Time for a Cuppa!

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Disabled Access with "Air Malta"

After trying other tour operators, this time I decided to fly "Air Malta" to see how they treated disabled travellers? I must admit that they treated me with the utmost courtesy and I felt like a V I P as soon as I entered the tiny Norwich Airport establishment. Firstly I was approached by a delightful lady who was actually working with passengers for SAGA holidays, but she gave up her time to ensure that we had the correct tickets, and when it was pointed out that my son's name was spelt wrong, it was dealt with swiftly and efficiently. Then we were escorted to the check in desk and from there to the departure lounge, where the staff ensured that we were comfortable. We had approximately a one-hour wait, so I took the time to buy some confectionery and magazines for the flight.

Eventually we were called to the desk and after having our boarding passes and passports checked we were escorted to the plane. There was a minor problem here, the ambulance lift that I usually use to get into the plane was not working, and so I wondered how I was going to get on? I needn't have worried, as no sooner had these thoughts left my head, than I was surrounded by four strapping blokes who placed me in an aisle chair and carried me up the stairs and aboard the plane. After I had been placed in my seat, I turned to the four men and apologised, but I was on the wrong plane, and the looks on their faces was hysterical, 'gotcha' I called out and their relieved faces was well worth the joke and they took it in good stead.

It appeared to me that there was a bit extra room between the seats compared to other planes that I had been on? A few minutes later and everyone was aboard and the plane was getting ready for take off. As we hurtled down the runway, Pam grabbed the seat arm and I could see that she was nervous. I decided not to make any jokes about the flight, as I didn't want to distress her. She had confided in me earlier that she didn't like flying, so I thought that she was doing really well in overcoming her fear of flying, to go on holiday. The flight attendants were very professional and courteous, which seemed to calm Pam down a little. The 3-hour flight was so comfortable and smooth that I was able to fall asleep for a while. I think it was the smell of food that woke me up an hour later? We were served our dinner, and I found the meal delicious and very nutritional.

A couple of hours later and the captain informed us that we were on our descent to Malta and we would be landing shortly. After we landed, I, along with other disabled passengers, were politely requested to remain seated until the transport arrived to take us off the plane, and we didn't have long to wait and we were taken off the plane most professionally and the staff ensured that we were in no distress. We were taken through passport control and to the baggage conveyor belt, where we picked up our luggage.

The return journey with "Air Malta" was just as comfortable and the flight staff just as friendly and courteous as the first flight. I would recommend "Air Malta," to anyone. I took some pictures from the window seat, what a view!

Time for a cuppa!

Mike Coatesworth

Pictures of my trip to Malta

More pictures for you to enjoy

Visit my other disability access pages

http://www.btinternet.com/~mikeco158/disaccess2.htm

http://www.btinternet.com/~mikeco158/disabacc.htm

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My novels can be seen at

http://www.btinternet.com/~mikeco158/onetear1.htm

http://www.btinternet.com/~mikeco158/cuppa1.htm

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