple ‘push bar’ and enables safe and easy transfer of a passenger from one seat to another. The entire framework is finished with SterilcoatAM, an anti-microbial coating.
For more information on Airchair II visit: https://airchair.global/airchair-2-product-details/
About Airchair
Airchair was developed in 2007 to help airlines match a key regulatory and social requirement to a passenger’s needs. Since that time, Airchair has invested in product design and innovation to produce an aisle wheelchair that meets the needs of today’s airlines, enabling accessible travel for all.
The founder of Airchair has combined his engineering experience with his knowledge of reduced mobility and combined these skills to produce this neat, lightweight and easy to manoeuvre aircraft wheelchair.
The entire design focuses on efficiency and passenger comfort. It is lightweight but remarkably strong, incorporates a unique retracting back support and can be folded small enough that it can be stored in an overhead locker or dog box.
Featured image credited to Airchair
