TRAVELLING

Travelling, for a disabled person, isn't often an easy issue. Bureaucracy, technical and organizational failures, high costs, sometimes refusal of pilots, mishaps, last minute problems, may upset journeys even those well organized in advance.

 

More difficult seems travelling for disabled persons on mechanical ventilation or on oxygen therapy.

 

To help in organizing travelling for disabled persons on mechanical ventilation, the "Gazette International Networking Institute" (GINI) has carried out a survey with many air carriers the results of which are listed below. (Courtesy)

 

As regards the Italian air carrier, ALITALIA, an interview with Prof. Giorgio Riccardi Tenore, Medical Director of ALITALIA, published by D.M. - the quarterly magazine of U.I.L.D.M., the Italian Muscular Dystrophy Association - follows the GINI's survey. (Courtesy)

 

For futher information on travelling we suggest a visit to the website: (http://www.everybody.co.uk)

 

United States Airlines

Alaska Airlines. No electrical hookup. Ventilator and dry or gel cell battery accepted on board, if each will fit under the seat and overhead. Explain about battery to gate agent upon check-in. Battery operation permitted in-flight, apart from take-off and landing.

America West. No electrical hookup. Ventilator and dry cell battery accepted on board. Battery operation permitted in-flight, apart from take-off and landing.

American Airlines. No electrical hookup. Ventilator and battery must be pre-approved by American's engineers. Must provide ventilator name and model number, manufacturer's address, and phone.

Continental Airlines. No use permitted in-flight. Ventilator and dry or gel cell battery accepted on board, if each will fit under the seat and overhead.

Delta. No electrical hookup. Ventilator and battery not permitted on board, but can be checked from gate to gate.

Northwest Airlines. Electrical hookup permitted in-flight if compatible with aircraft type and 115V/400Hz. Battery (dry or gel cell) operation permitted in-flight, apart from take-off and landing. An attendant must accompany passenger. Medical statement from physician required.

Southwest Air. No electrical hookup. Ventilator and dry or gel cell battery accepted on board. Battery operation permitted in-flight, except for take-off and landing.

TWA. Case-by-case basis. Must be approved by medical services and engineering departments.

United. Electrical hookup permitted in some cases. Must provide ventilator and battery names and model numbers, manufacturer's address and phone. Dry cell battery accepted on board if it will fit under the seat.

U.S. Air. No electrical hookup. Battery must be stored in cargo hold.

Reprinted from IVUN News, Volume 12, Nos. 1-3, 1998

With permission of Gazette International Networking Institute,

4207 Lindell Blvd., #110, St. Louis, MO 63108-2915

www.post-polio.org/ivun.html                     gini_intl@msn.com

 

International Airline Carriers

Air Canada. Must approve medical form they will send to passenger's physician. No electrical hookup. Non-spillable batteries permitted.

Air France. Ask for medical desk. No information received.

British Air. Medical information provided by passenger's physician must be approved by medical department in London. No electrical hookup. Non-spillable batteries permitted.

Cathay Pacific. Medical form must be approved by Hong Kong office. Electrical hookup permitted.

China Airlines. No electrical hookup. Non-spillable batteries permitted. Must bring letter from physician stating approval for travel.

El Al. No set policy. Medical form must be approved by El Al physician.

JAL. Must be approved on case-by-case basis by medical desk in Japan. No electrical hookup. Non-spillable batteries permitted, except for take-off and landing.

KLM. Ventilator make, type, voltage and amperage requirements must be approved by technical department. KLM provides 12-V DC electrical outlet on most aircraft. Approval for dry batteries also required from technical department. No wet batteries allowed on board.

Lufthansa. Medical information must be approved by Lufthansa physicians, Permission must also be received from operations department regarding type of ventilator and batteries.

Mexicana. No ventilators permitted.

Qantas. Medical form must be approved by medical desk. Electrical hookup for LP3, LP4 approved for connection to 12/24 V DC aircraft power; LP6 approved for connection to 115V/400Hz if internal switch set to same; PLV-100, PLV-102 approved for connection to 115V/400Hz if units are 110V models. Other units are accepted with non-spillable batteries. Some CPAP systems approved for connection to 115V/400Hz air-craft power.

SAS. Both medical desk and engineering department must approve. Bear volume ventilar pre-approved.

South African Airways. No electrical hookup. Medical form must be approved.

Swiss Air. Must approve medical form they will send to passenger's physician. They provide ventilators. Electrical hookup in specific seats.

Thai Airways. No set policy.

Reprinted from IVUN News, Volume 12, Nos. 1-3, 1998

With permission of Gazette International Networking Institute,

4207 Lindell Blvd., #110, St. Louis, MO 63108-2915

www.post-polio.org/ivun.html                     gini_intl@msn.com