Medical requirements
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Medical - passengers with Reduced Mobility
Whatever you want
At Thomas Cook Airlines, we want you to have everything you need to make your journey comfortable and enjoyable. That's why we offer a comprehensive range of pre-bookable services designed to meet your specific needs. Just choose the service you require and call us no later than 48 hours before your departure (can be booked as early as the day the reservation is made) to make your request. We'll take care of the rest.
A carer must travel with any passenger who does not meet the DFT (Department for Transport) code of practice definition of self reliance.
In establishing whether someone is "self-reliant" the DFT stipulate that the passenger should be independent in the following areas:
- Feeding - the passenger should be capable of feeding themselves. Cabin crew could still expect to assist with opening food containers and describing catering arrangements to blind people.
- Lifting - the passenger should be capable of moving from a passenger seat to an on-board wheelchair.
- Toileting - the passenger should be capable of using the toilet facilities unaided.
- Communicating - the passenger should be able to communicate with cabin crew and understand their advice/instructions.
- Medicating - the passenger should be capable of administering their own medicines and medical procedures.
- Breathing - the passenger should not be reliant on supplementary oxygen.
If you are not self-reliant (capable of taking care of all your physical needs independently in-flight) a carer is required for travel to take care of these needs. The carer must purchase a ticket at the same time.
A carer can travel with a maximum of 2 passengers requiring additional assistance as outlined above.
Due to CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) regulations, any persons with reduced mobility or any physical disability or intellectual impairment cannot be allocated seats adjacent to the emergency exits.
Additional assistance
If you require any additional assistance at the airport, during your journey or on arrival, simply call us no later than 48 hours before your departure.
We'll make sure help is at hand.
Customers requiring additional assistance
Thomas Cook Airlines is committed to looking after all its customers and none more so than those who may require additional assistance. Should you feel you have a need for particular support please contact us on 0844 855 0515 so that we can ensure that our customer service team deliver the best possible service.
Advice for passengers requiring additional assistance or medical conditions
Some medical conditions require a fitness to fly certificate. If you consider yourself to have a condition that will require your G.P. to give authorisation for travel, please obtain a certificate from your G.P. stating you are fit to travel prior to contacting ourselves. If in doubt please contact us on 0844 855 0515.
Thomas Cook Airlines welcomes those who might require a little extra assistance (for example) due to, age or disability, and our cabin crew will do all they can to make sure your flight is enjoyable. To ensure all the assistance you require can be arranged, we request that you check with us before booking your holiday. This is because facilities and services vary from country to country and airport to airport.
The airport will signpost designated points for passengerw with reduced mobility.
Wheelchair users
If you have your own wheelchair, this will be carried free of charge in addition to your normal baggage allowance. Since a wheelchair is carried in the hold and collected in the baggage reclaim area, we advise that it is adequately insured against loss or damage since the airline liability is limited.
Electronically powered wheelchairs will be accepted for travel, providing that the general conditions for their carriage, as outlined in the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, are met. These relate to the batteries used to power wheelchairs. Since the batteries will remain attached to the wheelchair, it is important that the wheelchair can be easily stored in an upright position when collapsed for carriage. Batteries must be disconnected and the battery terminals insulated to prevent accidental shorting.
If you are a wheelchair user or have reduced mobility, you need to call us on 0844 855 0515 prior to booking, to request assistance service at airports. If you do not request this in advance we cannot guarantee that this service will be available, as there is a limit on the number of passengers with reduced mobility and the number of wheelchairs we are able to assist on the day with no pre-notification.
Assistance dogs
We are able to carry guide dogs on many routes, please call our customer service team on 0844 855 0515 for full details.
For more information on Pet Travel Scheme you can call or make contact in the
following ways:
PETS Help Line: 44 (0) 870 241 1710 Monday to Friday 0830 - 1700
PETS Website: www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine
PETS Email: pets.helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Stretchers
Stretchers are not carried on-board Thomas Cook Airlines flights.
Oxygen
For safety reasons customers are not permitted to carry their own oxygen for use on-board.
Additional oxygen can be provided (on flights where the duration is less than 5 hours) at a
charge of £100 each way.
Only one customer can be carried per flight requiring additional oxygen, we therefore
recommend that you call 0844 855 0515 prior to booking your holiday so that we can
discuss your requirements.
This service must be booked at least 21 days prior to departure.
Medication
Customers carrying syringes and/or needles must carry a doctors note or a repeat prescription
as confirmation of medical requirement.
Hearing impaired
If you are hearing impaired and require assistance, please call our Customer Services Team on 0844 855 0515. Alternatively email your request to TCHDPreTravelAdmin@thomascook.com.
The in-flight safety video includes subtitles. We also offer separate briefing about safety procedures for deaf and hard of hearing customers on-board.
Visually impaired
If you are blind or visually impaired and are unable to travel without assistance are required to travel with a carer who must purchase a seat.
Braille cards are available on request.
Expectant mothers
Expectant mothers will be accepted without a medical certificate up to the end of the 28th week of pregnancy.
From 29th week the expectant mother must produce a medical certificate confirming the expected date of delivery and confirming fitness to fly (Doctors letter must have been written no earlier than 6 weeks before the outbound date of travel).
Expectant mothers will not be accepted under any circumstance from 34th week.
In the case of a Multiple Pregnancy the pregnancy should not be beyond the 32nd week at the time of the return inbound flight.
Miscarriage
Passengers who have had a recent miscarriage may fly provided that they have had no bleeding or pain for at least 24 hours prior to the date of travel. A letter should be obtained from the passenger's doctor confirming this.
Broken limbs
Any plaster cast must have been set in place for over 48 hours for legs and 24 hours for arms.
In the case of a full leg plaster, where the leg cannot be bent, 2 additional seats must be purchased.
Seat Width
The seat width on our aircrafts vary from 16.25 to 18 inches depending on aircraft type or grade of seat purchased. We realise that some larger customers, due to their size, often find that aircraft seat width is insufficient for their needs. For your own safety and comfort and that of other customers, you must advise your tour operator or your travel agent at the time of booking if you know or are unsure as to whether the seat size on the aircraft will be sufficient for your needs. If you do require additional space, then subject to availability, you can purchase more than one seat located side by side or if you prefer, a wider seat in an upgraded class (where applicable). We regret however, that due to additional costs incurred by your tour operator, you will have to pay the full cost of all seats required by you, plus any upgrade supplement per seat.
If you have purchased an extra seat due to your size, please contact us on 0844 855 0515.
