(Please select preffered language)
Main Content

Medical Assistance

※ Applicable to China Airlines / Mandarin Airlines international flights only. For code-shared flights, please refer to the rules of the operating carrier.
Medical Clearance Procedure

Medical Clearance Procedure

Passengers travelling with any of the following conditions should complete a MEDIF when making a booking. Passengers need to obtain approval from China Airlines’ medical department in Taiwan. Please submit all completed application and documents at least two working days (excluding weekends and holidays) prior to the flight departure date. Medical Clearance Form and Medical Certificate must be dated within 10 days of scheduled initial departing flight. Additional Medical Summary or medical charts are required for passengers who have received surgical procedure or have been admitted to the hospital within 2 weeks. (If the departure date is Mar 29, the “Medical Clearance Form” & “Medical Certificate” must be dated after Mar 20.)

  • Recent illness, hospitalization, injury, surgery or existing unstable medical condition.
  • Passengers whose medical condition requires a supply of oxygen, a stretcher, a medical escort or treatment whilst on the flight.
  • Passengers who may need to use medical equipment or instruments on the flight.
  • Any medical condition that would render a passenger unable to complete the flight safely, without requiring extraordinary medical assistance during the flight, is considered unacceptable for air travel.
Airport and In-Fight Assistance

Airport and In-Fight Assistance

Airport Assistance

Most airports we fly in and out of are equipped with a Flight Information System. Our airport staff will inform passengers through broadcasts about boarding information and flight irregularities. Passengers with disabilities or hearing/visual impairments are welcome to inform our airport staff directly of any special assistance they may require.

Most airports we fly in and out of are also equipped with jet-bridges and Passenger Assist Lifts (PAL) to facilitate boarding and deplaning for passengers with disabilities.

Priority Arrangement of Seats Before Departure

In order to provide you with maximum comfort, we will arrange for passengers with disabilities to have aisle seats that are easy to access or seats that are equipped with movable armrests.

The seating configuration may differ across aircraft types. Please go to the Cabin Guide and view each type of aircraft's Seating Plan for details.

In-Fight Assistance

  • All aircraft types are equipped with onboard wheelchairs in order to facilitate disabled passengers' movements between the seats and toilet.
  • Flight attendants will offer assistance to passengers with disabilities in getting to/from seats during boarding and/or disembarkation; taking or placing carry-on baggage or other assistive devices; and getting to/from the toilet during the flight.
    Flight attendants are not permitted to provide feeding assistance, assistance within the lavatory or assistance at seat with defecation and/or urination functions, and medical services. If your medical condition requires that others provide you with these types of care, we recommend that you arrange for a nurse to accompany you.

Equipped Toilet for Disabilities

All our aircrafts are equipped toilets for passengers with disabilities, which have installed service bells, handrails, and no-skid floors inside. Some aircrafts have extended 60 inch toilets, or have installed curtains in order to assist disabled passengers. Please go to the Cabin Guide and view each type of aircraft's Seating Plan for details.

Special Meals

We offer pre-ordering special meals for guests with religious or health dietary requirement; we also provide special meals for vegetarian, infant and small children. Please select a meal from China Airlines Special Meal listing 24 hours before flight departure and feel free to contact China Airlines local reservation office, we will do our best to make arrangement for you.

For food intolerances and special medical dietary needs, in order to ensure a safe dining experience, special meal offerings may vary depending upon regional catering availabilities.

Mobility Aids

Mobility Aids

Mobility Aids

  • Mobility Aids can be included in the free baggage allowance at no additional charge.
  • Including wheelchairs, scooters, mobility aids, and wheelchairs/mobility aids with batteries; walkers, respirators, ventilators, canes, and crutches.
  • For usage by disabled passengers only.

Wheelchair Booking and Consignment Services

  • If you need to apply for airport wheelchair service or check in a wheelchair, please submit your request through our website at least 48 hours before departure, or contact the our Customer Service Center or local offices at least 24 hours before departure.
  • In order to ensure that our service can meet your actual needs, please first refer to the Mobility Aid Guide for details. Our staff may ask you some questions, such as: Can you move on your own without any assistance? How far can you walk? Can you climb up or walk down stairs without any assistance?
  • Passengers who have booked a wheelchair can contact our staff to get the wheelchair when they arrive at the airport. Passengers can also use their own wheelchairs to get to the boarding gate.
  • Passengers who use electronic wheelchairs should consign the electronic wheelchairs when checking in at the airport.
  • We provide general wheelchairs for boarding, as well as the same service during transit and upon arrival at your destination.
  • For passengers who bring their own wheelchairs, whether manual or electric, our company provides free consignment service.
  • Since domestic and international airport facilities and local regulations may vary, if your wheelchair cannot be delivered to the boarding gate from the apron upon arrival, we will prioritize delivering your checked wheelchair to the baggage claim area. A wheelchair will also be prepared for you to use upon arrival, and our staff will accompany you to the baggage claim area and assist you in retrieving your checked wheelchair and baggage.

Wheelchair Batteries

The batteries for your wheelchair or mobility device must pass the tests specified in Section 38.3 in Part III of the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria. Li-ion battery for a wheelchair:

  • If the battery can be removed:
    1. The battery can choose not to be removed, but must be insulated, and disconnected from the wheelchair and then consigned for shipment.
    2. Removed battery enclosed within a battery container, and carried onboard in carry-on baggage. Each battery's capacity cannot be greater than 300 W/H.
    3. In addition to the wheelchair battery, a spare li-ion battery with a capacity lower than 300 W/H or two spare li-ion batteries with a capacity lower than 160 W/H each are allowed in carry-on baggage.
  • If the li-ion battery cannot be removed: The battery must be insulated and disconnected from the wheelchair and then consigned for shipment.
  • For battery types and specifications, please refer to the “Mobility Aid Guide.”
  • Please carry the battery specification sheet with you when traveling for inspection by security personnel.

The above are general guidelines and are subject to change based on new regulations in different countries.

Stretcher

We provide charged stretcher service on board to care for passengers who need to remain lying flat throughout the flight.

  • Application Process and Required Documents:
    1. Please complete the application with customer service at least two working days (excluding weekends and holidays) prior to the flight departure date and obtain approval from our medical department before traveling.
    2. The "Medical Clearance Form" and "Medical Certificate" must be signed by a qualified doctor and dated within 10 days of the scheduled departure date. If the passenger has been hospitalized or undergone surgery within two weeks prior to the flight, a medical summary must also be provided. For example, if the departure date is March 29, the "Medical Clearance Form" and "Medical Certificate" must be signed on or after March 20.
    3. Passenger must be accompanied by at least one physically fit adult (medical escorts if deemed necessary by China Airlines) in order to provide care during the flight. The accompanying person must sit next to the passenger.
    4. To comply with Taiwan Regulation of Infectious Disease Control, we will submit all in-bound stretcher passenger’s medical documents together with special immigration/custom clearance application to Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

  • Notice:
    1. Stretcher passenger will only be accepted in the Economy Class cabin.
    2. Passengers requesting to use an in-flight stretcher must complete the application with our reservation department at least two working days (excluding weekends and holidays) prior to the flight departure date and make the necessary booking and ticketing arrangements.

  • Applicable Fare:
    1. For stretcher passenger: The highest one-way RBD Y economy published adult fare shall be applied.
    2. For stretcher equipment: 9 times the highest one-way RBD Y economy published adult fare shall be applied.

On-board Medical Oxygen

We provide charged in-flight oxygen bottle rental service for passengers with medical needs.

  • Application Process and Required Documents:
    1. Please complete the application with customer service at least two working days (excluding weekends and holidays) prior to the flight departure date and obtain approval to arrange for the required oxygen bottle.
    2. The "Medical Clearance Form" must be signed by a qualified doctor and dated within 10 days of the scheduled departure date. If the passenger has been hospitalized or undergone surgery within two weeks prior to the flight, a medical summary must also be provided.
    3. Passenger must be accompanied by at least one physically fit adult (medical escorts if deemed necessary by China Airlines) in order to provide care during the flight. The accompanying person must sit next to the passenger.

  • Notice:
    1. Medical Oxygen Service does not include oxygen needs on the ground. Oxygen on the ground including before departure/during transfer and after arrival should be arranged by passenger.
    2. Due to flight safety concerned, passenger who request oxygen onboard cannot be assigned on seat on emergency exit row.
    3. The built-in oxygen supply systems on aircraft are strictly designed for emergency situations.

  • Charges Information:
    1. US$200 charge per oxygen bottle in each flight segment.
    2. As the oxygen equipment needs to be installed in the seat, an additional seat must be purchased for its accommodation. For details on the associated charges and to inquire about the ticket price for the additional seat, please contact our customer service.

Portable Medical Electronic Devices

Passengers who need to bring electronic medical equipment (such as oxygen generators, suction devices, apparatus respirators, etc.) on board because of health conditions must follow precautions listed below (not applicable to the code-shared flights that are not operated by China Airlines):

  • Application Process and Required Documents:
    1. Please complete the application with customer service at least two working days (excluding weekends and holidays) prior to the flight departure date and obtain approval from China Airlines before traveling.
    2. The "Medical Clearance Form" and "Medical Certificate" must be signed by a qualified doctor and dated within 10 days of the scheduled departure date. If the passenger has been hospitalized or undergone surgery within two weeks prior to the flight, a medical summary must also be provided.
    3. The passenger must be accompanied by a medical staff or adult who is capable of operating and fastening the medical equipment that is brought on board.
    4. Please complete the check-in procedure as soon as possible on the boarding date and arrive at the boarding gate early so that the airport staff will have enough time to make arrangements for you.

  • Carrying Electronic Medical Equipment On Board:
    1. For the brand and the model of the medical equipment, please refer to the China Airlines On Board Medical Equipment Table (verified through RTCA-Requirement and Technical Concepts for Aviation), and the device must have the manufacturer‘s trademark for the CI staff identification. In addition to the models listed in the table, other POCs that have a label indicating "RTCA/DO-160~ Section 21 Category M Compliant FAA Approved" or "The manufacturer of this POC has determined this device conforms to all applicable FAA acceptance criteria for POC carriage and use on board aircraft." will be accepted to be carried and used on board.
    2. Power supply is not permitted on board, adequate spare batteries must be brought on board following China Airlines’ regulations and individually protected to prevent short circuits or damage. Additionally, they must meet the provisions in the Dangerous Goods Regulations of Air Transport.
    3. A non-stretcher passenger's medical equipment must be fixed at the bottom of the front seat and fastened by an extended seat belt. A stretcher passenger's medical equipment must be fixed under the stretcher at the bottom of the seat.

  • Notice:
    1. Passengers with sleep apnea can carry the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure(CPAP) on board without the Medical Clearance Form and should comply with Carry-on baggage and Dangerous Goods Regulations of Air Transport. Timing of using the CPAP is the same as Electronic Devices Regulation.
    2. Humidifiers connected to medical devices can be used onboard. Vapor or incense emitted from personal humidifiers or air purifiers is strictly prohibited.

Visually Impaired Passenger Service

Visually Impaired Passenger Service

Visually impaired passengers may refer to the Braille version of the safety instructions to understand the in-flight emergency evacuation information:

  • No smoking.
  • Restrictions of using the electrical devices.
  • The use of seat belts, including instructions on how to fasten and unfasten the seat belts.
  • The location of emergency exits.
  • The location and use of any required emergency flotation device.
  • The location and use of oxygen masks.
  • Other emergency equipment provided for individual use or for collective use.

Upon boarding, cabin crew will proactively conduct a safety briefing for visually impaired passengers:

  • The location and use of seat belts.
  • The location and use of oxygen masks.
  • The location and use of life vests.
  • The two nearest exits and how many rows away from the exits (front and back).
  • Explain to the subject passenger, should an emergency evacuation become necessary; one is required to follow the instruction given by duty zone cabin crew to proceed to an exit.
  • Explain when evacuation becomes necessary, all passengers are required to evacuate immediately. If one cannot evacuate on one’s own, cabin crew or PSP will assist them. For vision impaired passenger: Use the oxygen mask and life vest in Demo Kit to perform the briefing; a walk from his/her seat to the exit is often the easiest way to help the subject passenger. The Blind Version of Safety Instruction should be referred to the passenger.

Assistance Provided Onboard for Visually Impaired Passengers:

  • During boarding:
    Cabin crew will verbally explain before offering assistance or service and establish effective communication.
    1. To guide the passenger, gently pat the back of their hand and allow them to hold the cabin crew’s arm to proceed.
    2. Inform obstacle ahead.
    3. Upon reaching the seat, guide the passenger’s hand to the seat back or armrest so they can locate the seat and sit down independently.
    4. Assist the passenger in being seated with seat belt fastened and introduce the seat facilities and surroundings according to one’s facing direction, and the nearest lavatory.

  • During the flight:
    Cabin Manager and duty zone cabin crew will provide appropriate services, assistance, and care.
    1. Assist the physically impaired passenger, the accompanied adult passenger or medical personnel in moving the passenger to or from one’s seat.
    2. Ask the accompanied adult passenger or the medical personnel, if available, about the appropriate meal serving time and any special requirements from the subject passenger before meal service.
    3. Assist with the use of the on-board wheelchair and assistive device to enable the person to move to and from a lavatory.