Special assistance

Help and support for a smoother journey

Flying with a medical condition, disability or special need

Our priority is that you fly comfortably and safely. If you require assistance, we recommend letting us know at least 48 hours before your flight. That way, we can make sure everything is in place for a smooth journey.

Flying with medical condition, disability or any special needs?

Pregnancy
Medical assistance
Dietary requirements
Disability and mobility support

Single pregnancy

From weeks 29 to 36, you will require a medical certificate to fly. You’ll have to present it when you check in at the airport.
Once you reach the 37th week of your pregnancy, you will not be accepted to travel.

Multiple pregnancy

From weeks 29 to 32, you will require a medical certificate to fly, which you’ll have to present when you check in at the airport
Once you reach the 33rd week of your pregnancy, you will not be accepted to travel

Medical certificate

Depending on the stage of your pregnancy, you may require a medical certificate before you’ll be cleared to fly.

To make life a bit simpler, we’ve created a certificate that you can print and take directly to your doctor or midwife.

Download form

Our advice

Always consult your doctor before making travel plans, especially regarding DVT risks. Request a seat near a toilet, and be cautious when lifting heavy items. Wear compression stockings and elevate your feet during the flight. After giving birth, avoid flying for at least seven days. If flying with other airlines, check if additional documents are needed and confirm the validity of your medical certificates, as expiration rules may vary.

Frequently asked questions

During the first 28 weeks of your pregnancy, you do not need a medical certificate to fly, though we’d always recommend speaking with your doctor to get their advice before you travel.

When you reach 29 weeks, you will require a medical certificate to fly, which you'll have to present at check-in at the airport.

If your pregnancy is complicated with a condition that adds extra risk, please make sure to complete a MEDIF form.

You can fly for up to 37 weeks of your pregnancy, or 33 weeks if you are having a multiple pregnancy.

We recommend that you don't fly for at least seven days after giving birth, though it’s important that you always speak to your doctor before you commit to any travel plans.

If the baby was born prematurely or there were complications, you are required to submit a MEDIF form and medical report.

See all FAQs

Requesting medical assistance

If you require any sort of assistance, please visit etihad.com/manage or call us to let us know at least 48 hours before your flight. We may not be able to support you otherwise, and your travel plans may be disrupted.

If you’re flying with a partner airline, please contact them for all assistance enquiries.

Request assistance

Who needs medical clearance to fly?

If you have any concerns, always consult your doctor before you fly.

You’ll need medical clearance to fly if you have:

An actively contagious condition

Recently had a major medical incident

An unstable physical or psychological condition

A medical condition which may be adversely affected by flying

A condition that is a potential hazard to the safety of other guests or punctuality of the flight

You’ll need medical clearance to fly if you need:

A stretcher

Special assistance or are unable to care for yourself

In-flight oxygen, a portable oxygen concentrator (POC) or ventilator

Battery-powered medical equipment (except for CPAP) or a medical procedure during the flight

How to request medical clearance

If you need medical clearance to fly, submit a MEDIF form and medical report at least 72 hours before your flight. If approved, you’ll be issued with a certificate from the Etihad Airways Medical Centre (EAMC) – keep this with you during your flight.

Your form must:

Be submitted in English and issued from your treating physician within 14 days of your flight

Be completed in full, signed and dated – incomplete forms will not be accepted

Include contact details for your doctor

You need medical clearance to fly if you:

The Golden Standard

We are proud to share that we've been accredited by the Joint Commission International Accreditation (JCIA), the Golden Standard for Healthcare Facilities.

This achievement highlights our commitment to ensuring your safety, comfort, and well-being every time you fly with us.

More help with flying

If you have a physical or cognitive disability, remember to visit etihad.com/manage to request medical assistance before you book your seat. Then, select your seat for free online or by calling us.

You can bring your own wheelchair for free in addition to your checked baggage allowance. The height of the wheelchair should not exceed 120cm. Some battery-powered wheelchairs and mobility aids require prior approval.
Find out more

If you have a physical or cognitive disability, remember to visit etihad.com/manage to request medical assistance before you book your seat. Then, select your seat for free online or by calling us.

View all FAQs

Request a special meal

To ensure we have your special meal on board, it’s vital you request one at least 24 hours in advance.
Flying on one of our partner airlines? Some special meals may be unavailable, so contact the airline directly to find out more.

Request a meal

Halal and vegetarian meals

All of the food we serve on board is prepared in strict compliance with Halal regulations and is suitable for Muslims, so is there no need to request this in advance.

Flight under 2 hours and 50 minutes

You can request a special meal. But with more complex conditions, be sure to bring your own food on board.

On longer journeys

You can request a special meal for these conditions as well as for more complex dietary requirements. Remember to give us 24 hours’ notice for all special meal requests.

Medical concerns and allergies

Flying with an allergy or a medical condition?

Contact your doctor with any concerns. We do not accept responsibility for allergic reactions on our flights.

For severe allergies

We suggest you bring your own food on board, in line with the current liquid restrictions.

Peanut allergy

We don’t guarantee a peanut-free environment. We may serve nuts as snacks or in a meal. Derivatives of nuts could be in air conditioning or in cabins.

How to request your meal

To make sure it is available on board, please request your special meal at least 24 hours before your flight.

If your flight or part of your journey is operated by one of our partner airlines, please contact the airline directly to discuss your request.

When you book

Select your flight, enter your passenger details and add your meal preference.

Book now

Existing booking

Visit Manage your booking to request a meal on the Passenger Details page.

Choose meal

Travel agent

If you've made a booking with a travel agent, you can also contact them to request a special meal.

Medical & dietary
Religious
Baby & child

MEAL	CODE	DESCRIPTION
Asian vegetarian	AVML	Does not contain meat, fish or eggs Contains vegetables, fruit and dairy products Prepared according to subcontinent taste (mildly spicy to spicy) Suitable for Hindu guests as a vegetarian choice
Bland meal	BLML	Does not contain spices, onion, garlic or food that is baked, fried or spicy Contains food that is easily digested, for example, poached chicken or fish, mashed potatoes, eggs, dairy products
Diabetic meal	DBML	Does not contain products containing refined sugars (only certain permitted sugar substitutes) Contains low-salt, low-fat products, lean protein and simply cooked vegetables and fruit Suitable for guests with diabetes
Fruit plate	FPML	Contains only seasonal fruit
Gluten-free	GFML	Does not contain food items containing gluten or gliadin contained in wheat, barley, rye and oats Likely to contain meat, fish, rice, corn, peas, beans, potatoes, dairy products, fruit Suitable for guests who follow a low-gluten diet Not suitable for guests with celiac disease as we are unable to guarantee an entirely gluten-free meal
Vegetarian lacto-ovo meal	VLML	Does not contain meat or meat products, fish, poultry or products with lard or gelatine Contains dairy products and may contain eggs Suitable for guests who do not eat meat but eat milk, cheese, and eggs
Low-calorie meal	LCML	Does not contain sugar, cream sauces, mayonnaise or fatty meats Contains simply cooked meat, fish and vegetables Suitable for guests on restricted or low-calorie diets
Low-fat/low-cholesterol meal	LFML	Does not contain pastry, fried food or fatty meats Contains food that is low in fat, for example grilled/poached poultry or fish, wholegrain bread and cereals and fruit
Low-sodium meal	LSML	Does not contain products containing salt and no salt added in cooking process Contains simply cooked poultry or fish, unsalted vegetables, wholegrain bread and cereals and fruit
Lactose-free meal	NLML	Does not contain milk or milk products, sauces, chocolate or breads containing milk Contains grilled poultry or fish, sauce-free vegetables, wholegrain bread, cereals and fruit Suitable for guests who are intolerant to milk or milk products
Raw vegetable meal	RVML	Contains only raw vegetables and salads
Vegetarian oriental meal	VOML	Does not contain meat or fish Contains vegetables, rice or fruit Prepared in a Chinese style
Vegetarian jain meal	VJML	Does not contain any meat or animal products. No root vegetables, onions, or garlic Contains non-root vegetables and may contain rice. Prepared in an Asian style Suitable for members of the Jain community
Vegan meal	VGML	Does not contain any meat, fish or animal products like dairy or eggs Contains vegetables, pulses, grains and fruit Suitable for vegan guests

Prepare your documents

Check the passport and visa requirements for your destination carefully and prepare any documents you need well in advance. To save you some time, we’ve compiled the entry requirements for the destinations we fly to, but we always recommend checking the IATA Travel Centre before you fly as things can change quickly.

Check now

MEAL	CODE	DESCRIPTION
Hindu meal (non-vegetarian)	HNML	Does not contain beef or beef products Contains poultry or lamb, fish, eggs and dairy products Prepared according to subcontinent taste (mildly spicy to spicy) If you prefer a vegetarian Hindu option, please order AVML
Kosher meal (requires 72 hour’s notice)	KSML	Does not contain non-kosher meat, fish or fruit and vegetables prone to infestation Contains meat from kosher animals or fish Certified in the Kosher kitchen and double-sealed after packing

MEAL	CODE	DESCRIPTION
Baby meal	BBML	Pre-packaged, branded baby meal products available onboard Parents are advised to carry baby foods preferred by their babies Milk and baby meals can be heated onboard
Child meal (Non-vegetarian)	CHML	Does not contain spicy or complex flavours Likely to contain pasta, meatballs, dairy products, vegetables, dessert Suitable for children aged 2 - 12 years

Requesting a wheelchair

You can request a wheelchair at etihad.com/manage. We recommend requesting a wheelchair as soon as you can, or at least 48 hours before your flight.

So that we’re able to assist everyone who needs support, please only request a wheelchair if you have a disability or mobility issue. If you or someone in your party doesn’t have a disability or mobility issue, our Meet and Assist service may be a better option.

More about wheelchairs

Flying with a service dog

If you have a disability, you can travel with an ADI or IGDF licensed service dog. You’ll need your license on all flights, except for flights from the U.S. You can only travel with psychiatric support dogs on direct flights to the U.S.

We recommend you call us at least 48 hours before your flight if you are travelling with a trained service dog.

Book now

The Sunflower Network

We’re proud to be part of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network. This initiative ensures that our teams are trained to assist and support you if you have a non-visible disability. As part of our commitment, we also provide the Sunflower lanyard — a globally recognised symbol that helps identify and support individuals with non-visible disabilities.