Qantas aims to be the airline of choice for passengers with reduced mobility. From wheelchair assistance to specific medical needs, as well as travelers who are visually or hearing impaired, the airline offers a range of assistance services.
Wheelchair assistance and limited mobility:
Passengers with limited mobility can request wheelchair assistance at the time of booking or through “Qantas Manage My Booking.” Regarding the cost, this SERVICE IS FREE and includes assistance from the airport entrance to your seat on the plane, as well as upon arrival. Wheelchairs and mobility aids (up to two items) are transported in the cargo hold free of charge and do not count toward the Qantas baggage allowance, regardless of the route. For flights to or from the United States, there is no limit on the number of mobility aids for passengers with disabilities.
For electric wheelchairs powered by lithium batteries, prior notification and approval from Qantas are required due to dangerous goods regulations. Please contact Qantas at least 48 hours before your departure. Passengers who wish to keep their own wheelchair until the boarding gate (and then retrieve it at the gate upon arrival) must inform the staff at the check-in counter.
CPAP equipment and medical devices:
Passengers who need to use a CPAP machine (for sleep apnea) on board must obtain prior medical clearance from Qantas by completing this form. The use of CPAP machines is permitted on eligible flights with in-seat power outlets, but the equipment must be inspected and approved prior to travel. Most modern CPAP machines are compatible with 110V aircraft outlets.
Passengers with visual or hearing impairments:
Qantas offers several accommodations for passengers who are visually impaired or blind: priority boarding assistance, Braille menu cards available upon request on select flights and a personalized safety briefing. Guide dogs are permitted in the cabin on Australian domestic flights and select international flights, subject to prior approval and documentation.
Passengers with Special Medical Needs:
For any specific medical needs (oxygen on board, medical equipment, special treatment during the flight), Qantas requires a Medical Fitness for Travel (MEDIF) form be completed by your doctor and submitted to the Qantas medical team at least 72 hours before departure. For pregnant women, Qantas accepts passengers up to the 36th week of pregnancy for short flights and up to the 28th week for flights longer than 4 hours, a medical certificate may be required.
Does Qantas charge any fees for providing special assistance to passengers?
No. All special assistance provided by Qantas to passengers with reduced mobility is completely free. It simply needs to be booked in advance. However, the Australian airline offers passengers who need to travel with an oxygen cylinder; and who cannot bring one with them; the option to book one directly with the airline for a fee of $100 per cylinder. This service is not available on flights operated by Qantas Link or partner airlines.
It should also be noted that on some slightly smaller aircraft, such as the Boeing 737 MAX, transporting an oxygen cylinder requires booking an additional seat, at the passenger’s expense.
Qantas guarantees that oxygen will be provided continuously to the passenger throughout the flight.
Contact the Qantas Toll-Free Helpline:
To help them plan their trip, Qantas provides passengers with reduced mobility with two dedicated phone numbers, available toll-free 7 days a week at the following numbers:
In Australia: 1800 177 474
From abroad: +61 2 9123 7471.