Carriage of medical equipment – including wheelchairs

You can take medical equipment such as wheelchairs or other assistive devices with you on our flights. In order to ensure a smooth service and comfort during your journey, please inform us of your request to carry such equipment well in advance. We encourage you to read the terms of carriage and deal with all the required formalities to ensure that your journey goes smoothly.

To report the transportation of a wheelchair, please fill out the special assistance form. Information to be included:

• Type of wheelchair (depending on the battery), the options are:
  • Manual wheelchair without a battery
  • Wheelchair powered by a non-spillable wet or dry battery
  • Wheelchair powered by a battery with a wet cell
  • Wheelchair powered by a lithium-ion battery carried inside the device
  • Wheelchair powered by a lithium-ion battery carried outside the device
• Weight of the wheelchair
  • Most wheelchairs have a metal or adhesive nameplate, usually placed on the frame or the battery casing.
  • You can also find the weight in the instruction manual and information from the manufacturer. If you don’t have the original manufacturer’s documents, look up this information online using the wheelchair's make and model. Pay attention to whether the weight includes the batteries.
• Dimensions of the wheelchair
  • We need the height, width, and length – if the wheelchair folds, provide the dimensions when folded.
  • Measure the height from the ground to the highest point
  • Measure the width at the widest point (usually at the wheel hubs or armrests/control panel)
  • Measure the length from the front wheels or footrests to the furthest point at the back (e.g., anti-tip wheels)

If the wheelchair is equipped with a battery, also provide:

• Type of battery
• Number of batteries
• Battery capacity in watt-hours (Wh)
• Information on whether the battery is removable
• Number of spare batteries
• Capacity of spare batteries in watt-hours (Wh)

Also read: How can I transport an electric wheelchair?

Notify Us for wheelchair transport

Please tell us about your wheelchair transport needs at least 48 hours before the flight. This will help us have enough space in the aircraft's hold and guarantee maximum comfort for you during check-in and the flight.

Transporting your wheelchair

Due to limited space on board, your wheelchair will be handed over to airport staff at check-in and placed in the luggage hold. You will get is back at the destination airport, just after you leave the plane.

Please also review the rules for transporting wheelchairs on board the Dreamliner. and check the cargo door dimensions on our aircraft.

Temporary wheelchair

How are you going to get around without your wheelchair? On board our Dreamliners, we will provide you with a replacement wheelchair for the duration of your journey. If your flight is on a smaller plane, please read the information on on-board wheelchairs.

Our ground staff will help you move from the check-in counter to the aircraft and from the aircraft to the baggage reclaim area after the flight.

Do you use an oxygen concentrator when flying? Please prepare and submit the MEDIF form.  For oxygen concentrators, powered by batteries, these should last for 150 per cent of the flight duration. For example, if you are flying for eight hours, you should carry enough battery for twelve hours of flight time (in case of unplanned extended flight duration)

Tell us in advance if you need to use the device while travelling, by calling our Contact Center or through messaging channels: Messenger or WhatsApp. Our staff will make the relevant notes in your booking.

Not using an oxygen concentrator on a flight? You do not need to fill the MEDIF form.

Please read the FAA's current information and guidance on the types of concentrators that can be carried.

Oxygen cylinder

We do not offer the carriage or provide oxygen cylinders on our flights.

CPAP

We accept the carriage of CPAP devices, which support passengers struggling with respiratory failure or sleep apnoea on our flights.

Important information about the carriage of CPAP devices on board:

• Passengers using a CPAP device are asked to read and check whether they need to give us a medical form before their planned journey.
• If you wish to use the CPAP device on board, tell us in advance on the phone or in writing.
• As we do not offer a power source during the flight, the CPAP device should be battery powered and fully charged before boarding the aircraft.

Read also: Passengers with a medical certificate.