Advertise With Us

Airports

Keeping the Airline and Airport in the Loop

disability travel health tourism medical tourism disabilities-7.jpg

Make sure that you alert the airport to the type and level of assistance that you require.  This involves sharing with them the exact nature of your disability, the types of equipment you plan to bring, and the types of equipment you would like them to provide.   

This type of courtesy call is particularly important given how stringent security checks have become.  Make certain that the airport will be able to handle your wheelchair, crutches, and other medical equipment from the moment you check-in to the moment that you land. 

Security Restrictions

If you have any doubts about what you can and can't bring, don’t hesitate to call the airline and airport to ask them directly.  The US Transport Security Administration provides a useful online guide for special needs.  However, keep in mind that this documentation only pertains to American travel.  This is why calling the airport and airline directly is a much better idea.  Be sure to take down names, numbers, and times to avoid any confusion down the road.  For added security, you might even consider restricting all of your correspondence to e-mail.  This way you have everything in writing in case complications arise. Just know that emails sometimes take time.  You won't always receive a response right away.

If you or someone you know needs to bring a seeing-eye dog, please read our discussion by clicking here. 

Arriving Early

You can make the airport’s job much easier by arriving early.  If the general cushion for international travel is two or three hours, consider arriving three or four hours early instead. 

Dietary Restrictions and Medication Concerns

If you have any dietary restrictions, make certain that the airline and airport are aware of them well in advance.  The same goes for prescription medications; especially if they need to be refrigerated in any way. 

Be Realistic about Your Stamina

Because international travel can sometimes exceed 12, 24, or even 36 hours, you need to remain realistic about what your body can and cannot handle.   

  • Will your digestive system be able to handle the airline’s food?
  • Will the cabin pressure, low humidity, and jet lag cause any foreseeable problems?
  • Do you require special sleeping arrangements?

  • Are you leaving yourself enough time to catch connecting flights?

  • If you have a seeing-eye dog, will he or she be able to handle long flights?

 
If you have any doubts about whether or not you can handle long flights, you should seriously consider alternate modes of travel.  Or perhaps you should research medical tourism destinations closer to home.  Becoming sick before you reach your destination defeats the whole purpose of a medical tourism vacation.
Back, Special Arrangements Next, Hotels