Delta airlines and elderly passengers

My Mom really wants to come over and visit us.  She is elderly and is unable to handle her luggage.  In addition she gets a bit confused getting to the proper gate.  Not to mention getting through passport control.
While we have the funds to pay for her to come over, we can't afford for me to fly to Cincinnati to fly back with her.  The only other person in my family that has a passport is her cousin-he came over with her last time(her first time over) but is unable to do it this time.
Does anyone have any experience with Delta in regards to elderly passengers? It has to be Delta as they are the only non stop airline to London out of Cincy.    She will probably need a wheelchair and definitely need someone to help her through passport/luggage claim/customs. 
I plan on calling them to see what they say but was hoping someone would have first hand experience. 
Thanks

Awww..yeah i'd call them.

My granny (89) flew hawaiian airlines by herself and she has schizophrenia and they were great with her. Allthough she didn't have to go through customs so...that's a little different.

I'd call and see what they'll do...allthough once she's off the plane I'm not sure if it's their job to do anything especially when it comes to immigration and such.

Good luck! That would be a really nice visit for you...i hope she gets to come over.

you can ask for wheelchair assistance from checkin and she shouldn't have to pay any extra......they will escort her all the way thru.........

I do this all the time for passengers.......they should help her from check in all the way thru to arrivals and help with baggage to family members.....

Isn't that direct flight from Cincy wonderful?

I flew it and arrived in Gatwick with a three mo. old and a 3 yr. old.  I was all prepared to leg it alone, popped the baby in a sling, had the stroller.

But this short little Indian man who never stopped smiling passed by with one of those airport cars.  He stopped, put us in, took my passports and went to the front of the immig. line, got our luggage for us, drove through where my husband was waiting and picked him up too! He actually drove us out to our car in the car park!

I am sure this will never happen twice for me....

Anyway, I wonder if you can book one of those cars to help out.....

They should be able to help you out as described.  My mom (when she was still somewhat mobile) traveled occasionally on Delta with wheelchair assistance, etc -- as MeShell described.

I wouldn't worry about passport control either.  You always see people in wheelchairs being escorted by airline staff.  They have a special queue and everything.  I might just send her a letter with all your details and the details of here stay, which  she can take with her and present to the immigration officer with her passport.

Thanks everyone  -sounds like Delta will take care of her. I'll also send her a letter to show immigration.   She will be coming over at the end of May, when our oldest will be out of school for a week due to term break.
 I've actually never flown to London from Cincy as I moved to Houston in 1997 and met my Brit there.  When I did fly in/out of CVG I used to get upset when they would say welcome to Cincinnati-the airport is actually in KY.  Back in the late 80's I  worked for Comair briefly-think I made a whopping $4.50 an hour! 
 

If you get intouch with the airline and they will sort everything out for you on both sides and they will met her at the plane in the UK bring her through immigration and out to you on the other side, you need to do it as soon as you book the ticket as you can get the run about abit, we go back to the USA the end of the month and we have sorted it all out now 4 weeks before and make sure you call 4 days before and the day before to confirm.

Your grandma will have a safe and good journey.

Good luck.

I also thought they had some sort of way you could actually have a family member bring the person to their gate itself - like through check in, passport, security, etc.  I think I've seen what look to be family members doing this even though they are not on the flight itself - like they used to do it in the old days.  But maybe I've only seen that for domestic flights....or maybe I'm just imagining it.   

I don't think so Geetak, not for international flights.

Airlines are very good about helping the elderly..

i know when Caitie flew to DFW last year they wouldn't let me go to the gate with her or go to the gate to pick her up.........

you just need to contact who you did the ticket with and put wheelchair assistance in the booking and the airline with get them from check in to the gate and back off to arrivals....

Also, HantsMamma -- as discussed on another thread here, keep your eyes & ears open for any news on Delta right now...'cause a whole lot could be possibly going on with them in the next 2-3 weeks.

Also, HantsMamma -- as discussed on another thread here, keep your eyes & ears open for any news on Delta right now...'cause a whole lot could be possibly going on with them in the next 2-3 weeks.

Thank you, I'll keep an eye on that.  She is coming over on the 23rd of May.  The only airline that flies direct from CVG is Delta so we didn't have a choice. 
Mom actually called Delta herself and made the reservations.  When I speak to her later tonight I'll double check to make sure she advised them of  needing assistance. 
She originally wanted to come over in August but based on prices she can come over twice (late May and Christmas time) for a little bit more than the price of an August ticket. 
The girls are looking forward to seeing her.   I'm going to start buying bottles of wine now for myself while she is here. 

If you think about it, PM before she goes and I'll see if I know anyone working the flight and will email them thru company email & have them look out for her.

If you think about it, PM before she goes and I'll see if I know anyone working the flight and will email them thru company email & have them look out for her.

Thank you!  When it is closer to the time I'll PM you the details.