Medical information

Etihad Airways Medical Centre issues a Medical Certificate with approval, which is handed over to the guest through the respective Ticketing Office. Guests may be asked to show the certificate at any time during their journey and so are advised to keep this easily available.

A separate Medical Information for Fitness to Travel or Special Assistance (MEDIF) form might be required for the return journey (as advised by Etihad Airways Medical Centre). All submitted MEDIF forms must be accompanied by a recent medical report in English, not issued more than 10 days prior to the commencement date of travel.

Guests suffering from cardiopulmonary conditions which cause dyspnoea on walking more than 100m on the flat, or which has resulted in them requiring oxygen in hospital or at home (or in-flight previously) may require supplementary oxygen. The aircraft oxygen is for emergency use only. Guests with serious cardiopulmonary conditions and guests requesting continuous oxygen and the use of a stretcher should enclose a recent detailed medical report, including their oxygen saturation on room air and on supplementary oxygen and oxygen flow rate, with their MEDIF requests.

There is no need to complete the MEDIF form if you simply require a wheelchair as far as the aircraft door; the travel agent can indicate this when making your reservation.

Note: Civil Aviation Rules require all guests to be able to keep the aircraft seat with the seat back in the upright position when required.

The following supporting devices are acceptable for upper torso support:

1. SPECIAL CARES Harness for adult guests with special needs and children more than 20kg in weight.  

2. CRELLING Harness (Model 27)

• Y class only - Type 27I (2-5 years) & Type 27A (5-8 years)
• All Classes - Type 27B (9 years - Adult)

3. CRELLING Shoulder Strap (HSB1)

• Y class only – Type HSB1 (2 years - Adult)

All guests with new fractures and  casts (the cast must be at least 48 hours old) require medical certificates. Plasters should be split for fresh injuries (48hours or less) which could swell inside the cast on a long flight. Extra legroom for leg elevation is not possible in Economy class. Any guest who needs to keep his or her foot elevated should consider the benefit of booking in premium zones.

Permanently blind guests are allowed to travel without medical clearance, but indications of their needs must be mentioned at the time of making the reservation. Groups would require special clearance.

Temporarily blind guests are advised to have medical clearance through MEDIF .

On board the aircraft, cabin crew will read to you the meal menu options, identify food items and placement on your tray and assist with opening packages upon request.

Service Dogs
In accordance with United Arab Emirates (UAE) government regulations, all animals must enter the UAE as manifested cargo.  An exception is made for guide dogs (Seeing Eye Dogs trained to lead the blind) to travel free of charge in the aircraft cabin on Etihad Airways direct flights to or from the USA (country restrictions apply), unless it poses a direct threat to the health and safety of other guests or presents a threat of disruption in the aircraft cabin.

We require documentation that the dog will not need to relieve itself or can do so in a way that will not create a health or sanitation problem in the cabin (if the flight segment is scheduled to take eight hours or more).

If you intend to travel with a guide dog in the cabin, an advanced notice to your local Etihad Airways office is required at least 48 hours in advance in order for arrangements to be made at Abu Dhabi International Airport to receive the animal in the airport terminal.  

We also recommend that you bring an absorbent protective mat for the dog. The guide dog may accompany the guest in the aircraft cabin, provided that it can be accommodated without obstructing the cabin aisle or emergency exit rows.

The guide dog should be harnessed.

Guests suffering from diabetes do not require medical clearance for travel on Etihad Airways. However, you may require a special meal and treatment during travel. If you require a diabetic meal, you can request this at the time of your booking. You should have a medical report from your doctor if you are carrying any medication or syringes in your hand luggage. This is to ensure that you do not have a problem with clearance at the security checks. Guests who use insulin are advised to carry this in their hand luggage.

Medical clearance (through MEDIF) is required for unstable conditions or if you have recently been admitted to hospital.

Decompression sickness occurs if diving is followed immediately by travel to altitudes above sea level. Guests who have been scuba diving should delay their travel by 24 hours and by 48 hours after decompression diving. Guests who have recently been suffering from, or are currently suffering from, decompression sickness will need to obtain medical clearance through MEDIF.

Siamese (conjoined) twins are treated as special cases and their weights and ages will determine the seating. They are treated as one guest when the fare is applied to the ticket. Siamese (conjoined) twins need to obtain medical clearance through MEDIF  in order to travel with Etihad Airways.

Etihad Airways provides stretcher assistance to guests on all of our flights in Economy Class. All stretcher cases must be escorted and requires medical clearance. The MEDIF must be completed and submitted, together with the medical report, at least 72 hours before travel is due to commence.

Etihad Airways provides wheelchair assistance to our guests and the service is categorized as:

• Ramp Wheelchair (WCHR) - For guests who can ascend/descend steps and walk in the cabin, but requires wheelchair for distance to/from aircraft.
• Step Wheelchair (WCHS) - For guests who cannot ascend/descend steps but can walk in the cabin, requires wheelchair for distance to/from aircraft.
• Cabin Wheelchair (WCHC) - For completely immobile guests, requires wheelchair to/from aircraft cabin seat and cannot assist in their own evacuation. 

Etihad Airways will accept a guest’s own wheelchair as baggage without charge and in addition to the free baggage allowance, provided that they operate with a dry cell battery.

Onboard wheelchairs are available on all Etihad Airways flights to assist non-ambulatory guests to move to/from the aircraft lavatory.

Travelling with your own wheelchair
All Etihad Airways aircraft operating to and from a U.S. airport shall have a priority space in the cabin for stowage of one folding wheelchair. This space is available on a first come, first served basis. Wheelchairs or assistive devices that are too large or heavy to be accommodated in the aircraft cabin will be carried in the hold.

The  MEDIF form and the  medical report must be submitted to the Etihad Airways office 72 hours before the travel is due to commence, at the latest. Further investigation reports may be requested by the Etihad Airways Medical Centre if required for assessment of the case.

The MEDIF form should be completed based on the guest’s condition within 10 days from the date of commencement of air travel. Medical reports or MEDIF forms completed more than 10 days prior to the commencement date of travel, cannot be accepted. Etihad Airways must be notified immediately of any change in the guest’s condition prior to travel. In the event of sudden change in the guest’s condition during the journey, we shall ask the guest to obtain another MEDIF form in order to confirm that they are fit to continue travelling by air.

Guests who require oxygen or need to use their personal oxygen concentrator (POC) for travel on Etihad Airways require medical clearance for travel. This service must be requested at least 72 hours prior to departure. Etihad Airways provides oxygen for use onboard our aircraft. If a guest is required to use supplementary oxygen on the ground, i.e. in the airport terminal prior to boarding, after landing or during transit, he or she must use their own personal oxygen concentrator (POC). Etihad Airways uses the “Zero Two” oxygen cylinder which is compatible with other medical equipment. For details and specifications, please refer to the website of our provider aeromedicgroup.com

Portable Oxygen Concentrator (POC)
If you intend to use the device onboard, you must notify us at least 72 hours prior to the departure of your flight.

You must also bring a written statement (medical certificate), signed by a licensed physician, with you on the day of travel and report to the check-in desk one hour in advance of the scheduled check-in time.

Approved Brands
The following brands are currently approved by UAE - General Civil Aviation Authority for use onboard Etihad Airways aircraft:

•  AirSep Focus, AirSep FreeStyle, AirSep FreeStyle 5 and AirSep LifeStyle                                                                                                                            
•  DeVilbiss Healthcare iGo
•  Inogen One, Inogen One G2 and Inogen One G3
•  Inova Labs LifeChoice Activox,  Inova Labs LifeChoice or International Biophysics LifeChoice
•  Invacare XPO2 and Invacare Solo2
•  Oxlife Independence
•  Oxus Inc. RS-00400 or Delphi RS-00400
•  Precision Medical EasyPulse
•  Respironics EverGo and Respironics SimplyGo
•  SeQual Eclipse
•  SeQual SAROS

Note: If you have a device newly approved by FAA and not list above, you must notify us at least 120 hours prior to the departure of your flight and provide the supporting documents.

When a battery-powered personal oxygen concentrator is carried onboard aircraft as carry-on baggage and is not intended to be used during the flight, the battery must be removed and packaged separately, unless the concentrator contains at least two effective protective features to prevent accidental operation during transport.

Carriage and usage

If you are flying on a code share flight (operated by another carrier), please contact the operating carrier for all assistance. Etihad Airways cannot guarantee the service on other carriers not operated by Etihad.

1. The device does not cause interference with electrical, navigation or communication equipment;

2. No smoking or open flame is permitted within 10 feet of any seat row where a person is using a portable oxygen concentrator;

3. During taxi, take-off and landing, the unit must:
• Either be stowed under the seat in front of the user, or in another approved stowage location, so that it does not block the aisle way of the entryway into the row; or
• If it is to be operated by the user, be used only at a seat location that does not restrict any guest’s access to, or any required emergency or regular exit, or the aisle(s) in the compartment;

4. No person using a portable oxygen concentrator is permitted to sit in an exit row;

5. Whenever the pilot in command turns off the ‘Fasten Seatbelt’ sign, or otherwise signifies that permission is granted to move about the cabin, guests operating their portable oxygen concentrator may continue to operate it while moving about the cabin;

6. The user of the portable oxygen concentrator must comply with the following conditions to use the device onboard the aircraft:

If you intend to use the device on board, you must notify us at least 72 hours prior to the departure of your flight.

You must also bring a written statement (medical certificate), signed by a licensed physician, with you on the day of travel and report to the check-in desk one hour in advance of the scheduled check-in time.

The written statement (medical certificate) must state:
i. Whether the user of the device has the physical and cognitive ability to see, hear and understand the device’s aural and visual cautions and warnings and is able, without assistance, to take the appropriate action in response to those cautions and warnings;
ii. Whether or not oxygen use is medically necessary for all or a portion of the duration of the trip; and
iii. Specifies the maximum oxygen flow rate (corresponding to the pressure in the cabin of the aircraft under normal operating conditions).

Carriage and Usage
The device(s) may be carried on and used by a guest onboard an aircraft, provided that the following conditions are conformed to:

1. The particular ventilator, respirator or continuous positive airway pressure device(s) must be labeled by the manufacturer to reflect that it has been tested to meet applicable United States Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) / Department Of Transport requirements for medical portable electronic devices.
2. The maximum weight and dimensions (length, width, height) of any device to be used by an individual that can be accommodated in the aircraft cabin; under seat, over head stowage or secured against lateral and/or vertical movements.
3. The device(s) to be used only at a seat location that does not restrict any guest’s access to, or any required emergency or regular exit, or the aisle(s) in the cabin compartment; and the user is not permitted to sit in an exit row.
4. The requirement to bring an adequate number of batteries and to ensure that extra batteries carried onboard to power the device, are packaged in accordance with applicable safety regulations.
5. Check-in staff ensures the devices are in compliance with the abovementioned conditions.You are responsible for travelling with a sufficient supply of batteries to last the entire journey (including transit and unexpected delays).

You must ensure that the batteries for the approved devices carried onboard the aircraft in carry-on baggage are protected from short circuit and are packaged in a manner that protects them from physical damage. Batteries protected from short circuit include:

1. Those designed with recessed battery terminals; or 
2. Those packaged so that the battery terminals do not contact metal objects (including the battery terminals of other batteries).

If the device is carried onboard an aircraft as carry-on baggage, but is not intended to be used during the flight, the batteries must be removed and packaged separately, unless the device contains at least two effective protective features to prevent accidental operation during transport.

The written statement (medical certificate) must state:
i. Whether the user of the device has the physical and cognitive ability to see, hear and understand the device’s aural and visual cautions and warnings and is able, without assistance, to take the appropriate action in response to those cautions and warnings;
ii. Whether or not oxygen use is medically necessary for all or a portion of the duration of the trip; and
iii. Specifies the maximum oxygen flow rate (corresponding to the pressure in the cabin of the aircraft under normal operating conditions).

Carriage and Usage
The device(s) may be carried on and used by a guest onboard an aircraft, provided that the following conditions are conformed to:

1. Prior medical clearance through the MEDIF system is required (Etihad Medical Certificate) for carriage of ventilators and respirators only. 
2. The particular ventilator, respirator or continuous positive airway pressure device(s) must be labeled by the manufacturer to reflect that it has been tested to meet applicable United States Federal Aviation Authority(FAA)  / Department Of Transport requirements for medical portable electronic devices.
3. The maximum weight and dimensions (length, width, height) of any device to be used by an individual that can be accommodated in the aircraft cabin; under seat, over head stowage or secured against lateral and / or vertical movements.
4. The device(s) to be used only at a seat location that does not restrict any guest’s access to, or any required emergency or regular exit, or the aisle(s) in the cabin compartment; and the user is not permitted to sit in an exit row.
5. The requirement to bring an adequate number of batteries and to ensure that extra batteries carried onboard to power the device, are packaged in accordance with applicable safety regulations.
6. Check-in staff ensures the devices are in compliance with the above mentioned conditions.

Note: Prior medical clearance through the MEDIF system is required (Etihad Airways Medical Certificate). If you intend to use the device on board, you must bring a written statement (medical certificate), signed by a licensed physician, with you on the day of travel and report to the check-in desk one hour in advance of the scheduled check-in time.

Must state:
i. Whether the user of the device has the physical and cognitive ability to see, hear and understand the device’s aural and visual cautions and warnings and is able, without assistance, to take the appropriate action in response to those cautions and warnings;
ii. Whether or not oxygen use is medically necessary for all or a portion of the duration of the trip; and
iii. Specifies the maximum oxygen flow rate corresponding to the pressure in the cabin of the aircraft under normal operating conditions.

Note: Prior medical clearance through the MEDIF system is required (Etihad Airways Medical Certificate).

Carry your medication in your hand luggage, together with a prescription and a letter from your doctor stating which medication you are taking and what the medical conditions are for which you are using it. This is to avoid issues with customs. Make sure that there are no restrictions on the medication which you are carrying in the country which you are vistiing.

Some medication which may be available over-the-counter in other countries are classified as controlled substances in the UAE. A doctor’s prescription should be carried with any medication that is brought into the country. It is advised that travelers familiarize themselves with which medication they can and cannot bring into the country.

If you have a pre-existing medical condition, see your doctor  prior to your journey to ensure that your condition is well controlled.

Please take note that medication cannot be refrigerated onboard.

Make sure that your health insurance is adequate and that it covers you for international travel.

• Carry an auto-injector device (e.g. EpiPen) or syringe  in their hand luggage, and ensure that they or an escort are willing to and capable of administering it; and
• Bring to the flight a medical certificate or doctor's letter which should not be older than 3 months from the date of travel confirming that they require the auto-injector device, and produce that medical certificate or doctor's letter to the airline.