Travelling with a Medical Condition
In some cases, you are required to have medical clearance before you can travel.
This medical clearance allows your doctor to ensure it is safe for you to travel and it also allows Air New Zealand to make arrangements for special services as required.
Medical Clearance Required Prior to Travel
No Medical Clearance Necessary But Please Tell Us!
MEDA Forms
Your travel agent can provide you with a medical clearance form known as a MEDA. Alternatively you can download and print the form yourself by clicking on the PDF file below.
The document consists of four pages:
- Page 1 is the MEDA form itself. You or your Travel Agent will need to fill in the flight details. Your doctor will fill in the medical details. Once this page has been completed and signed by your doctor, please return this page to your travel agent or Air New Zealand CARINA Services by fax or e-mail at least 5 days before you travel. Details of where to send it are included on the MEDA form.
- Pages 2 and 3 contain information on when you need to fill out a MEDA form and factors to consider when flying with a medical condition.
- Page 4 is a supplementary form which needs to be completed only if you will be travelling on a stretcher. This page, when applicable, will also need to be completed and signed by your doctor and faxed to Air New Zealand CARINA Services at least 5 days before you travel. Details of where to send it are included on the MEDA form.
Medical Fitness Airtravel July 2009
Medical Clearance Required Prior to Travel
A medical clearance is required if you have a medical condition which results in there being doubt that you can complete the flight safely, without requiring extraordinary medical assistance during the flight, or which poses a risk to other passengers.
Some examples of conditions that may limit your ability to complete the flight safely include but are not limited to:
- Heart disease
- Psychiatric conditions
- Late pregnancy
- Lung disease
- Ear and sinus problems
- Recent bone fractures set in a cast
A medical clearance is always required when travelling in a stretcher or incubator or if medical oxygen is required during the flight.
If there is concern that you have an infectious disease, medical clearance is also required. This includes any illness that could be contagious at the time of travel, particularly chicken pox, tuberculosis, measles and mumps.
For your own safety and wellbeing Air New Zealand strongly recommends that when requesting clearance you have your doctor complete the attached medical clearance form.
No Medical Clearance Necessary - But Please Tell Us
A medical clearance is not required for the following conditions but, in order to provide you with the best possible service, it is recommended that you provide Air New Zealand with advance notice of your travelling and seating requirements. When you book your travel, please let us know what kind of assistance you require.
- Otherwise healthy but have mobility difficulties and need a wheelchair
- Rehabilitated paraplegic/quadriplegic (You may need a Safety Assistant)
- Visually impaired or blind
- Hearing impaired or deaf
Medications
If you require any medication during flight or in the airports, please remember to pack it in your hand baggage.
New Aviation Security measures require you to have a professionally printed label attached to your medication. If possible retain the medicine in the original containers supplied by the pharmacy.
If your medication is required to be kept chilled, seek advice from your pharmacist. You will need to provide a suitable container with the cooling agent (ice or dry ice) inside. Our staff cannot take care of medication or store it in aircraft refrigerators.
Please note Dangerous Goods regulations state that dry ice containers cannot contain more than 2kg of dry ice and must not be sealed. A small vent is required to allow the carbon dioxide gas to escape.
Important: Travelling on Other Airlines
If you are travelling on other airlines, including Air New Zealand's extensive network of partner airlines, you will need to check and comply with the other airlines' regulations. Your travel agent will be able to assist you.
