Journey Air Elite Max
The lightest chair Journey builds at 24.25 lbs., and the strongest at 330 lbs. of capacity. Two 12Ah batteries switch over automatically for up to 19.8 miles, and the carbon fiber frame folds to 12.5" wide.
24.25 lbs. of carbon fiber that carries 330 lbs.
The chair that stops the usual trade between weight and capacity. The carbon fiber frame weighs 24.25 lbs. without its batteries, which is the lightest of Journey's five power chairs, and it still carries 330 lbs., which is the highest. Two 12Ah lithium batteries at 3.37 lbs. each hand over to one another automatically for up to 19.8 miles, roughly double anything else in the range. The seat is 17.7" wide with an 18" backrest, the LED controller shows speed and mileage and charges a phone over USB, and it folds to 36" x 12.5" x 38.5".
Built for real life
What stands out
Two batteries that hand over on their own
Two 24V 12Ah lithium batteries at 3.37 lbs. each are rated to 19.8 miles together, roughly double anything else Journey builds. The chair switches from one to the other by itself, and both lift out so the frame goes into a car at 24.25 lbs.
24.25 lbs. that still carries 330 lbs.
The carbon fiber frame is the lightest of Journey's five power chairs and the only one rated to 330 lbs. It folds to 36" x 12.5" x 38.5" and stands upright, so it takes a slice of a trunk rather than the whole thing.
A 17.7" seat and an 18" backrest
Wider and taller than the Air Elite, on memory foam cushions, with 19.75" between the arm rails and a seat 20.3" off the floor. A 9.5" x 12" backrest pouch and a battery carry case come in the box.
LED controller with USB charging
The controller reads out speed and mileage, gives voice notifications and safety alerts, has a horn and a volume control, and charges a phone over USB. It installs on the left or the right arm.
The Air Elite Max is the one chair in Journey's range that does not ask you to give something up. It is the lightest of the five at 24.25 lbs. and the strongest at 330 lbs., and the two auto-switching batteries take it to 19.8 miles where the next best Journey chair manages 10. Set against the Air Elite, which is the chair most people arrive looking at, it costs $400 more and gives you 90 lbs. more capacity, twice the range, a wider seat, a taller backrest and a controller that reads out speed and mileage. The honest caveats are two. Charging takes 8 to 12 hours against 4 hours or so on the rest of the line, so it is an overnight chair. And Journey sells it in one finish, where the Air Elite comes in three colors. Journey is also explicit that this is a personal electric vehicle and not a medical device or a wheelchair, so do not buy it expecting Medicare or Medicaid to cover it.
Straight talk
Is it right for you?
A good fit if you
- weigh more than the rest of this range allows, 330 lbs. is the highest capacity Journey publishes
- want the lightest whole chair, 24.25 lbs. without the batteries is the lightest Journey builds, though the Zoomer splits into pieces under 19 lbs. each
- go out for a whole day, the two batteries hand over automatically for up to 19.8 miles
- want a wider seat and a taller back, 17.7" across with an 18" backrest against 17.3" and 15.7" on the Air Elite
Look elsewhere if you
- need to charge and go the same day, this chair takes 8 to 12 hours where the rest of the range takes about 4
- want a color, Journey sells the Air Elite Max in one finish and the Air Elite in three
- cross grass, gravel or steep thresholds, Journey rates the climbing ability at around 3 degrees
- are counting on Medicare or Medicaid, Journey classifies this as a personal electric vehicle and accepts neither
Specifications
Speed and range vary with user weight, terrain, battery condition and temperature.
What to expect after you order
After you place your order, we place it with Journey Health & Lifestyle and track it to your door. The carrier schedules the delivery window with you in advance, so you are never left guessing when it will arrive.
This power chair ships one way. Here is what that includes.
This option works best if you have help on hand and want the lowest delivery cost.
We schedule with you
The carrier calls ahead to set a delivery appointment that works for you.
Your power chair arrives boxed
It comes on the delivery truck in its protective packaging.
Dropped at your curb
The driver brings it to your curb, driveway, or garage entrance.
You take it from there
Moving it inside and unboxing it is up to you or someone helping you.
Warranty and returns
The Journey Air Elite Max is covered by Journey Health & Lifestyle's own limited warranty, published by Journey Health & Lifestyle as follows.
| What is covered | How long |
|---|---|
| Frame, mechanical and electrical components including the motor | 12 months |
| Battery, tires, fabric seat, backrest and cushion | 6 months |
| Labor | Not covered. Journey repairs or replaces the part at its own discretion |
If something goes wrong
Call us first at 1-855-HIELINE. We file the claim with Journey Health & Lifestyle for you and get the covered part sorted out rather than handing you a phone number.
Returns
This power chair may be returned within 30 days of delivery if it is unused and in the original packaging. Contact us before starting a return. See our return policy for complete details.
This power chair has a 20% restocking fee.
Return shipping to us is yours to arrange, and the shipping we paid to deliver it to you is deducted from your refund along with that fee.
Common questions
The frame is carbon fiber and Journey redesigned it. At 24.25 lbs. without the batteries it is the lightest chair they build, and it is rated to 330 lbs. where the Air Elite stops at 240 lbs. The batteries add 3.37 lbs. each when they are in.
Journey publishes up to 19.8 miles on both batteries together. Real range varies with your weight, the terrain, the temperature and the age of the batteries, so plan around roughly two thirds of that figure. The chair moves from one battery to the other on its own, so you do not have to stop and swap.
8 to 12 hours, which is longer than the rest of Journey's range and makes this an overnight chair. Plan to put it on charge when you get home rather than expecting a top-up between outings.
Journey's dimension drawing gives 36" long, 12.5" wide and 38.5" tall folded, standing upright. At 12.5" across it takes a slice of a trunk rather than filling it, and it fits behind a car seat.
17.7" across and 16.9" deep, with 19.75" between the arm rails and an 18" backrest. That is wider and taller than the Air Elite's 17.3" seat and 15.7" back.
Journey lists the Air Elite Max as FAA compliant and FDA registered. Every airline sets its own policy on lithium batteries, so call yours before you travel and have the 24V 12Ah rating for each battery to hand.
It reads out speed and mileage on an LED screen, gives voice notifications and safety alerts, has a horn with a volume control and multiple gears, and charges a phone over USB. It installs on either arm.
No. Journey classifies the Air Elite Max as a personal electric vehicle rather than a medical device or a wheelchair, and they do not accept Medicare or Medicaid. Journey does say most of their products are eligible for reimbursement through an FSA or HSA, so check with your plan administrator.
Twelve months on the frame and the mechanical and electrical components including the motor, and six months on the battery, tires, fabric seat, backrest and cushion. Journey repairs or replaces the part at its own discretion and labor is not included.
Yes. We offer CareCredit financing with plans from 6 to 60 months. Use the payment estimate near the price to see monthly options and prequalify with a soft credit check that does not affect your score.
Resources
Documents
See how this power chair compares
Pick another power chair in the same category and see a clear, side by side look at the specs that matter. Every figure on both sides is published by the manufacturer.
Optional. Tap any add-on to include it in your order.What does this mean?
These are extras that fit onto the power chair, and every one of them is optional. Adding them here means they arrive with it rather than as a separate order later.
Read each card before you add two of them. Some accessories mount in the same place, so only one of those can be fitted at a time.
Included.What does this mean?
This chair ships curbside. The carrier calls ahead to schedule a window, then leaves it at your curb, driveway or garage entrance in its packaging, and getting it indoors is up to you or whoever is helping you. At 24.25 lbs. before the batteries, most people manage it.
Included.What does this mean?
This section covers what the manufacturer warrants and for how long.
There is nothing to buy here. The full terms are in the Warranty tab further up this page.
