One advantage to flying business aircraft is that your passengers get greater throughput speeds because they're not competing for the limited in-cabin bandwidth available per passenger that can be the case on airliner aircraft. Depending on the flight department's budget, your aircraft can be equipped with the latest and greatest inflight entertainment and communications (IFEC) technology. The air carriers are catching up, however, thanks to new high bandwidth Ku- and Ka-band satcom content transmission services.

Since guide dogs, alert dogs and other animals often accompany disabled people in their travels, be sure to consider not only where the animal will be stationed once aboard the aircraft, but where the animal will be able to relieve itself before, during and after long flights. Also, define who is responsible for providing escort assistance to an airport service animal relief area and how passengers accompanied by a service animal can obtain assistance for this purpose. And bring a scooper, just in case.

Transporting disabled passengers carries extra responsibilities and planning. Dealing with an emergency will likely require alternate procedures that should be clearly defined and reviewed before flight by the crew and the passenger (or accompanying assistant, if one is present). In a cabin depressurization, for example, how will the disabled passenger be fitted with an oxygen mask? In the event of a crash that damages the primary exit, how will the passenger be assisted in deplaning? For more on crash survival, see “Get Out! Get Out! (BCA, June 2013, page 26).