What Special Assistance Services Does Turkish Airlines Offer?

As a major global carrier, Turkish Airlines upholds the rights of passengers with disabilities and those with reduced mobility (PRMs) by offering dedicated Special Assistance. This commitment is not just a service, but a standard ensuring that all passengers can travel safely and with dignity. The airline provides essential accommodations, including assistance with boarding, disembarking, and transferring, recognizing the paramount importance of accessibility throughout the entire flight process. This guide outlines the Turkish Airlines special assistance services available, explains how to request them, and provides essential preparation tips for your Turkish Airlines flight.

This is the list of special assistance Turkish Airlines provides:

1. Turkish Airlines Special Assistance for Infants:

From discounted fares to stroller support and priority boarding, Turkish Airlines’ special assistance team designed every detail for your comfort and convenience.

• Eligibility and Age Requirements on Turkish Airlines:

If a youngster is at least seven days old but has not yet turned two, they are classified as baby passengers. Infants between the ages of two and seven days must have a doctor’s written approval to travel. No baby younger than 48 hours will be allowed on board.

Moreover, as per their policy, the infant must be accompanied by an adult parent or guardian (18+). Each adult is restricted to traveling with a maximum of one lap infant, and all individuals must possess valid travel documentation.

• Turkish Airlines Seating and Safety Guidelines:

Infants normally wear a special baby belt that the airline provides when traveling on the lap of their guardian. If you wish to reserve a separate seat for your infant, you can request one by paying a discounted child fare. In that case, you will need to bring an approved child seat or stroller to secure the infant safely.

Additionally, in airplane sections with extra legroom seats, baby strollers (up to 40×40 cm) can be used.

• Before the Flight: Smooth Check-in and Boarding:

Turkish Airlines’ special assistance team makes your flight experience memorable for families traveling with infants through its Family First services at Istanbul Airport.

1. Family Counters: Dedicated check-in counters are available for families with young children (ages 0-7), ensuring a faster airport experience.

2. Priority Boarding: Early boarding is a perk for parents with infants, offering them valuable extra time to settle in and get comfortable before the flight departs..

3. Family First Crossing Points: Families can skip the long lines and swiftly clear security in the exclusive lanes, making for a stress-free start to their journey.

• In-Flight Services for Infants:

Turkish Airlines offers various amenities right on the plane designed specifically to keep your baby comfortable.

1. Baby Food Requests: You can easily pre-order baby meals during booking or at least 24 hours before your flight, ensuring your infant’s food is ready and convenient onboard.

2. Feeding Support: Parents can bring up to 100 ml of baby food onboard, and the friendly cabin crew will gladly help warm it whenever your baby needs feeding.

3. Baby Hygiene: There are sinks with designated diaper-changing tables in lavatories, making it easier for parents to handle diaper changes comfortably during the flight.

4. Bassinet Option: Bassinets are available for infants weighing up to 11 kg, offering a cozy resting spot for babies, though availability depends on your seat selection and flight type.

• After the Flight: Stroller and Baggage Assistance

Turkish Airlines takes care of your baby’s gear even after landing.

1. Stroller Handling: You can use your stroller up to the boarding gate. It will then be transported in the aircraft’s cargo hold.
   
2. Stroller Return: If checked at the gate, it’s usually returned at the arrival gate or baggage claim, depending on the airport.
   
3. Cabin Strollers: Accepted only if they meet the 23x40x55 cm and 8 kg cabin baggage limit and fit in a storage pouch.
   

• Infant Passenger Discounts:

Turkish Airlines provides special discounted fares for infants in both Economy and Business Class. The fares vary depending on the flight type: 

1. Domestic (Direct): TRY 535 (Economy) and TRY 1150 (Business); 
2. Domestic (Connecting): TRY 805 (Economy) and TRY 1730 (Business); 
3. TRNC Flights (Direct): TRY 850 (Economy) and TRY 1650 (Business). 

Furthermore, International ticket prices differ depending on your route and travel date. Starting June 15, 2025, updated infant fares has come to effect, reflecting these changes. So, if you’re planning a trip abroad with your little one, check the new rates in advance.

• Baggage Allowance for Infants:

Infants are entitled to their own baggage allowance- 10 kg for domestic and 10 kg plus a stroller for international routes. Under the piece concept, infants get 23 kg plus one stroller. However, on Ecofly routes without a free baggage allowance, no extra infant baggage is provided.

2. Assistance for In-Flight Medical Devices:

Turkish Airlines’ special assistance team provides necessary medical equipment on board for passenger health emergencies. You may also bring your own pre-approved medical equipment for use, ensuring continuity of care and comfort throughout the journey.

• Oxygen Cylinders:

Due to safety regulations, you cannot bring or use personal oxygen tanks on Turkish Airlines flights. The airline does supply medical oxygen cylinders for those with a need, provided they present a valid medical certificate detailing the required oxygen flow rate (liters per minute). 

Moreover, to guarantee availability and proper setup, all oxygen requests must be submitted to Turkish Airlines at least 48 hours before your flight’s scheduled departure.

• Traveling with Respirators or CPAP Machines:

To travel with essential medical respiratory devices like CPAP machines, personal respirators, or Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POCs), you must follow a few key steps:

1. FAA Approval is Mandatory: Your device must be approved by the FAA for air travel.
2. Safety Restriction: While generally permitted in the cabin, you cannot use the device during take-off or landing.
3. Pre-Flight Notification: You must inform the airline’s reservation unit at least 48 hours before departure.
4. Medical Documentation: A doctor’s certificate confirming the medical necessity of the device is required.
5. Battery Backup Rule: Since the onboard power supply isn’t guaranteed, you must carry enough battery power to last 1.5 times the total scheduled flight time.

3. Medication Guidelines on Turkish Airlines:

For a hassle-free flight, you must follow Turkish Airlines’ medication policy:

1. Diabetes Medication: Permitted onboard for use without a medical report.
2. All Other Conditions: Prescriptions or medical documentation are mandatory.

Proper paperwork ensures swift security clearance, allows our staff to verify special needs, and is vital for providing immediate assistance should a medical situation arise while traveling.

Also Read: Turkish Airlines Wheelchair Assistance

4. Traveling Alone or With Others? Which is the better experience for you?

At Turkish Airlines, the special assistance team believes air travel should be accessible to everyone. To accommodate passengers with disabilities or medical conditions, they ensure comfort and support. Whether a passenger can travel independently or needs a travel companion is determined by their specific personal assistance needs.

• When Does Turkish Airlines Permit Independent Journeys?

Passengers who can manage their personal care and move independently are welcome to travel without assistance. This includes:

1. Sick passengers who can attend to their personal needs and have a valid medical report issued within 10 days before the flight.
   
2. Passengers with disabilities, such as those using a wheelchair or having one broken leg, are allowed to travel solo provided that they can care for themselves.
   
3. Visually impaired and hearing-impaired passengers who can travel without submitting any medical report.
   
4. Passengers using a crutch and capable of independent movement are also permitted to travel unaccompanied.
   

• When Should You Travel With a Companion?

In certain situations, Turkish Airlines requires a companion to ensure the safety and comfort of passengers. These include:

1. Mentally disabled passengers, who may not be able to manage their own needs or respond to instructions during the flight. Their companion must carry all necessary travel documents.
   
2. Passengers who are both hearing and visually impaired may face communication challenges requiring constant assistance and should travel with an escort.
   

Turkish Airlines’ policy ensures that all passengers, whether traveling alone or with support, receive the care, comfort, and dignity they deserve throughout their journey.

5. Medical Authorization and Required Reports on Turkish Airlines

If you require medical clearance, please submit a doctor’s report confirming fitness to travel by air. The report must be in English or Turkish, dated no earlier than 10 days before the flight, and include the exact confirmation: “There is no harm in traveling by plane.”

The report must:

• Be written on the official letterhead of the doctor or healthcare institution.
  
• Include the doctor’s name, surname, diploma number, signature, and date.

6. Steps to Request Special Assistance On Turkish Airlines Flight:

Turkish Airlines must notify passengers in advance in order to offer the proper support, particularly for those who need specific equipment or medical clearance. Travelers who notify the airline in advance contribute to making sure that all required arrangements are made effectively and prepared for arrival, ensuring an effortless, secure, and comfortable journey catered to their specific requirements.

• Notify the Airline (48-Hour Minimum):

You must notify Turkish Airlines of your special assistance needs:

1. During Booking: When booking your ticket online, at a ticket office, or through a travel agent, make sure to mention any special requirements or preferences you have so the airline can prepare for your needs in advance.

2. After Booking: If you need assistance or want to make any changes after booking, you need to reach out to the Turkish Airlines Call Center or visit a nearby sales office right away for quick and helpful support.

3. Deadline: If you need special services such as assistance for infants or in-flight oxygen, make sure to request them at least 48 hours before your flight. This gives the airline enough time to prepare and ensure you have a comfortable journey.

• Prepare Necessary Documentation:

For medical-related assistance (e.g., in-flight oxygen, serious health conditions), ensure you have:

1. A Fit to Fly medical certificate from your doctor (if required).
2. Documentation for medical equipment you plan to carry.
3. Valid documentation for your assistance animal.

• Arrive Early at the Airport:

You must prioritize extra time at the airport when you need special assistance. To ensure a hassle-free travel day, arrive well before the standard check-in window. This extra buffer allows airport staff to confirm your specific arrangements, finalize any necessary details, and seamlessly escort you through the entire process, from getting your boarding pass to comfortably settling in for your flight.

• Priority Check-in:

Passengers with special needs can request priority service for check-in, passport control, and boarding. Turkish Airlines’ special assistance team will also provide a preferred seat based on availability and the aircraft’s layout.

7. How does the Sunflower Lanyard System Work for those with Hidden Disabilities?

• Some conditions, like autism, dementia, anxiety disorders, speech or reading difficulties, and vision impairment, are not always visible but can make traveling quite stressful. People with these hidden disabilities often face extra challenges navigating airports, check-ins, or flight procedures.
  
• Turkish Airlines has introduced the Sunflower Lanyard service to make sure your journey will be smoother, even if you have hidden disabilities.

• Ground staff and cabin crew can instantly identify travelers who need a bit more care, time, and understanding during their journey, thanks to this simple yet meaningful sunflower-patterned lanyard.

• When crew members notice the lanyard, they immediately understand that the passenger might require additional assistance or flexibility in certain procedures, without the passenger having to repeatedly explain their condition.
  
• Passengers can get their lanyard for free from the Assisted Check-in Counter at Istanbul Airport, and there’s no need to show medical proof or documentation to receive it.
  
• You only need one lanyard, which you can use for every future flight. Since it’s recognized by all participating airports and airlines in the Sunflower Lanyard initiative, it builds a consistent, comforting framework for passengers with hidden disabilities across their travels.

Conclusion:

Turkish Airlines’ Special Assistance services are designed to support all passengers, from infants to travelers with disabilities or medical needs, ensuring a dignified and comfortable experience. This isn’t just standard service; it’s a deep commitment to inclusivity. You will find help like priority services (check-in and boarding) and essential medical and mobility assistance. Passengers must provide early notification and submit all required documents for an uninterrupted travel experience. Turkish Airlines takes the stress out of travel, ensuring both solo and companion trips are exceptionally smooth.

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