Disabled passengers will be able to fly without a carer on Virgin Blue Airlines after the carrier announced major changes to its travel criteria.
The changes, to come into force on Thursday night, mean some passengers with special needs will have the choice of travelling independently.
Equality campaigners have welcomed the move, with Disability Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes congratulating the airline for introducing a “less-restrictive policy”.

Three cheers for common sense!
Huh, isn’t it against US law anyway to deny boarding because of a disability?
Sorry, I didn’t read that Virgin Blue is Australian… Shame on me!
No worries. Australian airlines have been a long time coming around to the civil rights of disabled passengers.
It’s unfortunate that these things take so long, but at least one small victory in an ongoing battle.