If you’re travelling with a medical condition, we’ll do everything we can to make your journey as smooth and comfortable as possible. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, we advise that you see your doctor before you fly.
Always make sure that you have valid and health insurance for your trip.
Nurse on board
Fly with peace of mind thanks to our onboard nurse service. Our fully-trained nurse will be on hand throughout the entire journey; they’ll ensure that all medical forms and documents are in place, assist with boarding and offer medical assistance during the flight
Call +971 2 599 0000 or email contactcentre@etihad.ae to book
Medication
Always carry medication in your cabin baggage with a prescription or letter from your doctor. Regulations will vary depending on the country that you are visiting so always familiarise yourself with what medication you can or cannot take with you on your trip. Medication cannot be refrigerated onboard. Guests who have to administer injections onboard are urged to dispose of needles and syringes responsibly by informing a cabin crew member.
Allergies and anaphylaxis
We cannot guarantee a cabin environment or food that will be free of specific allergens. Special non-allergic food arrangements have to be made by the guest.
If you are at risk of anaphylaxis due to allergens, you must
- Carry an auto-injector device (e.g. EpiPen) or syringe in your hand luggage and ensure that you or an escort are willing to and capable of administering it
- Present a medical certificate or doctor's letter to the airline confirming your need for an auto-injector device – the certificate or letter may not older than three months from the date of travel
Arthritis
If you suffer from arthritis, you do not need medical clearance to fly. However, if your mobility is severely impaired, a medical report and MEDIF is required.
Artificial limbs
Medical clearance is not required for guests who can use aircraft facilities on their own.
Asthma
If you suffer from asthma, you do not need medical clearance to fly. However, if you require oxygen, a medical report and MEDIF is required.
Always make sure to carry your medication in your cabin baggage.
Blind or visually impairment
If you are blind or have a visual impairment, please let us know at least 48 hours before your flight so that we can make arrangements to assist you during your trip. When you arrive at the airport, please notify our staff so that we can help you get to the gate and to board the aircraft. On board, our cabin crew read the menu for you, help you identify food items and placement on your tray and assist with opening packages if you need it.
You do not need medical clearance to fly unless
- You are temporarily blind
- You are travelling as part of a group of visually impaired guests
Deaf, hearing impairment or mute
If you are deaf, have a hearing impairment or are mute, please let us know at least 48 hours before your flight so that we can make arrangements to assist you during your trip. On board, our cabin crew will update you when we make announcements. You do not need medical clearance to fly.
Diabetes
If you have diabetes, you do not need medical clearance to fly. However, if you require a specific meal or treatment during the flight, please let us know at least 24 hours before your flight.
Always carry medication, including insulin, appropriately packaged in your cabin baggage with a prescription or letter from your doctor. Regulations will vary depending on the country that you are visiting so always familiarise yourself with what medication you can or cannot take with you on your trip. Please always dispose of needles and syringes responsibly by informing a member of our cabin crew.
You may require medical clearance if your condition is unstable or you have recently been admitted to hospital.
Fractures
If you have a fracture and a cast (the cast must be at least 48 hours old), you will require a medical certificate to fly.
Plasters should be split for fresh injuries (48 hours or less) which could swell inside the cast on a long flight.
Extra legroom for leg elevation is not possible in our Economy cabins. If you need to keep your foot elevated, please consider booking one of our premium cabins.
Lung or heart disease
If you suffer from a cardiopulmonary condition which causes dyspnoea on walking more than 100m, or which has resulted in requiring oxygen in hospital or at home (or previously required in-flight), you may require supplemental oxygen on board.
Aircraft oxygen is for emergency use only.
If you request continuous oxygen or the use of a stretcher, you must provide a recent and detailed medical report, including the oxygen saturation on room air, on supplemental oxygen and oxygen flow rate, along with your MEDIF certificate.
Physical disabilities and supporting devices
We have a number of wheelchair options available to help guests with limited mobility. Please simply request assistance in advance to avoid delays at the airport. Electric wheelchairs must be dry-cell operated in order to meet our cabin safety requirements.
Assistive devices such as canes, crutches and foldable walkers are allowed in the cabin, but they must be securely stored before take-off and landing. Cabin chairs are available on board all of our flights to assist non-ambulatory guests to move to and from the aircraft toilets. The majority of our aircraft are also equipped with accessible toilets.
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
- CARES Harness for children over 1 year old and weighing up to 20kg (Economy only)
- SPECIAL CARES Harness for adult guests with special needs and children weighing more than 20kg
- CRELLING Harness (Model 27)
- Economy cabin only: Type 27I (2-5 years) and Type 27A (5-8 years)
- All cabins: Type 27B (9 years - adult)
- CRELLING Shoulder Strap (HSB1)
- Economy cabin only: Type HSB1 (2 years - adult)
Decompression sickness
Decompression sickness occurs if diving is followed immediately by travel to altitudes above sea level. If you have been scuba diving, we advise you delay your travel by 24 hours and by 48 hours after decompression diving.
If you’re suffering from decompression sickness, you will need to obtain medical clearance through MEDIF. Refer to our Fitness to fly guidelines to understand how soon you are able to travel after suffering from decompression sickness.
Newborn babies
Newborn babies are permitted to fly seven days after birth, provided that the baby was not premature and there were no complications resulting from the birth. If the baby was born prematurely or there were complications, you are required to submit a MEDIF form and medical report.
Expectant mothers
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. From weeks 29 to 36, you will require a medical certificate to fly, which you’ll have to present when you check in at the airport.
Flying as an expectant mother