The Flight to Rome, Italy

Our first far away trip was a cruise in the Mediterranean. We bought our tickets and flew to Rome, Italy (Fiumicino-Leonardo da Vinvi Airport) http://www.rome-airport.info from Miami International Airport http://www.miami-airport.com  We flew with Airberlin  (only reason was they were the cheapest). Some airlines give the disabled person (limited mobility) and one companion the better coach seats for free. When boarding the plane they will board families with children and disabled passengers first, but if you need assistance getting off the airplane then you will be that last to come off.  They stored Derek's electric wheelchair which weights 304lbs (140kilos) in a cargo bin.  We then flew for 9 hours straight to Düsseldorf, Germany where we changed planes and then boarded another plane which flew us 2 hours to Rome, Italy. The airport in Italy is wheelchair accessible. The people there were very nice and most spoke some English. They helped me with my bags and Derek's other wheelchair (portable). We checked Derek's electric wheelchair in Miami and gate checked his portable wheelchair. That way we could have it in our connection. They do have wheelchairs at the airports but Derek's portable wheelchair is not like the regular ones. His reclines to help with blood pressure issues he might have. When they brought his portable chair to us in Germany we noticed that the armrest was broken. Oh well..not sure where they did that but we did not complain at baggage claim (which you can do). We were just so tired! Derek sat in the airplane for over 9 hours with occasionally standing him up to relieve pressure. He's a trouper. Coach seating stinks but everything else was way to expensive. There is no leg room and for a person with no or limited mobility it really stinks! Best seat are bulkhead seats! No one in front of you and more leg room.