Emirates Wheelchair Assistance

When traveling with disabilities, it is essential to carefully plan your trip and ensure the reliability of Emirates’ wheelchair assistance. Emirates Airlines offers extensive wheelchair assistance services to guarantee an enjoyable travel experience for every passenger. This article provides an in-depth evaluation of the different aspects of this support, emphasizing the airline’s proactive strategy for providing accommodations for people with mobility impairments. 

We will examine how Emirates aims to provide an effortless and comfortable flying experience, highlighting their emphasis on diversity and passenger care for individuals who require wheelchair assistance, from committed staff support to customized procedures. Let us look into Emirates’ wheelchair and special assistance services in detail. 

Overview of Emirates Wheelchair Assistance

Emirates is committed to giving all travelers, including those with disabilities, an enjoyable, trustworthy, and accessible flying experience. Emirates’ wheelchair assistance guarantees help from security clearance and check-in to boarding, in-flight mobility, and departure. 

There are trained staff on hand to make sure you are comfortable while traveling and to assist you in navigating the airport. Emirates aims to make air travel easy and affordable for everyone, irrespective of physical restrictions or special needs, and this shows in its dedication to care and accessibility.

• How to Book Emirates Wheelchair Assistance?

Emirates recommends that if you require wheelchair assistance, you need to make your request at the time of booking or no later than 48 hours before departure for the best experience.

Giving advance notice allows the airline to plan and organize the required assistance services to guarantee a comfortable and easy travel experience. This includes assistance with check-in, boarding, onboard support, and destination arrival. 

You can fly with more ease if you notify the airline in advance, knowing that their specific mobility needs will be handled carefully and properly.

• Assistance at the Airport:

Emirates, through its wheelchair assistance services makes sure of comprehensive support from terminal arrival to boarding and again at your destination. At Dubai International Airport’s Emirates Terminal 3, wheelchair assistance is conveniently offered at three key locations, ensuring smooth mobility and comfort for passengers with reduced mobility throughout their journey with attentive and accessible ground services.

• Located at Entrance 2, this desk provides guidance, directions, and general assistance to all departing passengers.
  
• Positioned beside Check-in Area 2, this desk offers help to passengers with disabilities, seniors, and those needing special care.
  
• Conveniently placed by Exit 3, close to the metro, this desk supports arriving passengers with inquiries and onward travel information.

These dedicated service points ensure passengers with limited mobility receive prompt and convenient help.

• What to Consider When Traveling On Emirates with a Wheelchair?

Whether you are traveling with your own wheelchair or seeking assistance from the Emirates team to provide you with one, here are certain things to consider. 

• Emirates’ wheelchair assistance makes it possible for travelers with reduced mobility to fly in luxury and guarantees that they can bring up to two personal mobility devices, such as a manual wheelchair that folds up, without using up any of their cabin baggage allotment.
• At check-in, these items are thoroughly inspected, and any pre-existing damage is carefully documented.
• The ability of the assistance devices to be securely stored in the flight cabin will be checked by Emirates. The equipment will be checked in for free if in-cabin storage is not possible.
• Depending on the rules of the destination airport, the airline aims to return wheelchairs as near the airplane door as possible after arrival. 
• Emirates offers a wheelchair for short-term use until a passenger can pick up their personal belongings at baggage claim if a rapid return is not possible.

• Measurement Guidelines for Mobility Aids On Emirates

Emirates provides specific cargo door dimensions for each aircraft type to help ensure your device properly fits onboard.

• A350‑900: 114.5″ wide x 69″ high
  
• A380‑800: 122.4″ wide x 68″ high
  
• B777‑200LR & B777‑300ER: 101.9″ wide x 67″ high

Make sure you verify your aircraft type during booking or via the Manage Your Booking tool, as aircraft assignments can change due to operational or scheduling adjustments.

• What are the Conditions for Electric Wheelchairs?

Traveling with an electric wheelchair on Emirates requires extra planning due to battery regulations. You are required to notify the airline ahead of time about the wheelchair’s weight, dimensions, and battery type. To ensure a smooth boarding process and sufficient time for safety checks, it is recommended to arrive at the airport at least three hours before departure.

• Additional Mobility Devices and Services:

Emirates allows you to bring canes, walking sticks onboard, ensuring they are securely stored during the flight. Additionally, if you need extra time to get settled you can request priority boarding, offering a smoother and more comfortable boarding experience tailored to individual mobility and accessibility needs.

Emirates Special Assistance for Hearing-Impaired Passengers:

If you have any hearing impairment, here is how Emirates will help you onboard.

• Before you fly:

If you have a hearing impairment and need help while flying with Emirates, it’s recommended to notify the airline during booking or contact them at least a few days before your flight. Their team will ensure that they will arrange the necessary support in advance. 

Passengers traveling from the USA or Canada can conveniently use the TTY (text telephone) service for communication by dialing 1‑888‑320‑1576. Emirates aims to provide a smooth and comfortable travel experience for all passengers, including those with hearing disabilities.

• At the airport:

Emirates provides a “Meet and Assist” service to ensure a smooth airport experience for you. From check-in through to the departure gate, and from the aircraft to your onward transport, dedicated staff are available to assist you at every step. 

Real-time flight information is displayed on screens throughout the airport. For added convenience, the Emirates App delivers quick flight updates, including gate changes, baggage carousel numbers, and any potential delays. 

If you prefer personal assistance, simply inform the Emirates team at check-in, and they will keep you updated on the same.

• Onboard services:

Emirates’ special assistance ensures accessibility and safety for all passengers through thoughtfully designed safety procedures and in-flight services. All safety videos come with English and Arabic captions, and some routes offer additional language options. 

The cabin crew is professionally trained to give personalized safety briefings, especially for passengers needing extra assistance, including clear explanations of emergency procedures and exit locations. 

For those with hearing impairments, the crew ensures all important announcements are communicated effectively. Exit row seating is restricted to ensure safety. Emirates’ inflight entertainment system also supports accessibility, with many films and shows offering closed captions. Moreover, standard headphones are compatible with hearing aids set to the T (telecoil) position.

Emirates Special Assistance for Visually Impaired Passengers:

If you have low vision or visual impairment and are planning to board an Emirates flight. There isn’t much to worry about. Emirates has several amenities to assist visually impaired passengers. Let’s take a look:

• Before you fly:

Before flying, visually impaired passengers traveling with Emirates can receive assistance both at the airport and during the flight. If you notify the airline at the time of booking or shortly before departure, you can request guided support through check-in, security, and boarding. 

Onboard, crew members provide personalized help to ensure a safe and comfortable journey. Emirates is committed to creating an inclusive flight experience by accommodating special needs with care and professionalism from start to finish.

• At the airport:

Emirates’ special assistance program offers a convenient “meet and assist” service, guiding you from check-in to the departure gate or from the aircraft to onward transportation. Regular boarding announcements keep you informed, while attentive Emirates staff are always on hand to provide information, directions, and any additional support required throughout the airport experience.

• Onboard services:

Visually impaired passengers receive personalized safety briefings to ensure a safe and comfortable journey. You will be directly contacted by the cabin crew if you have noitified Emirates beforehand. Else, youwill have to ask for the services. 

Cabin crew members assist by reading menu options aloud and explaining the arrangement of food items during meal service. For safety reasons, exit row seating is not available to these passengers. 

Additionally, the in-flight entertainment system features a variety of movies and television shows with audio descriptions, allowing visually impaired passengers to enjoy content with greater accessibility and ease throughout the flight experience.

Emirates Special Assistance for Passengers with Cognitive and Hidden Disabilities:

Emirates is dedicated to offering help to all those with hidden and cognitive disabilities, with a friendly and enjoyable flying environment. Emirates guarantees that passengers receive the attention they require with carefully planned services and individualized assistance.

• Personalized Travel Planning:

Emirates offers personalized assistance for passengers with hidden disabilities who contact the airline in advance. You can request tailored assistance such as mobility or medical aid, special dietary meals, and preferred seating options like aisle, window, or quieter areas. 

Emirates also accommodates seating arrangements for up to two companions to sit together with the passenger. You can notify the airline early and ensure a smoother, more comfortable journey that meets your specific needs, enhancing your overall flying experience with Emirates.

• Consistent Support with DPNA Code:

When booking, you may notice that your ticket bears the “DPNA” code. This industry-standard code signifies that a passenger has a cognitive or hidden disability, helping travel agents, airlines, and airport staff coordinate appropriate support throughout the journey.

• Support at the Airport:

At Dubai International Airport, Emirates’ Terminal 3 offers a Certified Autism Center and features an Autism-Friendly Travel Planner. This service outlines each step of the journey, with details about how staff can assist throughout. Sensory Guides, developed with IBCCES, offer helpful information about the sensory environment in key terminal areas, such as check-in, passport control, security, arrival, and departure areas, concourse area, family zones,  and so on.

For extra support, you can wear the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard, available at the Assisted Services desk in Terminal 3. This unique symbol signals to staff that someone may need patience or help. Sunflower signage also guides passengers through a dedicated route in the terminal.

• Assistance During the Flight:

Emirates’ multilingual staff receive specialized training to support you with sensory sensitivities and autism. In First and Business Class, noise-cancelling headphones are available to reduce cabin noise. If you are sensitive to light, window blinds can be closed and ambient lighting dimmed. Eyeshades are also provided.

The airline’s award-winning entertainment system, ice, offers programming in over 40 languages, with a wide selection of audio-described and closed-captioned movies to support passengers with hearing, vision, and cognitive needs.

• Preparing with Confidence:

You can preview your seating options through a 3D cabin view and explore Emirates’ city check-in locations, also certified for neurodiverse accessibility. If you require help understanding safety instructions you must fly with a companion or assistant, and more details are available on the Emirates website.

Therefore, with thoughtful planning, inclusive features, and trained staff, Emirates helps passengers with hidden disabilities fly with dignity, comfort, and peace of mind.

Emirates Special Assistance: Oxygen Support and Medical Equipment Guidelines

Emirates special assistance offers services for passengers with medical needs, including support for those requiring oxygen or traveling with respiratory devices. These services are designed to ensure passenger comfort, safety, and regulatory compliance throughout the journey.

• Onboard Therapeutic Oxygen:

Emirates offers onboard therapeutic oxygen free of charge. If you want to request this service, you must complete the airline’s medical form at least 48 hours before departure. The form should include the required oxygen flow rate/minute in litres. This ensures that Emirates can accommodate the passenger’s oxygen needs throughout the flight.

• Traveling with Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POCs)

Passengers are allowed to bring approved portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) onboard without needing to submit a medical form. However, the POC must be from the list of Emirates-approved devices, including popular models like:

• Inogen One (G2, G3, G4)
• AirSep FreeStyle series
• Oxlife Independence
• Respironics SimplyGo and EverGo
• SeQuel Eclipse and SAROS
• VBOX Trooper
• SeQuel Eclipse
• Precision Medical EasyPulse
  

A complete list of approved POCs is available on Emirates’ website.

Before traveling, you must ensure:

• The POC has enough fully charged batteries to cover the full duration of the trip, including layovers and unexpected delays, as the device cannot be plugged into in-seat power.
  
• If checking the POC in the hold, it must be depressurized and empty. Batteries should either be removed and packed separately or be recessed and securely protected from contact with metal.
  
• Physician’s Statement Requirement:

According to UAE General Civil Aviation Authority regulations, if you are flying with a POC, you must carry a signed doctor’s letter. The letter should confirm your ability to operate the device independently and understand the visual and aural warnings and cautions. You should even be able to take appropriate actions if needed without any assistance. 

The letter should even mention that you medically need the oxygen for a certain duration of the flight or your entire journey. The letter must also highlight the maximum flow rate of oxygen in correspondence with cabin pressure under normal conditions. 

• Use of PAP/CPAP Equipment Onboard:

If you are flying with positive airway pressure (PAP) or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices do not need to submit a medical form unless further assistance is required. These devices:

• Do not count toward baggage allowance.
  
• Must meet size and weight limits for safe onboard storage.
  
• It can be used during the flight, except during taxi, takeoff, and landing.
  
• It may be plugged into the in-seat power, although Emirates cannot guarantee power availability throughout the flight.
  
• Battery Guidelines for PAP/CPAP Devices:

You must carry two fully charged spare batteries in the cabin, properly packaged to prevent short-circuiting. If the device is not intended for use during the flight, batteries must be removed and packed separately.

Also Read: Delta Air Lines Wheelchair Assistance

Options for Assisted and Medically Escorted Travel On An Emirates Flight:

While Emirates staff can assist with basic tasks, they cannot provide personal care, medication administration, or physical lifting. A travel assistant or medical escort must be booked if the passenger:

• Cannot understand or follow safety instructions.
  
• Is unable to self-evacuate in an emergency.
  
• Has both hearing and vision impairments and cannot communicate with the crew.
  
• Requires a stretcher, incubator, or in-flight medical attention.
  

The travel assistant must:

• Be at least 16 years old and above
  
• Sit in an adjacent seat in the same cabin.
  
• Be physically and mentally capable of assisting in an emergency.
  

Passengers with additional medical needs are encouraged to submit a completed medical form at least 48 hours before travel.

Understanding Emirates’ Policy on Service Animals:

Service dogs, including guide dogs and psychiatric assistance dogs, can fly with you free of charge according to Emirates’ special assistance program. Depending on your route, the dog may be allowed in the aircraft cabin or may need to travel as checked baggage in a specially equipped and secure area of the cargo hold. 

Only dogs are recognized as service animals under the Emirates’ policy. Other emotional support or therapy animals are treated as regular pets and can travel as checked baggage, subject to fees and country-specific regulations.

• What are the Eligibility Requirements for Cabin Travel?

Dogs that are trained as seeing-eye or psychiatric support animals may be permitted in the cabin on specific routes. To qualify:

• The dog must be at least 4 months old.
  
• It must be small enough to fit at your feet without blocking aisles or emergency exits.
  
• The dog must remain leashed, harnessed, or tethered at all times.
  
• It cannot occupy a seat. If needed, an additional adjacent seat can be purchased to accommodate a larger dog. For safety reasons, passengers with service dogs cannot be seated in exit rows.

Other types of service dogs may only travel as checked baggage and must meet health and behavior standards.

• What are the Allowed Routes for In-Cabin Travel?

Service dogs are accepted in checked or cabin bags, or may even go into the cargo hold in the locations mentioned below: 

• To/from Canada and the United States 
• Between New Zealand and Australia 
• Between countries in the European Union and the United States 
• From Dubai to the EU 
• From the EU to Dubai (only in manifested cargo and checked baggage)
• From European Union countries to all other countries 

Therefore, service animals may only be transported on other routes as checked luggage or manifest cargo, according to the laws of both the destination nation and Emirates.

• Booking Requirements:

If you want to fly with your service dog, you need to contact Emirates’ special assistance service at least 48 hours before your flight. Some countries may require additional paperwork and health checks, which can take time to arrange. Emirates will guide you through these requirements to ensure a safe journey.

Before traveling, you’ll need to submit:

• Proof of vaccination and microchipping
  
• A valid pet passport or veterinary health certificate
  
• Relevant import permits
  
• Proof of service dog training and public behavior standards
  

On the other hand, for psychiatric support dogs, additional documentation is required:

• A statement from a licensed mental health professional (within 1 year of travel) confirming your diagnosis, the necessity of the dog for air travel, and the license details of the professional.

• Behavior and Health Standards:

The service dog must:

• Be well-behaved in public settings (no barking, growling, jumping, or biting)
  
• Not relieve itself in the aircraft or gate areas unless sanitary measures are in place
  
• Be trained to follow commands

If a dog behaves inappropriately, Emirates may move it to the cargo hold (at an additional cost) or deny transport. You are responsible for any damage caused.

• Travel Duration Limits:

• Service dogs cannot travel in the cabin or as checked baggage if total travel time exceeds 17 hours, including check-in and customs clearance.
  
• Transit times must not exceed 6 hours for dogs traveling as checked baggage.
  
• Special Requirements for the USA:

If you’re flying to or from the United States, you must comply with U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regulations:

• Submit the DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form
  
• For flights over 8 hours, also complete the Service Animal Relief Attestation Form
  
• From 1 August 2024, new CDC rules apply, including:
  
  • A CDC Dog Import Form
    
  • Restrictions for dogs from high-risk rabies countries
    
  • Entry through specific U.S. ports only
    
• World-Class Animal Care:

For dogs traveling in the cargo hold, Emirates Skycargo ensures their comfort and safety with a team of professionals experienced in animal care.

Conclusion

With its extensive wheelchair and special assistance services, Emirates shows a strong commitment to accessible flights. Regardless of whether you need medical assistance, cognitive support, hearing or vision aid, or mobility support, Emirates’ special assistance guarantees a smooth and dignified flight for all passengers. 

With dedicated staff members, organized airport amenities, and onboard assistance, Emirates offers comfort and peace of mind at every turn. Passengers can fully benefit from Emirates’ accessible options for a smooth and assisted travel experience by making advance plans and informing the airline of any specific needs.

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