Need help with airport to airport guide

[Jho369 13]

Does anyone have any recommendation or know such service to help our parents get to their destination? I’ve seen people standing at the gate with a sign with the name guiding the elderly or non English travelers but that was before COVID. Our parents are a bit older and do not speak English. We need them to get from Vietnam to US. 
 

Thank you!

[Hoa Nguyen 26]

If they are very elderly and have no problem with being wheeled around, you can request handicap services when buying the tickets and they will be escorted in wheelchairs to their destinations in the airports.

[Jho369 13]

18 minutes ago, Hoa Nguyen said:

If they are very elderly and have no problem with being wheeled around, you can request handicap services when buying the tickets and they will be escorted in wheelchairs to their destinations in the airports.

Fortunately, they are not that old and I told my wife they may not be comfortable being in a wheel chair when they are perfectly healthy 😂

[JasonGG 280]

Which airports are they going through?

[Jho369 13]

6 hours ago, JasonGG said:

Which airports are they going through?

We are not sure yet but going from VN to TPA with stops. We haven’t bought the ticket yet. Does it matter which airport for the guide service?

[JasonGG 280]

6 hours ago, Jho369 said:

We are not sure yet but going from VN to TPA with stops. We haven’t bought the ticket yet. Does it matter which airport for the guide service?

I asked about the airport because I am assuming you are most concerned about their transiting between flights.  Depending on where their connecting fight is, the guide service might not be necessary.  Tokyo-Narita had dozens of airport staff greeting every passenger and directing us where we needed to go, even walking some passengers to transit security.  Not sure if they continued guiding them after transit security, but when  connecting from one ANA flight to another at Narita, the arrival and departure gates were always in the same wing of the airport. 

 

Many larger airports also provide golf cart service for anyone willing to pay the fee to bring them from transit security to their gate.  Seoul was a lot of walking, but lots of staff before and after transit to assist.  Beijing was always a nightmare.  Very confusing.  Huge and always quite empty.  Security staff are unfriendly.  Queues were disorganized and lots of pushing and yelling.  I don't go through Beijing anymore regardless of the ticket price. 

 

The people holding signs as you get off the airplane are usually waiting for someone who requested wheelchair service.  As mentioned already, it can be requested when purchasing tickets and also when checking in at the airport. I have also seen passengers arrange this service with flight attendants.  Korean Airlines and the Japanese airlines seemed to be the most helpful to older passengers.  I have seen the same passengers get wheelchair service beginning in Vietnam (arranged at check in), had it waiting for them at the transit airport, and again waiting for them at the U.S. destination.  At Dulles at least, it service brought them through customs, baggage claim, and out to the sidewalk to their hotel shuttle.  They don't have to be very old or have trouble walking to request the service, and in many instances, it will be a golf cart they ride in, not a wheelchair.

 

No matter what airport they go to after leaving Vietnam, there will likely be many other Vietnamese transiting with them.  My wife and I are always happy to assist other passengers who seem lost or don't speak English.  There will be plenty of other passengers who will be happy to assist your parents, too. 🙂

 

Jason

 

 

 

 

 

[Stein 276]

I also support going through Tokyo-Narita.  Just went through there myself less than 24 hours ago when I brought my family home today.  It is my favorite transfer point coming from HCMC to US. I have done several connecting SE Asian connections the last few years.   Also it's one of the more accessible stops right now.  Today in fact it was the ONLY scheduled international flight this morning from HCMC.  Tan Son Nhat was a ghost town this morning.  

 

Also if they are going soon the flights were very empty.  There was only 15 people on the HCMC - Tokyo flight and less than 50 on the Tokyo-Chicago flight.  They did basically guide the few passengers to the connecting flights.

[JasonGG 280]

3 hours ago, Stein said:

I also support going through Tokyo-Narita.  Just went through there myself less than 24 hours ago when I brought my family home today.  It is my favorite transfer point coming from HCMC to US. I have done several connecting SE Asian connections the last few years.   Also it's one of the more accessible stops right now.  Today in fact it was the ONLY scheduled international flight this morning from HCMC.  Tan Son Nhat was a ghost town this morning.  

 

Also if they are going soon the flights were very empty.  There was only 15 people on the HCMC - Tokyo flight and less than 50 on the Tokyo-Chicago flight.  They did basically guide the few passengers to the connecting flights.

Welcome back!  Hope everyone settles in quickly.

[Jho369 13]

4 hours ago, Stein said:

I also support going through Tokyo-Narita.  Just went through there myself less than 24 hours ago when I brought my family home today.  It is my favorite transfer point coming from HCMC to US. I have done several connecting SE Asian connections the last few years.   Also it's one of the more accessible stops right now.  Today in fact it was the ONLY scheduled international flight this morning from HCMC.  Tan Son Nhat was a ghost town this morning.  

 

Also if they are going soon the flights were very empty.  There was only 15 people on the HCMC - Tokyo flight and less than 50 on the Tokyo-Chicago flight.  They did basically guide the few passengers to the connecting flights.

Thanks. I flew back a few times before and I love Narita. I will just book a handicapped service so they can get the help they need and hopefully there are other Vietnamese traveler that can help them.