SPECIAL NEEDS

Health problems

We advise our passengers with a specific clinical situation 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 travelling with health problems.

Medication

  1. If you use injectable medication (e.g. insulin) and you are going to travel to a country of limited resources, make sure you carry the necessary medication and accessories for your flights and stay with you. Also carry with you the respective medical indication in writing.
  2. Be sure to take the usual medication according to the prescription. Carry the medication necessary for this purpose in your hand luggage.

Request medical authorisation for boarding if you have:

  • A plaster cast or immobilising 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 hospitalisation;
  • Recent surgery, in particular thoracic, abdominal, cranial or ocular 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 behaviour, suggestive of intoxication by alcohol or drugs;
  • Any disease that is uncontrolled or likely to be aggravated by travel;
  • Physical or behavioural condition which may be dangerous or cause discomfort to the other passengers, in terms of flight safety.
You should ask the airline to issue a Medical Information Form (MEDIF). You must give us the Medical Information for Fitness to Travel - MEDIF (Parte 2) (PDF, 0.1Mb, EN), duly completed by your doctor. This document 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:

(This Email address is solely for MEDIF-related matters, all other issues will be disregarded).

 

To travel alone you should 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 someone else 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 case of an emergency.
Learn more about the medical assistance that TAP provides here.