Air travel

We have all the information you need to take to the skies with confidence and enjoy your flight.

In the airport

Checking in

Many airports have a designated check-in desk and security lane for special assistance passengers. You may also be able to skip queues. Contact your airline to arrange special assist

Security

It is safe to go through security scanners while wearing hearing technology – you do not need to remove hearing aids or processers. However, hearing aids or implants may set off metal detectors.

The magnetic field around scanners can cause a distorted sound for users of hearing technology. This can be uncomfortable, so you may want to turn them off while going through security.

You don’t have to bring proof of why you use your hearing technology. However, some security staff might not have good deaf awareness. For reassurance, you could bring a medical card or letter from your audiologist. 

Some people bring a translation of their medical card or letter in the language of the country they are visiting.

Boarding the plane

Once you have passed security, it’s important to be aware of any announcements about your flight.

Gate announcements, delays and cancellations will be displayed on screens around the terminal. You can also download apps to your smartphone to get real-time information. Airports and airlines will often have their own app available.

Some announcements may only be made over spoken public address systems. Most airports will have an induction loop system, so passengers who use hearing aids or implants can hear announcements clearly. 

At your gate, you can tell the boarding staff that you are deaf and will not be able to hear announcements. They should then come to you in person to tell you about any updates to your flight.

You can also request special assistance from the airport or airline. A staff member will support you to get to the plane.

On the plane

Communicating with crew

When you board, let the cabin crew know that you are deaf. They can then offer support during your journey. This could be:

• explaining updates from the pilot if you can’t hear announcements
• giving you visual safety information or a safety demonstration
• alerting you in an emergency
• telling you about accessibility features on the inflight entertainment

Some airlines have staff trained in deaf awareness and sign language. For example, Virgin Atlantic can now provide BSL-trained cabin crew. Passengers must get in touch to request this at least 12 weeks before their flight.

Taking your seat

Many people like to book a seat in the emergency exit row, as it can offer more leg room and a comfier journey. 

However, passengers sitting in these seats may be asked to help cabin crew in an emergency. Because of this, there are rules about who can sit in an emergency exit row.

Regulations vary between countries and airlines. However, in the UK and EU, passengers in the emergency exit row must:

• be aged 12 or over
• be able to clearly and directly communicate through speech
• have mobility and strength to open the emergency exit doors

If you are concerned about sitting in an emergency exit row, you can contact the airline in advance, speak to check in agents at the airport or cabin crew when you board.

Hearing technology on planes

If you use technology such as hearing aids or implants, you can use these at any time on a plane. You don’t have to turn them off at any point during the flight, even when the crew ask you to turn off electronic devices.

There may be some extra things to think about for hearing technology users while flying.

Pain and discomfort in ears

Both deaf and hearing people may experience pain or discomfort in their ears during a flight. This is because of changes in air pressure.

Some people find this particularly difficult while using hearing technology. It can help to remove hearing aids or processors during take off and landing.

Ambient noise

There is a lot of ambient noise on planes. Some hearing aid users say this makes it more difficult to hear and affects their communication. 

If your child wears a hearing aid and usually uses speech, discuss alternative ways to communicate on the flight if you need them. These could include:

• packing a pen and paper for writing messages.
• practising signs for situations on the plane (for example – asking for a snack or drink).
• using text-to-speech apps on a smartphone or tablet (make sure you can use the app in airplane mode).

Entertainment

Long haul flights will often have seat-back screens, where you can watch a selection of entertainment.

Availability of subtitles can vary between airlines. Unfortunately, some may not offer subtitles at all, or only on selected films and TV shows. Many airlines list their current entertainment options on their website, along with information about closed captioning.

Some newer aircraft have entertainment systems with Bluetooth pairing. This can be used with your own headphones, or in some cases, pair directly with hearing aids or implants. On older aircraft, you may be able to use a Bluetooth transmitter or other streamer to connect with your hearing technology. Ask your audiologist for more information.

You can also bring your own entertainment on board with a tablet or smartphone. Many streaming services allow you to download content temporarily, including free options like BBC iPlayer and Channel 4. This includes films and shows with closed captioning and BSL interpretation. 

You can connect hearing technology or headphones to your device as you would at home. Some airlines may ask you to turn off Bluetooth during take-off and landing.