Garuda Indonesia Special Assistance

At Garuda Indonesia, their team knows that no two journeys are the same, and some travelers may need a little extra support along the way. That’s why the Garuda Indonesia special assistance program is designed to make your trip as smooth, safe, and comfortable as possible. Whether you need a wheelchair at the airport, assistance boarding or disembarking, have a medical condition requiring special attention, or are traveling with an infant or a pregnant woman, their friendly and trained staff is here to help. They advise you to communicate your requirements ahead of time so they can prepare everything in advance. This approach ensures you can fully enjoy your journey while they attend to the details that are most important to you.

A Quick Guide to Garuda Indonesia Special Assistance:

Garuda Indonesia provides special assistance that is available for unaccompanied children, infants, incapacitated persons, pregnant women, passengers with medical conditions, and other travelers with specific needs. To ensure smooth travel, these services must be arranged in advance with the airline.

Garuda Indonesia makes sure travelers with disabilities who’ve arranged their needs at booking can fly without worry. As long as safety rules are followed, the airline won’t deny boarding just because of a passenger’s condition, ensuring fair and respectful treatment.

1. Special Assistance If Traveling with a Companion:

Garuda Indonesia’s special assistance team may require travelers to travel with a companion if:

• Assistance is essential for safety.
  
• The passenger cannot evacuate independently.
  
• There is an impairment preventing the understanding of safety instructions.
  

Furthermore, children under six can’t travel solo; they have to be with a parent, guardian, or another responsible adult. This ensures they are safe, cared for, and guided throughout the journey, from check-in to arrival, making the trip smooth and worry-free for everyone.

2. Special Assistance For Pregnant Passengers:

Pregnant passengers should notify the airline during booking and check-in. Travel is subject to specific carriage conditions, ensuring safety, comfort, and compliance with medical and airline guidelines.

• Up to 32 weeks:

If you are up to 32 weeks pregnant, you can still fly, but you’ll need to sign a Form of Indemnity to confirm responsibility.

• 32–36 weeks:

Pregnant travelers must provide a valid medical certificate, issued within 30 days of departure, clearly stating their stage of pregnancy and confirming they are fit to fly. Additionally, a signed Limited Liability Statement is required, acknowledging the airline’s policies and releasing it from responsibility for any complications that may arise during the journey.

• Above 36 weeks: 

Once you have crossed 36 weeks, the airline won’t accept you for travel, as flying that late in pregnancy can be risky for both mother and baby.

3. Special Assistance When Traveling with Infants:

Garuda Indonesia’s special assistance team generally does not permit travel for infants younger than 48 hours old, prioritizing their health and safety. Infants aged between 48 hours and 7 days may be allowed to travel, but only with medical clearance issued by Garuda Sentra Medika and a signed Limited Liability Statement from a parent or guardian. Babies aged seven days to two years are permitted, and do not need to provide a medical clearance. Premature babies are allowed and are considered as medical cases. Hey will be regarded as incapacitated passengers. 

To maintain safety standards and ensure proper care on board, the airline limits the number of infants allowed on each flight to a maximum of 10% of the aircraft’s total seating capacity. Early booking is recommended for infant travelers.

Infants can occupy a seat, provided a separate seat has been purchased for them. They should be accompanied by a legal guardian or a parent who is to be seated exactly next to them. The infant should also be at least six months old. Garuda Indonesia provides for baby bassinets, though it isn’t available on all aircrafts. Early requests have to be made as it is on a first-come-first-serve basis. A single bassinet can accommodate an infant weighing no more than 9 kgs. 

4. Traveling with Medical Equipment:

Travelers intending to use electrical or electronic medical equipment during their flight must secure prior approval from the airline. This is to confirm that the device will not interfere with the aircraft’s navigation or communication systems. Depending on the nature of the equipment or the passenger’s medical condition, additional Medical Clearance from Garuda Sentra Medika may also be necessary to ensure safe and compliant travel for all on board.

• You must notify the airline about your special equipment or medical needs while booking, so they can make proper arrangements and ensure a smooth, hassle-free journey.
• Learn to operate and troubleshoot your medical equipment independently, since cabin crew lack specialized training to assist, ensuring your comfort and safety throughout the flight.
• You need to remain ready to power down your device immediately if the crew suspects it interferes with aircraft systems, prioritizing safety and compliance with airline and aviation regulations.

5. Assistance for Deaf or Hearing-Impaired Passengers:

If you are deaf or hearing impaired, Garuda Indonesia’s special assistance team encourages you to notify the airline at the time of booking. This ensures the necessary arrangements are made to help you during your journey.

• Visual Flight Information:

All around the airport, you will find monitors showing the latest flight schedules, boarding times, and gate numbers. Most gate areas also have electronic displays, so everyone, including travelers with hearing impairments, can easily keep track of updates without missing a thing.

• Extra Support at the Airport:

If you let the check-in staff know about your hearing condition, they can make sure you are kept in the loop with any delays, gate changes, or boarding calls after check-in. That way, you will get direct updates without having to rely only on overhead announcements.

• Smooth Communication:

From visual alerts to one-on-one guidance, the airline takes extra steps to keep you informed. These small but important touches make it easier to navigate the airport, handle last-minute changes, and travel hassle-free, even when things get busy or noisy.

6. Guidelines for Passengers with Heart Pacemakers:

If you have a heart pacemaker, you can fly with Garuda Indonesia worry-free. The airline doesn’t require any special approval for its use onboard, so you can simply board, relax, and focus on enjoying your journey.

• Self-Powered Devices: 

Since not every flight offers in-seat power, it’s smart to make sure your pacemaker runs on a gel or dry battery. That way, you won’t have to worry about it relying on the plane’s power supply.

• Battery Duration: 

Always aim for your pacemaker’s battery to last at least 150% of your total flight time. This extra buffer ensures it keeps running smoothly even if there are delays, diversions, or longer-than-expected travel times.

7. Special Assistance When Traveling with CPAP Machines:

If you need a CPAP device for medical reasons, you are more than welcome to bring and use it on board. Just make sure it meets the airline’s safety guidelines so everything runs smoothly during your flight.

Device Requirements:

• The device needs to be safe for use on board, meaning it can’t mess with the plane’s electrical, navigation, or communication systems in any way.
  
• For everyone’s safety, smoking or using open flames is a big no-no within 10 feet (around 3 meters) of a CPAP user, and flights are smoke-free anyway.

Usage During the Flight:

• During take-off, landing, and taxi, your CPAP device needs to be safely tucked away, either under the seat in front of you or in an approved storage spot. Just make sure it’s not blocking aisles or emergency exits, so everyone stays safe and comfortable.

• If you are traveling with a CPAP device, keep in mind you can’t sit in an exit row as those seats need to be clear for quick emergency access and safety.

Travel Clearance and Notification:

• When booking your flight, make sure you get travel clearance by completing MEDIF (Part 1&2) from the GSM (Garuda Sentra Medika) Travel Clinic. This step ensures the airline knows your medical needs and can prepare accordingly.

• If you are planning to use a CPAP device on your flight, give Garuda’s booking team and the GSM clinic a heads-up at least 48 hours before you depart. This early notice lets them make all the necessary arrangements so your trip goes smoothly.

8. Special Assistance For Portable Oxygen Concentrator (POC):

If you’re flying with a medical condition, a bit of extra planning can go a long way, especially if you rely on a portable oxygen concentrator (POC). Garuda Indonesia makes it easier by offering clear rules and helpful support so you can bring and use an approved POC onboard, all while keeping your trip safe and comfortable.

Also Read: Garuda Indonesia Wheelchair Assistance

Approval Requirement for Traveling with a POC:

Before your trip, you must obtain an official travel clearance from Garuda Sentra Medika (GSM) in the form of MEDIF Part 2. This clearance must be secured before check-in and is mandatory for passengers who plan to use a POC during the flight.

To get the approval, you will need to submit your medical records to GSM for review and examination. Only after successful verification will the airline grant permission for you to travel with your device.

POC Device Specifications:

Your POC should meet the airline’s cabin safety requirements. Specifically:

• The size must be compact enough to fit and be stowed securely under the seat in front of you.
  
• The device must be self-powered using either a gel battery or a dry battery type.
  
• You must carry enough batteries to cover at least 150% of the total flight time.

Not all models are approved, for which you have to get in touch with Garuda’s customer support.

9. Special Assistance For Traveling with Animals:

Flying with Garuda Indonesia is already a comfortable experience, but if you are thinking about bringing your furry friend along, there are a few important things to know. The airline takes animal carriage seriously, with clear guidelines to ensure safety and comfort for everyone on board.

Not All Flights Can Carry Animals:

Garuda Indonesia special assistance reserves the right to refuse to carry animals at its sole discretion. Even when approved, animals can only travel on domestic flights with:

• A flying time of less than two hours
  
• No transit stops. Also, pets are not accepted on ATR72-600 aircraft.

Proper Crating and Documentation Are a Must:

If your pet is approved for travel, you will need to make sure they’re:

• In a proper crate or container that meets legal requirements
  
• Accompanied by valid health and vaccination certificates
  
• Equipped with entry permits and any other required documents
  

Without these, the airline will not accept your animal for carriage. Additional specific conditions may also apply, and you can request these from Garuda before your trip.

How Pet Baggage Works:

If your pet travels as checked baggage, keep in mind:

• The animal, its container, and any food are not part of your free baggage allowance.
  
• You will need to pay excess baggage fees based on the applicable rate.
  

Guide Dogs for Passengers with Disabilities:

Garuda Indonesia’s special assistance makes an exception for guide dogs assisting passengers with disabilities. They are carried free of charge and in addition to your regular baggage allowance, but again, this is subject to certain conditions you can confirm with the airline beforehand.

Liability and Responsibility:

If the flight isn’t covered by the liability rules of the Convention, Garuda will not be responsible for any injury, sickness, loss, or death of the animal unless proven negligent. They also aren’t liable if your pet doesn’t have the correct documents for entry into or transit through a country. In such cases, the passenger must cover any fines, costs, or losses incurred.

Conclusion:

The genuine attention that goes into Garuda Indonesia’s special assistance program guarantees that every traveler, regardless of their circumstances, can travel in luxury and peace of mind. From helping expectant mothers and families with infants to supporting travelers with medical equipment, disabilities, or service animals, the airline goes the extra mile to provide safe, personalized, and reliable support. By outlining your needs ahead of time, you enable the Garuda team to have everything ready for a smooth trip. You may concentrate on enjoying your trip while they handle the crucial elements thanks to their welcoming, well-trained team and transparent service policies.

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