UK Airports
LONDON GATWICK AIRPORT, SOUTH TERMINAL
with Virgin Atlantic flights to Tobago, Grenada, Nassau (from 18/07/2005), Cuba (Havana from 21/7/2005.)
Arriving by Rail - If you are arriving by rail and require assistance into the airport terminal, you should contact your local train station; complimentary porter service is offered to the check in desks.
Arriving by Car - For those passengers arriving by car, there is a short term parking for orange badge/blue badge holders in car park three of South Terminal. A telephone showing the international wheelchair symbol is located near the designated parking spaces and can be used to call for assistance into the terminal from McLellan Airport Services.
To book long-term parking contact NCP on 0800 128 128 or Parking Express on 0870 844 4080.
Arriving at the Departures Level - Passengers arriving at the departures level can call for assistance by using the telephone located inside the entrance. Assistance from the Gatwick Hilton can be obtained from the porter's desk located at the reception. A porter will assist you through to check in, if required.
Hearing Impaired Passengers - There is a minicom system located at the BAA Information Desk and Induction loops at the bureau exchange counters and banks.
Check-in - Passengers requiring special assistance will need to make themselves known at the Virgin Holidays Ticket Desk and our staff will assist you to the appropriate check in desk.
LONDON HEATHROW, TERMINAL 3, Zone A
with Virgin Atlantic flights to Boston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Orlando, San Francisco, South Africa and Washington.
Arriving by Car -For those passengers arriving by car, there are parking spaces for orange/blue badge holders on level 2 in car park 3. This is for short-term stay only. There is assistance available and passengers can request this by using the telephone just before the walk way into the terminal.
The long-term car park is located in Cranford lane, off Eastchurch Road. Free courtesy coaches connect the long-term park with the terminals. Contact the car park reception for assistance on arrival. On your return, use the telephone by the long-term car park bus stops to request a special coach. Passengers arriving at the coach terminal by coach should ask their hostess to contact the Helpline on their behalf.
Hearing Impaired Passengers - Deaf loops are available for the hard of hearing and are located at the BAA information desk in the Arrivals Hall.
Check-in - Passengers requiring special assistance will need to make themselves know to either a Virgin Holidays Representative or a Virgin Atlantic member of staff to assist them to an appropriate check in desk.
MANCHESTER AIRPORT, TERMINAL 1
with bmi flights to Barbados, Antigua and St Lucia
Arriving by Rail - If you are arriving by rail and require assistance into the airport terminal, you should contact your local train station who will arrange for a Customer Liaison Assistant to meet you and assist you to the terminal transfer bus, the majority of which have wheelchair lifts.
Arriving by Car - Passengers who are being dropped off should be taken to the entrance of Terminal 1 and make their way to the BMI check in area. There are no porters to assist with luggage at the check in hall area.
For those wishing to use the short term car park, there are designated parking spaces plus there is a special assistance telephone at Level 5 at Terminal 1 Car Park. Car parking spaces at the short term car park can be pre booked at long term car parking rates for disabled badges users by calling 0161 489 8583 or 0161 489 3723. You will need to book at least 7 days prior to your departure and provide details of your name, address, date of travel, orange/blue badge number and car registration number.
Hearing Impaired Passengers - Minicom Systems are available in Terminals 1, 2 & 3 and are located at each of the Manchester Airport Information Desks, which are situated in the arrival halls in each terminal, landside. Induction loops are also at the Information Desks and at various points throughout the airport near the payphones.
Check-in - Passengers requiring special assistance will need to make themselves known to the BMI Special Services Staff, visible by their yellow shirts. They can be found in the check in area and will direct disabled passengers to a suitable check in desk.
LONDON HEATHROW, TERMINAL 3, Zone A
with Virgin Atlantic flights to Boston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Orlando, San Francisco, South Africa and Washington.
Arriving by Car -For those passengers arriving by car, there are parking spaces for orange/blue badge holders on level 2 in car park 3. This is for short-term stay only. There is assistance available and passengers can request this by using the telephone just before the walk way into the terminal.
The long-term car park is located in Cranford lane, off Eastchurch Road. Free courtesy coaches connect the long-term park with the terminals. Contact the car park reception for assistance on arrival. On your return, use the telephone by the long-term car park bus stops to request a special coach. Passengers arriving at the coach terminal by coach should ask their hostess to contact the Helpline on their behalf.
Hearing Impaired Passengers - Deaf loops are available for the hard of hearing and are located at the BAA information desk in the Arrivals Hall.
Check-in - Passengers requiring special assistance will need to make themselves know to either a Virgin Holidays Representative or a Virgin Atlantic member of staff to assist them to an appropriate check in desk.
Barbados
BARBADOS AIRPORT
Wheelchair Assistance - On your arrival into Barbados airport assistance can be provided from the aircraft . On your return journey assistance can be offered from the check in desk through to either the departure gate or to the aircraft door. Please note there is no jetty at Barbados airport and those passengers who are unable to manage aircraft steps will either descend the aircraft via an Ambulift or if not available will be carried on and off the plane by ground staff.
Luggage - Porters are available at the entrance to the Terminal to provide assistance with your luggage for a gratuity of EC$ 2 or US$ 1 (minimum) per bag.
Check-in at Barbados - The BMI Check in Desk is located just inside the Terminal and close to the transfer drop off point.
Rental Cars - A member of staff from the rental company will be awaiting your arrival and a card with the 'Drivamatic' name will be held up in full view. The paperwork will be completed at this stage and the car will be brought to the Terminal entrance for you.
BARBADOS EXCURSIONS AND ATTRACTIONS
There are a limited amount of excursions available for passengers with mobility problems:
Discover Barbados - This is a great island tour via coach. Please note that there are a couple of steps to get onto the coach.
Harbour Master Day Cruise - This cruise has three levels. Wheelchair users can board the boat and then crew will assist up the steps to further decks, if required.
Atlantis Submarine - Discover the fabulous underwater world in a submarine. If you are unable to manage the submarine steps the crew will be willing to assist in lifting and carrying passengers.
Bajan Helicopter - Crew will assist wheelchair users on and off the helicopter, if required.
Tropical Spectacular - A spectacular evening with dinner, drinks, floor show and a live band. The building is on the ground floor with no steps to access, however, there are approximately six steps to reach the buffet. The staff are very accommodating and if requested will assist serving food and drink to your table.
Starlight Dinner Cruise - Dinner, Drinks and a show under the moonlight. This cruise is on three levels. Wheelchair users can board the boat and crew will assist guests up the steps to further decks, if required.
Jeep Safari - The jeep is high off the ground and also has two steep steps up into it. The tour can be quite bumpy as the jeep will be travelling on dirt roads and there is a limited amount of space in the jeep. However, our overseas staff will be willing to look into booking an island tour by taxi, if required.
Catamaran Cruise - The cruise takes you round the Barbados coastline and is easily accessible for passengers with limited mobility, however, not suitable for wheelchair users.
St Lucia
ST LUCIA AIRPORT
Wheelchair Assistance -On your arrival into St Lucia airport assistance can be provided from the aircraft to the transfer area. On your return journey assistance can be offered from the check in desk through to either the departure gate or to the aircraft door. Please note there is no jetty or ambulift at St Lucia airport and those passengers who are unable to manage aircraft steps will be carried on and off the plane by ground staff.
Check-in at St Lucia - The BMI Check in desks are located just inside the Airport Terminal and the Virgin Holidays Desk can be found to the right of this.
Luggage - The luggage trolleys are located in arrivals and can be used at no extra charge. Unfortunately, these are not allowed past the customs area.
Porters are available here and throughout the airport to provide assistance with your luggage, for a gratuity of $1 - $2 per bag.
Rental Cars - If a car has been booked through Sunset Crest Car Rentals a representative will be waiting on your arrival with a named board, the car will be located outside the Terminal.
ST LUCIA EXCURSIONS AND ATTRACTIONS
Many of the excursions offered by Virgin Holidays can be altered to cater for individual requirements.
Boat excursions - Virgin Holidays Representative will arrange for A member of the crew to assist in lifting permanent wheelchair users onboard.
Jeep Safari - it is a requirement to be able to board the vehicle and a front seat will be arranged for any disabled travellers through the overseas representative.
For further information on excursions our overseas Virgin Holidays Representative will be happy to run through the options with you on arrival into St. Lucia.
Tobago
TOBAGO AIRPORT
Wheelchair Assistance -Wheelchair assistance can be provided from the aircraft to the transfer area on your arrival into Tobago airport. On your return journey assistance can be offered from the check in desk through to either the departure gate or to the aircraft door.
Please note there is no jetty or Ambulift at Tobago airport and those passengers who are unable to manage aircraft steps will be carried on and off the plane by ground staff.
Check-in at Tobago - The Virgin Atlantic check in desk is located on the eastern side of the check in counters within the terminal. Please note that this is located just inside the terminal and we advise disabled passengers to check in at the 'Plane Helpful' desk.
Luggage - Luggage trolleys are free of charge and can be taken from the luggage carousel to the arrivals area.
TOBAGO EXCURSIONS AND ATTRACTIONS
If you have mobility problems we recommend you speak to a Virgin Holidays Representative in resort, they will assist you in booking a tour that will be customised to meet your individual needs.
Antigua
ANTIGUA AIRPORT
Wheelchair Assistance - On your arrival into Antigua airport assistance can be provided from the aircraft to the transfer area. On your return journey assistance can be offered from the check in desk through to either the departure gate or to the aircraft door. Please note there is no jetty or ambulift at Antigua airport and those passengers who are unable to manage aircraft steps will be carried on and off the plane by ground staff.
Check-in at Antigua - Priority Check In is given to those passengers with special needs, a member of staff will approach you in the queue and will assist you to the appropriate Check in desk.
Rental Cars - The Dollar Depot is located just outside the arrival hall.
ANTIGUA EXCURSIONS AND ATTRACTIONS
There are a few excursions that are accessible that Virgin Holidays would be able to arrange.
Ocean Catamaran Cruises - are accessible; crew will assist you on and off board for a comfortable cruise. However, a dinghy is sometimes used to get passengers to and from shore.
Tour of the Island - Island tours can arrange a tour of the Island by taxi, instead of jeep.
Please contact the Customer Care Department for further details.