Swiss Air Special Assistance

As part of the Lufthansa Group, Swiss Air makes travel easier and more relaxed for passengers with disabilities and special needs. To ensure a seamless travel experience, it’s crucial to understand the resources and services available to you. Passengers who require special assistance can get it from SWISS, but they must request it in advance. This article serves as your essential guide to navigating SWISS Air’s special assistance policies. To ensure an effortless journey, they will guide you through the booking procedures, the several kinds of assistance that are available, and how to express your specific requirements to the airline.

Swiss Air’s Special Assistance for Pregnant Women

If you are an expectant mother planning to travel with Swiss Air, it is essential to familiarize yourself with the airline’s policies regarding pregnancy and flying. For a safe and pleasurable flight, pregnant passengers flying with Swiss Air must adhere to certain health and travel regulations. These regulations, which specify the requirements for medical certifications, travel deadlines, and other crucial factors, are in place to ensure the well-being of both the mother and baby. Following these official instructions is essential to a simple and effective Swiss Air travel experience.

When Can You Fly On Swiss Air Flights During Pregnancy? 

Here are the rules that you must keep in mind if you are flying with Swiss Air during your pregnancy. 

• Single Pregnancy: 

Expectant mothers with a healthy, uncomplicated single pregnancy are welcome to fly with Swiss Air until the end of the 36th week, roughly four weeks before the due date. After that, for safety reasons, the airline doesn’t permit travel this close to delivery.

• Multiple Pregnancy: 

If you are expecting twins or another multiple birth and your pregnancy is smooth with no complications, you can safely travel by air up until the end of your 32nd week. After that, airlines usually restrict flying to prioritize the health and safety of both mother and babies.

Medical Certificate:

If you are expecting and planning to fly with Swiss Air, here’s a handy tip: once you are past the 28th week of pregnancy, it’s strongly recommended to carry a medical certificate. While it’s not mandatory for every pregnancy, having this document makes your journey hassle-free. 

Moreover, the certificate should confirm that your pregnancy is progressing normally, that you are fit to travel, and also mention your expected delivery date. It’s a simple step that helps ensure your comfort and safety while flying.

Health Recommendations When Boarding A Swiss Air Flight 

Swiss Air special assistance provides several recommendations to make sure you enjoy a comfortable and safe journey:

• Consult Your Doctor: 

It’s always a smart idea to chat with your doctor or gynecologist before making travel plans. They can advise you on what is safe, point out any safety measures, and help you prepare better. This small action guarantees a more comfortable journey while maintaining your health and wellness as your primary concerns.

• Prevent Deep-Vein Thrombosis (DVT): 

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is more likely to occur in pregnant women when they fly. The best way to reduce this risk is to wear comfortable compression stockings and drink lots of water to stay hydrated. By doing these easy actions, you can increase circulation and make your trip safer and more enjoyable.For those having additional risk factors like any history of pulmonary embolism, or thrombosis, may seek medical help before their journey. You must even enquire if you must wear compression stockings, and if anti-coagulant medicines are required or not. 

• Medical Forms: 

In some cases, the Swiss Air special assistance team may ask passengers with certain medical conditions to provide a “Fit-to-Fly” form (MEDIF) before traveling. This ensures your safety and comfort throughout the journey. For detailed guidelines and when this form is necessary, simply check the Swiss Air website.

Swiss Air’s Assistance for Passengers with Impaired Hearing or Vision:

Swiss Air offers special assistance for passengers with hearing or visual impairments. An escort can help you navigate the airport upon request, reducing the anxiety associated with boarding, security, and check-in. To provide you with the assistance you require during the journey, certified assistance dogs are allowed in the cabin at no additional cost. 

However, for flights that last eight hours or more, you must give the airline at least 48 hours’ notice before departure if you intend to travel with your assistance dog. Understand that many nations have strict rules on animal admittance and vaccination. Certain locations have limits even for assistance animals, so your dog might not be allowed access if they do not have the proper certifications.

What Are the Rules to Consider for Diabetic Passengers? 

When you are diabetic and travelling by air, here are some things to keep in mind: 

• Have a word with your doctor regarding how many insulin injections, alongside the types that you would require to carry. 

• Swiss Air recommends you to carry double the medicines you need in your hand and checked baggage. This way you will be prepared for any emergencies onboard. 

• You may even tell the doctor to set an injection timetable for you to follow on flight. 

• If you are travelling to other timezones, it is important to adjust your schedules accordingly. If travelling west, your day gets longer. In such cases, you should ask your health care provider whether you should take an additional meal, and an additional insulin dose or not.  When travelling east, your day becomes shorter. Reducing your insulin dosage in this regard is advisable, though you must consult your doctor in this regard. 
• If you are required to carry syringes on board for injecting insulin, then providing a medical certificate from your doctor is required. 

Swiss Air’s Special Assistance Services for Those With Allergies 

SWISS Air authorities do all that they can to ensure the convenience and comfort of individuals suffering from an allergy. They attempt to bring the allergens in the cabin and their lounges to minimum especially when it comes to upholstery, food, and even air conditioning. 

For those travelling in the SWISS Business class, special meals are available on flights within Europe, as well as long haul flights. On flights to Europe, the SWISS Economy provides for an onboard kitchen with gluten-free and lactose free products for those with allergies. The good news is that SWISS has efficient crew members appropriately trained to handle emergencies. 

SIWSS’ Rules for Those with Nut Allergies 

SWISS Air is quite considerate towards passengers having food allergies, and as per they policy don’t serve nuts onboard. In spite of all the safety measures taken, some of their meals or snacks could contain traces of peanuts. Passengers with severe allergies must carry their medicines along to avoid any inconvenience. You may even carry your own food which doesn’t need to be heated onboard. Those with food allergies should notify the cabin crew team. SWISS even requests other passengers to avoid bringing nuts onboard, and be considerate towards their fellow passengers. 

Can You Fly On A Swiss Air Flight If You Have Been Ill or Have Had A Surgery? 

If you have any acute illness, or have had a surgery quite recently, then extra care must be taken. Travel can be a stressful affair indeed. That is why if you are not in the best of your health, you may consider cancelling your flight. Here are certain cases as mentioned below where you need to submit a MEDIF form to state that you are fit to fly, 

• You have an acute medical condition, have been hospitalized recently, or even underwent any accident or operation of late. 
• You have an unstable or progressive medical condition. 
• You are unable to sit upright and require a stretcher. 
• You need oxygen or any other medical equipment on board. 
• You require a professional escort to provide you with medical support. 

You cannot fly when you have any one of the conditions as mentioned below: 

• If you have severe fever or an acute cold
• If you have had a recent stroke 
• If you suffer from severe anemia 
• If you have a lung or heart-related illness
• If you are suffering from any infectious disease like chicken pox
• If you have had any recent abdominal or thorax surgery
• If you are suffering from any acute psychological illness 

Divers shouldn’t fly in case they had been diving 24 hours prior to the flight’s departure. They must even get in touch with the doctor if they had trouble resurfacing. 

Are You Allowed to Board a Swiss Air Flight If You Have a Plaster Or Cast or Even A Knee Injury?

You can travel, but certain conditions must be complied with to ensure that you have a comfortable and safe journey. A passenger travelling with a cast or a plaster is regarded as a medical case. They should provide a medical clearance if one of many of the reasons as mentioned below apply:

• If you have several fractures, or internal injuries
• You cannot sit properly due to the cast or plaster Remember, you aren’t allowed to extend your fractured leg into the aisle. 
• The plaster cast had been applied around 72 hrs before your flight journey, and your flight duration exceeds two hours. 
• It isn’t possible to remove your cast and plaster and you have a flight that extends for five hours or more than that. 

In all such cases, medical clearance is needed. You may even get in touch with SWISS’ medical service prior to your trip to ensure that you are perfectly fit to take the flight. 

Rules for Carrying Medical Equipment On Swiss Air Flights

If you wish to bring your personal medical equipment, notifying Swiss Air in advance is important. 

Oxygen 

SWISS Air doesn’t allow you to bring your own oxygen cylinders on board. The airline provides their own oxygen cylinder to passengers that hey can use on board. The installation of the cylinders would be done in advance to the passenger’s seat, and will be prepared for use when you board the flight. If you require oxygen cylinders onboard, you must order the same at least 72 hours prior to your flight. The airline will confirm by providing you with oxygen once they have received payment from your end. If using oxygen cylinders onboard, you ,must fill out the MEDIF form, and upload the same on med.swiss.com. 

Transporting Stretchers On Board

SWISS provides stretchers to ensure that passengers can travel comfortably by lying down. Stretcher passengers cannot travel alone, they require an escort. You must book stretcher services via assistance or insurance company. 

Rules for Carrying Medication 

Though there are some security regulations, you can carry some essential medicines in their liquid form on board. You might also submit a medical certificate if the nered arises, and that too in English. You should bring a medical certificate along as well when carrying syringes. 

Also Read: Swiss Air Wheelchair Assistance

Rules for CPAP Devices

If you are going to use a CPAP device remember to get an authorization from SWISS. You should switch off your CPAP device when your aircraft is taking off, taxing or landing, and even in case of any emergency situations. If your CPAP has batteries in it, then the single battery capacity mustn’t be more than 160 Wh. You can carry two spare batteries and that too in your hand baggage. To prevent short circuits, pack the replacement battery well within a container.

Conclusion

Swiss Air’s dedication to comfortable and safe travel is demonstrated by its special assistance program. Swiss Air makes sure that your journey is supported by transparent policies and considerate service, regardless of whether you are an expectant woman, a passenger with a disability, or someone traveling with pets or assistance dogs. Swiss Air offers comprehensive instructions to minimize stress and guarantee compliance, from making reservations in advance for particular needs to adhering to destination-specific regulations for animals. Passengers can have a seamless and secure travel experience with Swiss Air by preparing their documentation ahead of time, obtaining the necessary services, and following health and safety regulations.

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