Croatia Airlines Wheelchair Assistance

Enjoy a smooth and relaxed travel experience with Croatia Airlines, where your comfort and mobility are their top priorities. Croatia Airlines’ wheelchair and special assistance team is dedicated to making air travel accessible, dignified, and welcoming for everyone. Their wheelchair assistance service is designed to support passengers who need extra help, starting from the moment you arrive at the airport. 

Whether you need help with check-in, security, boarding, or reaching your seat, their trained staff is here to help. Once you arrive at your destination, they will continue to assist you through baggage claim and the following transportation.

Overview of Croatia Airlines Wheelchair Assistance:

Croatia Airlines is dedicated to providing a safe, comfortable, and inclusive travel experience for all passengers, with particular attention to those with reduced mobility or special needs. In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1107/2006 of the European Parliament and Council, the airline ensures that passengers requiring additional assistance due to physical, medical, or mental conditions receive personalized support throughout their journey. This includes help during check-in, boarding, in-flight, and arrival procedures. 

To provide an effortless and comfortable travel experience, Croatia Airlines places a strong emphasis on accessibility, dignity, and respect. In order to ensure prompt, suitable service that meets their needs, passengers are urged to ask for help in advance.

How to Request Croatia Airlines Wheelchair Assistance?

When traveling with Croatia Airlines, it is critical to let the airline know as soon as possible if you require wheelchair assistance or any other kind of mobility help. It is highly advised that you submit your request at least 72 hours before your planned departure, according to Croatia Airlines. Requests can still be made up to 24 hours before the trip, though. Giving advance notice provides the airline enough time to make the required preparations, ensuring a smooth, secure, and comfortable journey that is customized to meet your mobility requirements from check-in to arrival.

There are several ways to notify Croatia Airlines of your needs:

• Telephone or Ticketing Office Booking:

When booking through a Croatia Airlines ticketing office or over the phone, clearly inform the agent about any specific assistance you require, such as mobility aid, special seating, or medical-related support services.

• Online Booking:

If your reservation was made on the Croatia Airlines Website, you can still request special assistance by sending a detailed email to flyonline@croatiaairlines.hr, specifying the type of help you will need during your journey.

• Post-booking Notification:

If you forget to request assistance while booking, you can still notify Croatia Airlines later by emailing contact@croatiaairlines.hr or calling Croatia Airlines’ Contact Center directly at +385 1 66 76 555 for support.

Types of Wheelchair Assistance Offered by Croatia Airlines:

To meet the needs of travelers with limited mobility, Croatia Airlines provides free wheelchair assistance. This covers people with long-term disabilities, elderly passengers, and people with short-term mobility issues, including a broken arm or foot. The airline makes sure that every traveler receives assistance that is especially catered to their condition and degree of mobility. 

Passengers are urged to notify the airline in advance of their specific needs so that the best support can be provided. Travel is made more accessible and comfortable by knowledgeable staff members on hand to help with everything from check-in to boarding and disembarkation. This dedication shows Croatia Airlines’ commitment to providing all passengers with accessible service and attention.

Traveling with a Personal Wheelchair On Croatia Airlines:

Passengers are welcome to travel with their wheelchairs. To facilitate safe handling, it is important to provide details about:

• Size and weight of the wheelchair:

Provide detailed measurements and total weight to ensure compatibility with storage space and handling during transport or air travel.

• Type (folding, non-folding, sports, or electric):

Specify the wheelchair type clearly to help staff prepare appropriate accommodations for transport, boarding assistance, or special handling needs.

• Battery information, if applicable:

Include battery type, watt-hours, and whether it’s detachable to comply with airline safety regulations and ensure smooth security screening.

For battery-powered wheelchairs, Croatia Airlines requires that batteries be securely attached and protected against short circuits. This can be done by taping over exposed terminals or using plastic caps. If the wheelchair uses a wet battery, it must be disconnected and safely secured in compliance with safety regulations.

More Special Assistance Options with Croatia Airlines:

Besides wheelchair assistance, Croatia Airlines provides other services as well for the comfort and convenience of the passengers: 

• Assistance for those with impaired hearing or vision:

A free assistance service is available to passengers who have vision or hearing impairments to guarantee a comfortable and easy travel experience. 

When purchasing your ticket, please let them know about your impairment so that they can better serve you. 

Please notify them in advance if you will be traveling with a guide dog so that they can make the appropriate preparations. 

The ground personnel and cabin crew will be informed beforehand by their team. Since a medical certificate is not needed, the procedure is easier and more convenient for you. Their first priority continues to be your safety, comfort, and dignity.

Which Passengers Need Medical Clearance on Croatia Airlines Flight?

Medical clearance is necessary for passengers:

Going through acute medical conditions: 

Individuals experiencing recent heart attacks or strokes may be unfit for flying due to potential complications during air travel.

Those who have serious fractures 

Passengers with severe bone fractures or limbs immobilized in casts may face discomfort, swelling, or circulatory issues during flight.

Have undergone recent surgery:

Individuals who recently had surgery may face increased risks of infection, blood clots, or complications from cabin pressure changes.

Those who are in the initial stage of a serious disease:

Flying shortly after a major illness can worsen recovery, stress the immune system, or lead to unpredictable health complications mid-flight.

Passengers on stretchers: 

Passengers needing stretcher transport require prior airline approval, special seating arrangements, and often a medical escort throughout the flight.

Passengers needing oxygen or other medical supplies while flying 

Travelers needing supplemental oxygen or medical equipment during flight must arrange approval and coordination with the airline well in advance.

Travelling for medical treatment

Patients flying for treatment must consider stability, documentation, and readiness for the journey without worsening their current medical condition.

Expectant mothers who have crossed 36 weeks of their pregnancy:

Pregnant women beyond 36 weeks may be restricted from flying due to the risks of labor and delivery occurring during the flight.

Special Assistance Form for Medical Clearance:

For official approval and verification, please fax or deliver the completed form to the respective address, which you will get on their official website. Additionally, you can reach them via email at medicina.rada@poliklinika-profozic.hr or even call them at +385 1 6310 824. The form needs to be shown when buying tickets after it has been validated. A copy will be attached to the passenger’s ticket and must also be produced at check-in.

Passengers Who Need to Be Assisted On Croatia Airlines Flight

Croatia Airlines is committed to ensuring the comfort and safety of all passengers, including those with special assistance needs. The airline has specific guidelines for passengers who must be accompanied by an escort during their journey. This measure is designed to maintain safety on board and to provide essential support throughout the travel experience.

When Is an Escort Required?

Passengers are required to travel with an escort if they:

• Cannot understand or follow the cabin crew’s safety instructions,
• Cannot evacuate during emergency 
• Require help with eating or accessing the restroom
  

Types of Escorts:

Escorts may be private or medical, depending on the passenger’s medical clearance and needs.

Private Escorts: These escorts must,

• Be at least 18 years of age
  
• Be familiar with the passenger’s health condition,
  
• Be physically capable of assisting in emergencies like evacuation
  
• Be able to accompany the passenger to and from the toilet and help them use it,
  
• Be fully capable of supporting the passenger without additional help.
  

Medical Escorts: Medical Escorts are individuals with formal medical training suited to the condition of the passenger requiring assistance. They are typically assigned when a higher level of medical support is necessary during the flight.

The FREMEC Card:

Croatia Airlines recognizes the FREMEC (Frequent Traveler’s Medical Card) for passengers with chronic or permanent mobility issues. While Croatia Airlines does not issue FREMEC cards, it does accept valid cards issued by other airlines. FREMEC holders are considered non-MEDA (non-medical case) and typically do not need medical clearance or a travel escort.

Oxygen and Medical Support for Passengers On Croatia Airlines Flight

Croatia Airlines offers special assistance to passengers who require medical oxygen during flights, ensuring their journey is safe and well-supported. Two main options are available for oxygen support: the use of airline-supplied oxygen bottles and the use of portable oxygen concentrators (POC). Each comes with specific requirements to ensure passenger safety and regulatory compliance.

Oxygen On Board:

If you need oxygen support during the flight, you must use Croatia Airlines’ oxygen bottles; personal cylinders are not allowed. This service requires advance planning:

• Reservation Deadline: The request must be made at least 72 hours before the scheduled flight.
  
• Cost: A charge of €60 per flight applies.
  
• Passenger Responsibility: The traveler must be trained to operate the oxygen equipment and must sign the statement that mentions they need medical oxygen on flights. 
• Medical Clearance: A physician must complete the INCAD (“Incapacitated Passenger Advice Form) and submit it for verification and approval. 

Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC):

You may use your own FAA-approved POC devices onboard Croatia Airlines flights, provided they meet medical and technical criteria.

• Medical Requirement: A physician must verify the need for POC use during flight.
  
• Documentation: Passengers must complete both the POC and INCAD forms.
  
• Submission and Approval: All documents must be sent to Ustanova za zdravstvenu skrb “Profozić” for verification and approval using the contact details above.
  

Special Exception: For code-share flights operated by United Airlines to or from the United States, the process is simplified. In these cases, only a Medical Verification Statement signed by the passenger’s physician is required—there is no need to submit forms to Profozić.

Traveling with Service Animals On Croatia Airlines 

With a number of supportive policies in place, Croatia Airlines’ special assistance welcomes service dogs on its flights.

In the passenger cabin, trained service dogs, including mobility support dogs, hearing aid dogs, guide dogs for the blind, and search and rescue dogs, are allowed to travel for free. For safety reasons, passengers must carry a muzzle in case it is needed, and these animals must be kept on leashes during the flight.

Additionally, regardless of size or weight, guiding dogs traveling with deaf, blind, or paralyzed clients are also transported free of charge. Although they are allowed in the cabin, these dogs are not permitted to sit in seats or roam freely; they only need to be securely fastened. They do not, however, require muzzles or cages.

Passengers must reserve their assistance animal in advance to guarantee an effortless trip experience. Before departing, passengers are advised to get in touch with a Croatia Airlines sales office for additional help or to schedule this service.

Croatia Airlines’ Special Assistance for Expectant Mothers 

Understanding the rules of special assistance for expectant mothers and preparing the necessary documentation can help make the journey smoother and safer.

Travel Without a Doctor’s Approval:

Women who are less than 28 weeks pregnant and are not experiencing any complications can travel without providing a doctor’s certificate. However, it’s always a good idea to carry basic medical documentation and consult your healthcare provider before flying.

Also Read: American Airlines Wheelchair Assistance

Travel With Medical Approval:

If a woman is more than 28 weeks but less than 36 weeks pregnant, most airlines require a valid medical certificate. This document should:

• Clearly state the gestational age,
  
• Confirm the absence of complications,
  
• Declare that the mother is fit to travel by air, and
  
• Be issued within 7 days prior to the flight.

This certification helps ensure that air travel will not pose a risk to the mother or the baby.

Medical Exceptions and Special Forms:

Expectant mothers flying for reasons such as surgery or medical treatment must provide additional documentation. In such cases, special medical forms, similar to those required for passengers with disabilities, may be necessary. These forms typically need to be completed by the attending physician and approved by the airline’s medical department before travel.

When Not to Travel:

Croatia Airlines generally prohibits travel in the following cases:

• If the baby is due within 7 days of the scheduled flight,
  
• If the baby was born less than 7 days before the intended travel date.
  

These restrictions are in place to prevent in-flight medical emergencies and to ensure the safety of both the mother and newborn.

Croatia Airlines’ Special Assistance for Unaccompanied Minors and Young Passengers:

Children between five and twelve travelling on their own are unaccompanied minors and are cared for by Croatia Airlines’ special assistance staff throughout the journey. You cannot purchase tickets for UM online. To book this service and make payment, please contact the Croatia Airlines Contact Center or a sales office.

The child must have a passport, visa (if applicable), flight ticket, and a completed unaccompanied minor form, detailing information about the guardian dropping them off and the one collecting them at the destination. These documents are kept in a red pouch marked “UM,” worn around the child’s neck.

Parents or guardians must arrive at the airport earlier than usual to complete formalities. After check-in, a staff member escorts the child to the plane, where they board first and are seated under the care of the cabin crew. After landing, the child is escorted off last and handed over only to the designated adult listed in the form, who must show ID and sign for custody.

The service costs €30–€40 per flight segment, depending on route and ticket origin. Young passengers aged 12–18 may travel either as unaccompanied minors upon request or as adults, depending on destination rules.

Croatia Airlines’ Special Assistance for Passengers Travelling with Families:

At Croatia Airlines, they understand that traveling with children requires special care. That’s why they are committed to making every step of your journey, both on the ground and in the air, comfortable and stress-free for your family. 

Infants:

Infants aged 7 days to under 2 years travel on a ticket without occupying a seat, seated on an adult’s lap. They fly free on domestic routes and at 10% of the adult fare internationally. Each infant must be accompanied by an adult (18+, or 16+ if a family member). Only one infant per lap is allowed; a second (if over 6 months) must travel in an approved car seat in a separate seat. Infant bookings must be made in advance due to limited space.

Children:

Children aged 2–12 must occupy their own seat and travel on a child fare, up to 50% off the adult rate. Families can request pre-boarding and reserve seats to sit together. Please contact our office or Customer Centre at +385 1 66 76 555 or contact@croatiaairlines.hr. Boarding passes and seat selection are available online as early as 23 hours before the journey. The deadline is no more than one hour before the journey. 

Baby Stroller:

Children under 4 may bring one collapsible stroller free of charge. It may be checked at the gate or plane, depending on airport rules.

Child Car Seats:

A child car seat may be used in a booked seat (at child fare). It must be approved for air travel and not exceed 40 cm (15.7 in) wide. Passengers are responsible for securing it properly.

Conclusion:

To make sure that travelers with specific mobility needs or disabilities have a smooth and pleasant journey, Croatia Airlines’ wheelchair assistance goes above and beyond. The airline places a high priority on comfort, safety, and accessibility at every turn with its extensive wheelchair services, special help for a range of medical and physical ailments, and considerate support for families, expecting moms, and unaccompanied minors. 

The committed staff of Croatia Airlines is prepared to assist with your trip with professionalism and consideration, whether you require assistance with check-in, boarding, or special accommodations while on board. Passengers can anticipate stress-free and inclusive plane travel by informing the airline in advance.

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