Rights on Flights

Rights on Flights Statement following our meeting with the Secretary of Transport Louise Haigh MP Rights on Flights Celebrates a Monumental Breakthrough in air travel for the Disability Community The disability community's relentless fight for equity in air travel has taken an unprecedented and urgently needed move towards progress. Today, Rights on Flights, a disabled-led initiative, achieved what many believed impossible: our voices were heard and validated by the highest levels of government. Unlike previous discussions with former administrations, at their groundbreaking meeting with the Secretary of State for Transport, Louise Haigh MP, a commitment to action was made, with a genuine resolve to tackle the challenges disabled people are facing and next steps were outlined. Co-founder & TV host Sophie Morgan says “It was a really positive meeting. We are thrilled to have The Secretary Of State’s clear commitment to improving the experience for disabled passengers and delighted that Rights on Flights, and the work we have done, will play a role in the work the government is doing in this space. This is an important first step in improving disabled passengers’ experiences and holding the aviation industry to account. So, we have take off! Change is in the air!” Roberto Castiglioni MBE Sophie Morgan Jet Gates Martyn Sibley Joshua Wintersgill (BSc, MSc Technology) Christopher Wood MBE

Sophie Morgan and the rest of the RoF team's hard work (Jet Gates, Roberto Castiglioni MBE, Martyn Sibley, Christopher Wood MBE and Joshua Wintersgill (BSc, MSc Technology) is paying off. We eagerly anticipate our upcoming meeting with the Secretary for Transport, Louise Haigh MP and her Team. This is a significant opportunity for us to initiate the roadmap for change and eliminate the last remaining inequalities in air travel.

RoF Offical Statement on the UK Airport Accessibility Report: Rights on Flights are deeply concerned by the recent report published by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We believe it presents an overly optimistic view of accessibility improvements at UK airports and overlooks the systemic failures that we know disabled people are facing. We are heartbroken and enraged that Edinburgh Airport has been rated "Good", despite a Disabled passenger falling to his death in November 2023. Several major airports remain in the 'Needs Improvement' category, which is unsatisfactory. Despite marginal progress in most airports, the report proves to be excessively lenient in failing to adequately address the persistent and catastrophic issues faced by disabled passengers across the U.K. The increased demand for accessibility services highlights the urgent need for more significant investment in staffing and equipment, yet the report glosses over these critical challenges. Never has it been made more obvious that the CAA is funded by the charges it levies on the industry it regulates. We urgently call on the UK Government, specifically Transport Secretary Louise Haigh MP, to take immediate, concrete actions to ensure all passengers, regardless of their mobility or disability status, can travel with dignity and ease. We continue to press for increased regulatory powers and punitive measures. Incremental improvements are not enough to make air travel accessible for all. - Rights on Flights team - Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, 10 Downing Street, Stephen Timms, Sophie Morgan, Roberto Castiglioni MBE, Christopher Wood MBE, Jet Gates, Joshua Wintersgill (BSc, MSc Technology), Martyn Sibley

“Well behaved women seldom make history” Watch “Fight to Fly” tonight at 9pm on Channel 4. Channel 4 Hello Sunshine Sara Rea Sarah Harden Sarah Lazenby Alex Mahon Louisa Compton Rights on Flights Jane Mingay Belle PR Charlotte Belle Tobin https://lnkd.in/dNDetr_k

'“The number of disabled people not flying is increasing,” Morgan says. “We all like staycations, but come on. People also have to fly for work, for health reasons, or to see family. It’s cruel. Pet dogs have more rights on flights than disabled people.” “I’m physically exhausted and I struggle with the emotional responsibility — I get burnt out all the time,” she says. “It’s tough, with politicians wishing I would go away and the industry saying, you’re trouble. I don’t want to be difficult, but you have to be if you want to do something. If I’ve learnt anything, it’s that when you see change happen it has come at the detriment of somebody’s health.” What she really wants isn’t a fight, but to work with the aviation industry to find solutions. And they are out there — the film previews a revolutionary prototype seat that flips up to allow a wheelchair to be strapped in which Delta, the world’s biggest airline, should start fitting in commercial aircraft next year. I say revolutionary, but it actually involves little more than replacing an aircraft’s front seats and removing a few cushions. “That’s where my frustration lies,” Morgan says. “We’re not asking for huge changes. Why is it so hard? If I have to be brutal with myself and answer that question, this is about an industry who I feel doesn’t want us there. But I’m an optimist. I believe that there will be wheelchair users flying in their chairs in the next few years. I have to believe it.”' Thank you to Claire Cohen for articulating our message so perfectly and of course our wonderful Sophie Morgan for your relentless work. Sophie Morgan's Right to Fly this Monday 9pm on Channel 4 and on demand 👏 https://lnkd.in/ec-zaYKi Channel 4, Jet Gates, Christopher Wood MBE, Roberto Castiglioni MBE, Martyn Sibley, Joshua Wintersgill (BSc, MSc Technology), The Times, Maayan Ziv, Alex Mahon

Change begins next Monday, July 22nd.

The fundamental principles that guide Rights on Flights are unwavering in their commitment to inclusivity, equality, fairness, and accountability. This initiative, spearheaded by individuals with disabilities, is centred on developing comprehensive policies to remove the last remaining inequalities in assisted air travel. Our commitment to these principles should reassure you of our dedication to your rights. Over the past eighteen months, the Rights on Flights management team has been unwavering in their commitment, actively convening with government and opposition forces representatives to advocate for the rights of individuals with disabilities in air travel. This concerted effort underscores our commitment to effecting positive change and ensuring that the voices of all air travellers, especially those with disabilities, are heard and considered in the policymaking process. As polling day nears, we wish to remind all our followers of the power of their vote. Every vote matters, every opinion needs to be heard, and every vote represents the most outstanding value every citizen of the United Kingdom has: democracy. Your vote is your voice, and it is significant. Progress requires change, a change that only your vote can deliver. #Inclusion #airtravel #law #politics #policy #generalelection Sophie Morgan, Roberto Castiglioni MBE, Christopher Wood MBE, Joshua Wintersgill (BSc, MSc Technology), Martyn Sibley, Jet Gates

So great to see that airlines are FINALLY listening to us, here is to a brighter future of accessible travel ✈

We are absolutely delighted to announce that we have been nominated for the @ndawards! You have JUST ONE WEEK to vote for us! Click here to send in your nomination: https://lnkd.in/g2h9CR6T We want to show the industry just how much our campaign is shaping disabled peoples lives and striving for independent, hassle free travelling. Sophie Morgan, Christopher Wood MBE, Martyn Sibley, Roberto Castiglioni MBE, Joshua Wintersgill (BSc, MSc Technology), Jet Gates, Maayan Ziv, Rights on Flights, #rightsonflights #nda #nda2024 #nomination #nationalawards #inclusivity

Thank you Jet Gates for giving our new website a new lease of life