Air Vanuatu Special Assistance

Your comfort is Air Vanuatu’s main priority. They are aware that traveling can be stressful at times, especially when you require more assistance. To make your journey as easy and relaxed as possible, Air Vantanu’s special assistance program has tailored services. They are available 24/7 to help, whether you require a wheelchair, assistance with medical equipment, or simply some direction navigating the airport. Moreover, their amiable and committed staff is available at all times to provide one-on-one assistance, ensuring that you feel at ease, secure, and well-cared for. Therefore, 

Air Vanuatu’s Special Assistance for Expectant Mothers:

If you plan to fly while pregnant, it is strongly recommended that you consult your doctor before confirming your travel plans. Travel with Air Vanuatu is allowed up until and including week 35 of pregnancy. 

However, travelers who are more than 28 weeks pregnant are advised to have a current medical certificate from a licensed healthcare professional for their comfort and protection. 

This document must be shown at check-in if the need arises. Prior medical approval reduces any possible health concerns for both mother and child while ensuring smooth travel.

Air Vanuatu’s Special Assistance When Flying with Children: 

Traveling with children requires thoughtful planning, especially when flying. Air Vanuatu special assistance offers a range of services designed to support parents and caregivers when flying with infants and young children, ensuring a smoother and more comfortable travel experience.

• Infants and Children:

Children below two are regarded as infants and should travel on the accompanying adult’s lap. 

Children aged 2 – 11 are assigned seats with a baggage allowance similar to adults. 

A separate adult must accompany each infant for safety purposes. Infants do not receive their own seat unless a child fare is purchased, and they pay just 10% of the adult fare. Booster seats are not permitted onboard, and all infants must hold valid passports.

• Baggage Allowance Guidelines:

When traveling with children, you can expect a generous baggage policy tailored to meet family needs. Packing is made easier for children aged 2 to 11 who are entitled to the same standard luggage allowance as adult passengers. 

Infants below two are given a 10 kg checked baggage allowance. Families are also allowed to check in one infant car seat, pushchair, or foldable stroller for free. Throughout your trip, these goods guarantee easier mobility and ease. 

You can verify your luggage rights online via the “Manage My Booking” link to prevent any confusion, or you can ask airport check-in employees directly for individualized help and a waiver application.

• Strollers and Onboard Handling:

Air Vanuatu special assistance employees pick up strollers at the boarding gate for the convenience of families with young children. This makes it easier and more pleasant for both the guardian and the child to navigate the airport by enabling parents to use the stroller all the way up until they board the plane. 

To guarantee it stays secure and undamaged during the journey, the stroller is properly labeled, handled with care, and placed in a special baggage container on board after it is picked up. In order to facilitate an effortless journey through the airport and enable instant use following disembarkation. Airline staff return the stroller at the aircraft door or arrival gate upon landing.

• Seating Options and Other Facilities:

When booking an infant online with Air Vanuatu, the child will automatically be assigned to travel without a separate seat and must be held on the accompanying adult’s lap in the entire duration of the flight. 

Infants, defined as children under 2 years old, are charged only 10% of the applicable adult fare. However, they don’t get a separate seat. 

On Air Vanuatu’s international routes between Australia, New Zealand, and Vanuatu, flights are operated using Boeing 737-800 aircraft, which do not feature onboard bassinets. 

While the airline does try to allocate an additional empty seat next to the adult for added comfort, this cannot be guaranteed and depends on seat availability as determined by the Air Vanuatu duty representative. 

Due to safety purposes, only an adult can nurse or hold an infant when on an Air Vanuatu flight. Booster seats aren’t allowed in the aircraft. 

• Kids’ Meal Options:

Traveling with little ones just got easier with Air Vanuatu’s special assistance services! Special kids’ meals are offered on international flights connecting Vanuatu with Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. 

These meals are apt for kids between 2 and 10 years of age and need to be requested when you book your flight. If you’re traveling with a younger one, infant meals are also available on these routes, but remember to request them in advance as well. This ensures your child’s dietary needs are met, making for a more comfortable journey for the whole family.

Furthermore, Air Vanuatu’s meal service on short flights is currently quite limited and doesn’t cater to special dietary needs. If you have any particular requirements, the airline requests you to carry your own snack or meal to ensure a seamless travel. 

• Air Vanuatu’s Unaccompanied Minor Services 

For minors traveling unaccompanied on Air Vanuatu flights, here is what to note: 

• Age:

Air Vanuatu assists kids aged 5 to 11 years traveling alone as unaccompanied minors on their flights.

• Booking Procedure:

Unaccompanied minor bookings cannot be made online. They must be arranged through an Air Vanuatu Sales Office or via your Travel Agent.

• Required Documentation:

Parents or guardians are required to complete an official Unaccompanied Minor form provided by Air Vanuatu.
This form must include detailed contact information of the guardians at both the departure and arrival locations.

• Requirements to Check-in

The completed “UM” form must be presented at the airport during check-in for verification.

• Escort & Supervision:

After your child has checked the airline staff or a ground handler will escort him or her through all procedures at the airport. 

• In-flight Care:

While on board, cabin crew will supervise the child and ensure they are safe, comfortable, and attended to throughout the journey.

• Arrival Procedures:

Upon landing, your child will be assisted through arrival formalities and safely handed over to the nominated guardian specified in the UM form.

• Special Note:

If a child is traveling on the same flight as a parent but in a different cabin class, the child will still be considered an unaccompanied minor and must follow the UM process.

• Requirements for Children Travelling with Different Surnames:

As per Air Vanuatu’s special assistance program, passengers traveling with a child under the age of eighteen who has an alternative surname are advised by customs and immigration officials to furnish a signed letter from both their parents or their legal guardians  The child’s permission to go with the accompanying adult should be stated in this letter. 

In order to verify the relationship and legal guardianship, travelers are also advised to provide a copy of the child’s birth certificate. These documents help prevent delays at border control and ensure compliance with regulations designed to protect children from potential abduction or custody disputes during international travel.

• At The Airport And Boarding:

To ensure they have enough time for all pre-flight procedures, such as check-in, security screening, and Customs or Immigration procedures, families flying with Air Vanuatu are advised to be at the airport well in advance. 

Check-in desks for international flights, including those to and from New Zealand, open three hours prior to the planned departure time. Sixty minutes before departure, these counters firmly close. Check-in starts two hours early for domestic flights and ends forty-five minutes before takeoff. The check-in starts two hours before your flight departs, and ends when there is just forty-five minutes left for your flight to take off. 

Being on time is crucial to a successful trip. Families with young children or newborns are also given preference when it comes to the boarding process. Early boarding allows them to get adjusted to their seats comfortably. 

Also Read: Air Vanuatu Wheelchair Assistance

• Does Air Vanuatu Offer In-flight Entertainment for Kids?

Air Vanuatu recommends that parents bring tablets, coloring books, or small, quiet toys to help keep their children entertained during the flight.  

To make the trip more enjoyable for young passengers, it is strongly advised that parents bring tablets, coloring books, or proper toys to keep their children entertained during the flight. 

Remember that all electronic devices are prohibited during critical flight phases, such as takeoff and landing, and that cabin crew will notify you when it is safe to use them again.

• Medical Clearance Required for Air Vanuatu Flights

Before flying, those with medical issues who are returning home after receiving treatment or traveling for treatment have to get medical clearance. This procedure guarantees that the airline can deliver safe and comfortable travel and is fully informed of the passenger’s health. 

Travelers must fill out and submit certain paperwork, such as the Medical Information Form (MEDIF) and the Harmless Discharge Form, in order to receive this clearance. By using these documents, the airline’s medical staff can evaluate the person’s suitability for travel and determine whether any special equipment or help is required throughout the journey. For travel arrangements to go smoothly, submissions must be made on time.

Conclusion:

Air Vanuatu’s Special Assistance services are thoughtfully designed to provide care, comfort, and confidence to every traveler, whether you’re flying while pregnant, with young children, or as an unaccompanied minor. Their trained crew members ensure personalized attention and smooth transitions. Inclusive travel is indeed a priority for Air Vanuatu, and they seem clear with their policies, alongside their rules and regulations. Their commitment to accessibility and safety is reflected in every step of your journey. With Air Vanuatu, rest assured that your needs are not only met, but anticipated with warmth and care.

FAQs: