Request
medical assistance
for your trip
Flying with a medical condition, have a disability or just require a little bit of extra assistance? Whatever support you need, we’re here to help. Our priority is that you fly comfortably and safely.
Read our guidelines to understand how we determine if you’re medically fit to fly. If you need to apply for medical clearance, please complete a MEDIF form
You’ll need medical clearance to fly if you:
*Only dry cell battery operated devices are accepted on board. Please ensure they have sufficient charge to last one and a half times the duration of your flight.
If you have any doubt, always consult your doctor before flying.
If you need medical clearance to fly, make sure to submit your MEDIF form (Medical Information for Fitness to Travel) and most recent medical report at least 72 hours before your flight by email to contactcentre@etihad.ae. If approved, you’ll be issued with a certificate from the Etihad Airways Medical Centre (EAMC) which states that you are fit to fly. Keep this with you at all times during your flight.
Book our fast-track, pre-flight assessment for clearance to fly within one working day.
Our doctor will complete all medical forms and assessments on site to determine whether you’re fit to fly on the same day.
It cost AED1500 per visit in Abu Dhabi or AED2000 per visit in Al Ain, Dubai and locations outside of Abu Dhabi.
Call +971 600 555666 to book or email a MEDA Pre-flight Assessment Form to contactcentre@etihad.ae
Get in touch to let us know what you need or request assistance when you book your flight.
Please let us know before your flight to make sure we have everything in place to make your journey as comfortable as possible. Whether you need to request a special meal, arrange a wheelchair or book our onboard nurse service, please send an email to contactcentre@etihad.ae.
Flying with a partner airline? Services differ from one airline to another. Please contact the operating airline for all assistance enquiries.
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. If you have any dietary requirements, please request a meal before you fly.
If you are at risk of anaphylaxis due to allergens, you must:
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 visual 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 board the aircraft. On board, our cabin crew will read the menu for you, help you identify food items, place them on your tray and assist with opening packages if you need it.
You do not need medical clearance to fly unless:
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
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
In some cases, you may be required to travel with a safety assistant or a personal care attendant. An escort must be above the age of 18 years old and both physically and mentally capable of attending to the guest.
Safety assistant
A safety assistant will help a guest to exit the aircraft in the case of an emergency evacuation or will establish communication with our cabin crew for the safety briefing. A safety assistant will not look after a guest’s personal needs.
A safety assistant is required in the following situations
Personal care attendant
A personal care attendant should be fully familiar with the condition and requirements of the guest and is capable of attending to their needs throughout the flight. This includes administering medication, eating and drinking and help with using the toilet facilities.
Guests who are not self-reliant are strongly recommended to travel with a personal care attendant.
Approved devices
All medical devices intended to be used on board must be labelled by the manufacturer to reflect that it has been tested to meet applicable United States Federal Aviation Authority/Department of Transportation requirements for medical portable electronic devices.
Alternatively, you may provide a compliance letter or certificate from the manufacturer stating the FAA approval. All medical devices must be dry-cell battery operated with sufficient battery supply for 1.5 times the flight duration.
All ventilated cases require prior submission of MEDIF to obtain medical clearance and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Etihad Airways Medical Centre. If approved, all ventilated cases must be accompanied by a physician experienced in aeromedical transportation.
Battery requirements
Lithium battery powered medical devices with a watt rating between 100Wh – 160Wh, or with a lithium metal content between 2g – 8 g, require prior approval. If approved, you may carry a maximum of two spare batteries. Please get in touch with our Global Contact Centre at least 48 hours before your flight.
For all other battery powered medical devices, you must carry sufficient battery supply to power the device for 1.5 times the flight duration. This includes lithium batteries with a Wh rating of up to 100Wh, or with a lithium metal content of up to 2g.
Spare batteries must be carried in cabin baggage only. They must be individually packaged in a way that protects them from damage and that all terminals are insulated.
If you are carrying a battery-powered medical device on board but do not intend to use it during the flight, or if you are carrying the device in your checked baggage, the device must be properly switched off (not in sleep or hibernation mode) and protected from damage or unintentional activation.
Portable oxygen concentrator
If you intend to use your own device on board, you must submit a MEDIF to obtain medical clearance at least 72 hours before your flight. You must use your own Personal Oxygen Concentrator (POC) before boarding, after landing and during transit.
We provide oxygen (with a simple facemask or nasal cannula at 1L, 2L, 3L, or 4L/min) for use onboard our aircraft. 4L/min may not be available on certain long-haul routes. We use the “Zero Two” oxygen cylinder which is compatible with other medical equipment. You can find more details and specifications here.
You must also present a medical certificate, signed by a licensed physician, at check-in at least one hour before your flight.
The medical certificate must state
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
Whether or not oxygen use is medically necessary for all or a portion of the duration of the trip
Specify the maximum oxygen flow rate (corresponding to the pressure in the cabin of the aircraft under normal operating conditions)
GCAA Authorised/ FAA Approved Brands
The following devices are currently permitted for use on board our aircraft
If your device is newly approved by the United States Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) and is not listed above, please submit a MEDIF to obtain medical clearance at least five days before your flight and provide the supporting documents.
If you are a carrying a battery-powered, personal oxygen concentrator on board as cabin baggage but do not intend to use it during the flight, the battery must be removed. It must be packaged separately unless the concentrator contains at least two protective features to prevent accidental operation during transport.
Carrying and using personal oxygen concentrators
Personal oxygen concentrators may be carried on and used on board under the following conditions
If you’re using a portable oxygen concentrator, you must comply with the following conditions to use the device on board the aircraft
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure devices (CPAP/BIPAP)
Carrying and using CPAP/BIPAP devices
Prior medical clearance is not required to carry of use a CPAP/BIPAP device on board, provided that the following conditions are met
Our check-in staff will ensure that the device is in compliance with these conditions.
Respirators and ventilators
Prior medical clearance through the MEDIF system is required to travel with a respirator or ventilator.
If you intend to use the device on board, you must notify us at least 72 hours before your flight.
If you need to use a ventilator you will usually be accompanied by a physician or experienced nurse. The appropriateness of a nurse or doctor escort will be evaluated by the Etihad Airways Medical Centre, based on the provided medical reports.
Carrying and using respirators and ventilators
Respirators and ventilators may be carried on and used on board under the following conditions
Portable dialysis devices
Portable Dialysis devices are permitted as cabin or checked baggage, as long as they comply with all safety and security regulations. The device must be within our maximum cabin dimension to be carried as cabin baggage. If the device does not meet the required regulations to be carried on board, it must be carried as checked baggage with no extra charge.
The device must not be used at any time during the flight. It must be properly switched off (not in sleep or hibernation mode) and protected from damage.
In the interest of health and comfort, all of our aircraft are regularly treated with insecticides to comply with International Health Regulations. Please consider all flights as treated with insecticides.
Flights to and from the Seychelles require our teams to carry out additional insecticide treatments when the cabin is sealed and all guests are on board.
Etihad Airways is covered by this rule for any flight to or from a US airport. To view a copy of the US Rule for Non-discrimination on the Basis of Disability in Air Travel applicable to all flights from and to the US, please ask one of our team at our airports serving the US.
Alternatively, you can contact the US Department of Transportation
Accessible toilets
Most of our aircraft are equipped with accessible toilets. Wheelchairs are also available on all of our flights to help non-ambulatory guests move to and from the aircraft toilets. Our cabin crew are unable to assist guests using the toilet facilities.
Choose your seat
Our choice of seats on board mean that you can find a spot where you’ll feel most comfortable, whether you’d prefer extra legroom, an aisle or exit row seat, or to be sat close to a toilet. This service is free of charge for you and the person accompanying you. We recommend that you reserve your seat as soon as you can so that we can make sure that we have the right seat available for you.
Book your seat
Emergency medical equipment
Our aircraft are equipped with emergency medical equipment in the case of any medical emergencies. Hospital admission, ambulance or transfer arrangements are the responsibilities of the guest.
Meet and Greet
If you need help getting around the airport, why not book our Meet and Greet service? Fast track through the airport and get assistance with your baggage.
Mobility aids and assistive devices
An assistive device is defined as any piece of equipment that assists with a disability, including medication, syringes, dialysis fluids, catheters and bed pads.
Mobility aids, such as canes, crutches and foldable walkers, and assistive devices are permitted on board. You can carry up to two mobility aids for free, as well as any medical equipment. This is in addition to your checked or cabin baggage allowance. Devices must be no longer than 81cm and securely stowed before take-off and landing. Upon request, our crew will assist you with stowing and retrieving your devices.
Assistive devices must meet all safety and security regulations. Due to weight or size, there may be circumstances where the device is not accepted on board. Please contact us if you need further assistance.
Request a special meal
If you have a specific dietary requirement, you can request a meal at least 24 hours before your flight. Whether for health, medical or religious reasons, we’ll do everything we can to arrange a suitable meal for you. All of the meals we serve on board are prepared in strict compliance with Halal regulations. All of our meals and products are suitable for Muslims, so there is no need to make a request in advance.
Select your meal preference
Stretcher
If you are unable to sit and require a stretcher on board, please request our stretcher service at least 72 hours before your flight. You will need to provide proof of medical clearance before you are accepted to fly. Stretcher cases are only accepted for travel in Economy. In such cases, we will reserve six, eight, nine or twelve seats for you depending on the aircraft type. An escort is mandatory for guests requiring a stretcher. Medical escorts are only required if there is a need for a qualified nurse or doctor.
Wheelchairs
If you need a wheelchair, please let us know as soon as possible before your flight.
You can request a wheelchair from the following categories:
Book a Ramp or Step Wheelchair through Manage my booking or call us to reserve a Cabin Wheelchair.
Bringing your own wheelchair
You can bring your own wheelchair for free in addition to your checked baggage allowance. The height and weight of the wheelchair should not exceed 120cm and 60kg. Contact us if your wheelchair does not meet these dimensions.
All battery powered wheelchairs and mobility aids require prior approval. Please get in touch with our Global Contact Centre and we'll be happy to help.
Wheelchairs and mobility aids with lithium batteries
Wheelchairs and mobility aids with non-spillable wet batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries or dry batteries
Batteries may remain securely attached to the wheelchair, with all electrical circuits isolated. If the wheelchair is designed with a detachable battery, you may remove the battery, package it in a strong container and carry it as checked baggage only. You are permitted to carry one spare non-spillable battery or two spare nickel-metal hydride batteries, which must be safely packaged and carried as checked baggage.
Wheelchairs and mobility aids with spillable batteries
If your wheelchair or mobility aid is powered by a spillable battery, the battery may remain securely attached to the wheelchair as long as all electrical circuits are isolated and we are able to load, stow, secure and unload the aid in an upright position at all times during the journey. This may depend on the aircraft type.
All Etihad Airways aircraft operating to and from the US have a priority space in the cabin for the stowage of one folding wheelchair. This space is available on a first come, first served basis.
