Accessibility
 

Hello,
What airports in Europe are the best in accessibility for the disabled?
Climbing steps is the main concern.
Thanks.

I can't think of one major airport anywhere in the world that did not have elevators.

Yes to elevators most everywhere, inside the terminals. But many airports still use remote stands for aircraft which require climbing stairs up/down to/from the bus.

While there are very limited access problems within airports, there are some difficulties with getting on and off aircraft at Heathrow and CDG.

British Airways has yet to complete the C section of T5. (They would have faced at least a 24 month delay in opening T5 if they waited for the last section to be completed.) Because of that, many flights must be boarded or unloaded across stairs. On a recent itinerary, stairs were required on 3 of 4 of flights.

But, if you advise the flight attendants on any flight to LHR (do not depend on the gate agents, they have far too many things to deal with at boarding) that assistance is required, they will order a high lift truck as soon as they learn that the plane will be unloading at steps. You will have to wait until the aisles clear to get to the truck, but the staff are very skilled and unfailingly patient. They will get you to the terminal without any steps in less time than the last people boarding the bus.

Departing LHR, if your flight is listed for departure from A10, it will be using a bus to the aircraft and steps. Report to the gate as soon as possible, find the gate agent for your flight among the eight (I think) sub-gates and they will order a truck for you. BTW, the truck is similar to the catering trucks in use at the airport, equipped with carpets, seats, ample space for luggage and rolling chairs, and a leveling system. The truck will get you to the plane as soon as the catering trucks are clear and you are likely to board before any other passengers are on the plane.

At CDG, there are some problems at T2. It is possible to go through security and find yourself on the wrong side of a center divider that has no pass through. At 2A, there is an elevator at the divider, followed by a short transfer to another elevator through a dining area. I am not familiar with the other terminals. It is also common to have to deplane or board via stairs at 2A. I have no experience with getting assistance at CDG, perhaps someone on this board can advise you of the procedure there.

The situation that Jeff describes at LHR can also exist at FRA. Though it's not common (at least it hasn't been common for us), some flights can disembark using ramps and then buses to the terminals. Just advise the FAs and they'll arrange for the appropriate assistance upon arrival if the plane is not being assigned to a gate at a terminal.

Super. Thanks to all...especially Jeff for all the details!