Photo with a woman on the left and a man on the right. The man is wearing a medical gown with a stethoscope on his chest.

SPECIAL NEEDS

Medical assistance

TAP offers appropriate solutions for cases in which passengers require medical assistance.

Tell us your diagnosis and we shall help you on your journey

The well-being of our passengers is important to us, even in situations where special comfort is required.

See the precautions to take and the conditions we have created for you.

MEDA — Medical cases, how to communicate them?

A medical case is deemed to exist when a passenger has a medical condition making them dependent on others or requiring personalised assistance.

The following are necessary, in these cases:

MEDIF form completed with a description of diagnosis by the passenger’s doctor. The form can be obtained here (PDF, 0.1 MB, EN).
Request the special assistance by sending the completed form by email to: [email protected] (this email address is only for matters related with MEDIF. Emails related to any other issues will be disregarded).

The TAP medical team uses this information to review your case and ensure you are provided the most appropriate assistance.

This service must be booked at least 48 hours before departure. Otherwise, we cannot guarantee the provision of the service.

Passengers with special needs boarding and disembarking in Brazilian territory

Fractures

The air pressure in the cabin of commercial aircraft is lower than that at the earth's surface. This factor does not affect the majority of passengers, but passengers with health problems should take this into account.

This is the case of passengers who have suffered an orthopedic injury (e.g. fractures) requiring immobilisation by plaster cast. Medical approval must be requested to be able to travel. To make the request, the doctor who assisted the passenger must fill in the medical assistance document (PDF, 0.1MB, EN), which must then be sent to the TAP contacts provided above.

Moreover, to prevent circulatory problems and discomfort, the plaster cast should be opened, if travelling within 48 hours of getting it.

A wheelchair may be required to travel to the aircraft and space may also be needed for your legs during the flight.

Passengers with immobilized leg below the knee

Photo of a man sitting by the window of an airplane, on a three-seat row, with his left leg stretched out under the front seat.

Flights up to 3 hours long
Buy one extra seat: the immobilised leg is placed under the extra seat beside the passenger.

Photo of a man sitting by the window of an airplane, on a three-seat row, with his left leg stretched out on the two seats to his left.

Flights of over 3 hours long
Buy two extra seats: the passenger takes the seat next to the window and places his/her leg over the other seats. If the left-hand limb is injured, the passenger is placed on the right-hand side of the aircraft. If the right-hand limb is injured, the passenger is placed on the left-hand side of the aircraft

Passengers with leg fully immobilised, including knee

Flight of any duration
Buy two extra seats: the passenger leans against the window and places the immobilised leg on the other two seats. If the right-hand limb is injured, the passenger is placed on the left-hand side of the aircraft, and vice-versa.

Passengers with immobilized leg below the knee

Photo of a man sitting by the window of an airplane, on a two-seat row, with his left leg stretched out under the front seat.

Flights up to 3 hours long
Buy one extra seat in a side row of two seats: the immobilised leg is placed under the extra seat beside the passenger.

Photo of a man sitting in Executive Class, with his left leg stretched out and his foot bare.

Flight over 3 hours long
Buy a seat in Business Class, therefore an extra seat is not necessary.

Passengers with leg fully immobilised, including knee

Photo of a man sitting in Executive Class, slightly lying down, with both legs stretched out and bare feet.

Flights of any duration
Buy a seat in Business Class, therefore an extra seat is not necessary.

Stretchers

The transport of passengers in a medical case situation with a stretcher must comply with the following rules:

The passenger has to be accompanied by a paramedic or doctor, if the carrier so requires;
Waiting list bookings are not accepted;
When in transit, payment for an ambulance to transfer the passenger from one plane to another is at the passenger’s expense.

The booking must state:

Details of the ambulances on departure and arrival (entities/hospital of origin and destination);
The contact details of the passenger or companion at the place of embark.

Any additional equipment requested by TAP is provided by the passenger.

Important information

This facility is not available in Business Class.

Code-share flights are subject to special conditions. Contact us for more information.

Oxygen

The passenger must travel accompanied by someone with the ability to provide adequate care, preferably a doctor or nurse.

However, the passenger can travel alone if he/she can provide their own care. The passenger must have the prior authorisation of the medical services.

Operating Airline restrictions may apply for oxygen provided by the passenger. Please consult these restrictions here. It is not possible for the crew to administer oxygen.

TAP has two types of tank:

large: 3 litres/min / 7 litres/min;
small: 2 litres/min / 4 litres/min.

All tanks come with a one-size mask. There are no masks for children aged under two years.

A fee is charged for this service.

Contact us for more information.

Portable Oxygen Concentrator (POC) and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Machine (CPAP)

Passengers that need to travel with a POC or CPAP (for the treatment of sleep apnea) can do so on board TAP flights. However, they must contact the TAP Contact Center to find out about the specific conditions for their flight.

Passengers who request special assistance (PNAE)

TAP guarantees the comfort and necessary support for all its passengers, whatever the type of need.

If you need special assistance during your trip call the TAP Service Centre in Brazil on 0800 0223 743, at least 72 hours before the flight departure if travelling with a companion, or up to 48 hours before departure if you do not require a companion.

Some PNAE passengers must ask their doctor to complete and send a medical information form (MEDIF) describing the diagnosis. This document is subsequently reviewed by TAP's medical services.

This form must be completed if the PNAE:

Needs to travel on a stretcher;
Needs to use oxygen or other medical equipment;
Presents a health risk to him/herself or to other passengers;
Needs extraordinary medical care during air travel.

The MEDIF must be sent at least 72 hours before the flight departure time, to [email protected].

The transport of passengers in such situations requires the prior authorisation of the medical professionals designated by TAP, based on information about the physical and mental condition provided by the passenger or by his or her doctor in the MEDIF.

If it is found that the passenger did not take into account the information presented herein, then he/she may not be allowed to travel on TAP. This measure serves to ensure the safety of the passenger concerned and all the other passengers.

Companion of the PNAE

The PNAE, over the age of 18 years, who is disabled or with reduced mobility must be accompanied whenever they:

Travel on a stretcher;
Demonstrate mental or intellectual disabilities that prevent them from understanding flight safety instructions;
Cannot attend to their physiological needs without assistance.

These passengers (or their legal representatives), even if accompanied, must complete the Medical Information Form (MEDIF) at least 72 hours before departure of the flight.

A TAP representative will then contact you to confirm the need for assistance or provide any necessary information.

The companion of this passenger, who departs from an airport in Brazil, receives an 80% discount on the fare of the flight.

The companion must be:

Of legal age, and at least 18 years old;
Be able to provide the personal and medical care required by the passenger.

Related Tools

Green and red illustration of a wheelchair.

Wheelchairs

Assistance for passengers with reduced mobility. We guarantee support at the airport up until boarding your flight. We recommend that you do the booking of this service up to 48 hours before the trip.

Find out more