SPECIAL NEEDS

Health problems

We offer advice to our passengers with a specific clinical situation on what they should do before and during their trip.

Your health first

Always advise TAP of your health problems so we can provide the best possible care.
 
Here is some general advice about traveling with health problems.

Medication

  1. If you use injectable medication (e.g., insulin) and you are traveling to a country with limited resources, make sure you carry the necessary medication and accessories for your flights with you. Also carry the written medical prescription with you.
  2. Be sure to take your usual medication as prescribed. Carry the medication you need in your hand luggage.

Request medical approval for air travel if you have any of the following:

  • A plaster cast or immobilizing splints
  • Chronic heart disease (e.g., angina pectoris, cardiac insufficiency)
  • Chronic respiratory disease (e.g., bronchitis, emphysema)
  • Recent acute myocardial infarction
  • Recent stroke
  • Untreated active or contagious infectious disease
  • Recent hospitalization
  • Recent surgery, particularly chest, abdominal, cranial or eye surgery
  • Need to be transported on a stretcher
  • Need for medical, nursing or paramedic care
  • Need for extra oxygen or other medical equipment on board
  • Pregnancy with complications, or after 36 weeks of gestation, or 32 weeks if a multiple pregnancy
  • Fever, persistent cough or vomiting
  • Diabetes or epilepsy with recent complications
  • Shortness of breath when walking and climbing stairs
  • Skin spots that may be related to an infectious disease
  • Mental confusion, inappropriate behavior suggestive of intoxication by alcohol or drugs
  • Any disease that is uncontrolled or likely to be exacerbated by travel
  • A physical or behavioral condition that may be dangerous or cause discomfort to the other passengers, in terms of flight safety.

 

You should ask the airline to issue a medical clearance. To do this, you will need to provide us with a Medical Information for Fitness to Travel - MEDIF (Part 2) (PDF, 0.1MB, EN). The form must be completed by your doctor. The completed for is then examined by a TAP doctor, who will subsequently inform you if you can travel and under what conditions.

 

The completed MEDIF must be sent to:

  • Fax No. (+351) 218 415 880
  • Email: medical.cases@tap.pt
    (This Email address is solely for MEDIF-related matters. Emails related to any other issues will be disregarded).

To travel alone you must be able to:

  • Breathe spontaneously without the need for additional oxygen
  • Feed yourself independently
  • Transfer yourself from the seat to the wheelchair
  • Communicate with the crew and follow their advice or instructions
  • Use the toilets without assistance from the crew
  • Administer your own medication

You must travel accompanied by another person if you cannot:

  • Unfasten your seat belt, leave your seat and reach an emergency exit unaided
  • Remove and put on the safety vest unaided
  • Put on the oxygen mask without any help
  • Understand the safety briefing and any advice or instructions given by the crew in an accessible manner in the event of an emergency
Learn more about the medical assistance that TAP can provide here.