How to contact disability assistance

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Disability assistance request

For Passengers with Special Medical Requirements
Medical clearance form

Contact us
Telephone : +94117771979
Telephone (Toll Free) : 1-800-497-4270
Fax : +94197333999
Email : reservations@srilankan.com

Passengers with special medical requirements

Except for air transportation services involving a continuous journey in the same aircraft or with a single flight number that begins or ends at a U.S. airport, the following persons must receive medical clearance from SriLankan Airlines before flying:
  • Passengers suffering from a disease believed to be contagious and communicable.
  • Passengers manifesting an 'unusual behaviour' because of a disease or physical condition, which could have an adverse effect on the welfare and comfort of other passengers and/or crew or could be considered a potential hazard to the safety of the flight or its punctuality.
  • Passengers requiring medical attention and/or special equipment to maintain their health during the flight.
  • Passengers whose medical conditions might become life threatening or where there is a concern that the passenger cannot complete the flight safely without extraordinary medical attention.
  • Passengers who cannot use the normal aircraft seat when placed in the upright position.
  • Except for air transportation services involving a continuous journey in the same aircraft or with a single flight number that begins or ends at a U.S. airport, passengers manifesting an ‘unusual behaviour’ because of a disease or physical condition, which could have an adverse effect on the welfare and comfort of other passengers and/or crew or could be considered a potential hazard to the safety of the flight or its punctuality.
If your condition is described above, medical clearance from SriLankan Airlines is necessary. A 'Medical Information Form' (MEDIF) must be completed by your own doctor and submitted to the nearest SriLankan Airlines office, at least 48 hours before flight departure. Please ask your travel agent or contact any SriLankan Airlines office for a 'Medical Information Form' (MEDIF).

For disabled passengers traveling on a continuous journey in the same aircraft or with a single flight number that begins or ends at a U.S airport, such passengers must only provide a medical certificate or obtain medical clearance for flights to/from the U.S as a condition for being transported in the following four specific situations:
  • the passenger is traveling in a stretcher or incubator;
  • the passenger needs medical oxygen during a flight;
  • the passenger’s medical condition is such that there is reasonable doubt that the passenger can complete the flight safely, without requiring extraordinary medical assistance during the flight; or
  • the passenger has a communicable disease or condition that could pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others on the flight.

For flights to and from the U.S operated by codeshare partners, medical clearance and medical certificate requirements are governed by our codeshare partners’ contract of carriage provisions


Wheelchairs at the airport

If you need a wheelchair to help you through the airport, please request at the time of making your booking, and we’ll do everything we can to help you out.

Passengers requesting wheelchair assistance at the airport without prior notice, will be offered such assistance at a charge of LKR 5000 (originating out of Colombo only), except for air travel involving a continuous journey in the same aircraft or with a single flight number that begins or ends at a U.S. airport.

Kindly note that, the age limit for providing wheelchair services to elderly passengers is 75 - 85 years. All passengers below and above the stipulated age limit are required to produce authorized medical forms in order to obtain the service. This restriction applies to all types of wheelchair services.

Wheelchairs are only allowed up to the ramp and steps. If you require wheelchair assistance up to the cabin, you need to submit our Medical Information Form

Please provide a copy of your passport to our Global Call Centre or ticket offices when requesting this service.


Travelling with your own Mobility Equipment

Two pieces of mobility equipment can be carried free of charge and will not count against the standard baggage allowance.

However, passengers involved in a continuous journey in the same aircraft or with a single flight number that begins or ends at a U.S. airport, may carry on the aircraft or check as baggage any necessary assistive devices or mobility equipment free of charge, as long as such devices or equipment can be transported in a manner consistent with applicable government-imposed security, safety and hazardous materials requirements.

If you have a battery-powered wheelchair, you will need to take certain safeguards before you travel. Please ask for details at the time you make your booking.


Carrying personal medical equipment

Prior approval is mandatory for all electrical and electronic medical devices to be used onboard aircraft including the use of personal medical equipment.

To obtain approval, please submit the 'Medical Information Form' (MEDIF)’ , duly completed and signed by your own doctor, to the nearest SriLankan Airlines office along with the details of the medical electrical and electronic devices, at least 48 hours before flight departure. You can also ask your travel agent or contact any SriLankan Airlines office for the 'Medical Information Form' (MEDIF).

Please make sure to obtain approval for all electrical and electronic medical devices to be used onboard prior to purchasing a ticket to avoid disappointment.

Medical Portable Electronic Devices (M-PED)

The above clearance (approval) is required for all Medical Portable Electronic Devices (M-PED) including but not limited to;

  • Automated external defibrillators (AED)
  • Airborne patient medical tele monitoring (APMT) equipment
  • Portable oxygen concentrators
  • Nebulizer
  • Continuous or Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP or BIPAP)
  • Electronic nerve stimulators
  • Heart pacemakers or other implanted medical devices

Carrying Medical Portable Electronic Device (M-PED) operated by lithium batteries

When travelling with medical equipment operated by lithium batteries, please use the following table to determine if the device can be accepted as carry-on baggage or checked baggage:

Carriage of M-PED and spare batteries are dependent on the Watt-hour (Wh) rating for lithium ion (rechargeable) batteries or the lithium metal content in grams (g) for lithium metal (non-rechargeable) batteries.


Watt-hour rating (Wh) or Lithium metal content (g) Configuration Carry-on Baggage Check-in Baggage
≤ 100 Wh (2g) In equipment / packed with equipment
Spare batteries
Yes (Max 15 pieces)
Yes (Max 2 spare batteries)
Yes
> 100 Wh to ≤ 160 Wh (2g – 8g) In equipment / packed with equipment
Spare batteries
Yes
Yes (Max 2 spare batteries)
Yes
> 160 Wh (8g) In equipment and as spares** Forbidden Forbidden

** Lithium batteries (over 160Wh or 8g) must be carried as cargo in accordance with the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations.
Note:

  • Batteries must be non-spillable and contain less than 160Wh of charge

Power Supply onboard the aircraft

  • Power for medical equipment is not guaranteed and could be interrupted during flight, therefore we recommend, passengers on life support equipment must provide their own suitable back-up battery power supply for use in flight, batteries must be fully charged and sufficient for the maximum flight duration (including possible flight delays)
  • All non-critical medical equipment such as CPAP or BIPAP machines, nebulizers, neurostimulators, HR/BP monitors, syringe/feeding pumps, suction devices and aspirators, external or transcutaneous nerve stimulators e.g. TENS machine can either be connected to the inflight laptop power 110VAC outlets (if available) or be self-powered using approved dry-cell or gel-type battery packs in accordance with all applicable regulations.
  • Approved Medical Equipment may be connected to the aircraft power outlet for medical use if the Medical Equipment Power Supply Unit has a label-rated input and connecting plugs are compatible with the aircraft medical outlet receptacle standard as applicable.

Please note due to operational reasons, aircraft power outlets will not be guaranteed, therefore we recommend you ensure the medical equipment is self-powered using an approved dry-cell or gel-type battery packs in accordance with all applicable regulation


Medical power outlet in the aircraft

Aircraft Type Power Rating: Receptacle Standard
A320 neo and A321 neo 115V/60Hz AC and 28V DC NEMA 5-15R/ IEC TYPE B and NEMA ML-1R
A330-200 115V/60Hz AC and 28V DC NEMA 5-15R/ IEC TYPE B and NEMA ML-1R
A330-300 115V/60Hz AC and 230V/50Hz NEMA 5-15R/ IEC TYPE B and IEC TYPE F

NOTE: As an alternate to aircraft Medical Power Outlet, In Seat Power Outlet may be used in lieu if the device is approved and meets specific requirements.

  • Please note that aircraft in-seat electrical power is not guaranteed to be available or operative on all flights.
  • SriLankan Airlines is not liable for any injury or harm to the passenger caused by a passenger attempting to use the power supplies for medical equipment or by the failure of onboard power supplies. Passengers use of power supplies is at their own risk.

Restrictions and use of Medical Portable Electronic Devices

  • An acceptable medical device is a medical device that complies to;
    • Electromagnetic compatibility with aircraft Must complies to RTCA DO-160D Section 21 Category M standard Please refer user manual, specification sheet of the medical device or its manufacturer guidance to ensure compliance to RTCA DO-160D Section 21 Category M standard
    • Battery transportation limitations
  • Medical Portable Electronic Devices (M-PED) can only be operated after takeoff and the seat belt sign is extinguished, until the commencement of cabin preparation for landing, unless critical medical equipment is required for life support NOTE: If the device is required to be used continuously during all phases of flight, passengers cannot be seated in exit rows and bulkhead seats due to safety regulations.
  • The following devices may be operated at any time during the flight
    • Hearing aids
    • Heart pacemakers or other implanted medical devices
    • Electronic nerve stimulators (A Sacral Nerve Stimulation System is considered as an Electronic nerve simulator)
    • Pagers
    • Acceptable personal life support systems

General Conditions

  • Please note all electrical and electronic medical devices subject to prior approval and under the discretion of Sri Lankan Airline medical unit.
  • SriLankan Airlines reserves the right to check your equipment again prior to departure.
  • Please note that notwithstanding prior approval, SriLankan Airlines reserves the right to refuse carriage of any personal medical equipment in the event that SriLankan Airlines is of the reasonable belief such equipment may pose a risk to the safety of passengers and aircraft or for any other reason.
  • SriLankan Airlines shall have no responsibility and shall in no event held liable if passenger’s personal medical equipment is not approved, rejected at the air or is not carried onboard.

Companions Providing Assistance

If you are not self-reliant (capable of taking care of all your physical needs independently in-flight) e.g. cannot self-lift into a wheelchair during the flight, we request you to travel with a companion who can assist you. While we would be happy to help where possible, we cannot assume obligation for providing on-board assistance, which might contravene health, safety or hygiene regulations.

For air transportation services involving a continuous journey in the same aircraft or with a single flight number that begins or ends at a U.S. airport, passengers are required to travel with an assistant or companion if they:

(1) Must travel in a stretcher or incubator;
(2) have a mental disability and are unable to comprehend or respond appropriately to safety instructions, safety briefings, or applicable government-imposed safety regulations;
(3) have a mobility impairment that prevents them from physically assisting in their own evacuation of an aircraft in an emergency situation; or
(4) Have both severe hearing and severe vision impairments that prevents them from communicating with carrier personnel to allow transmission of safety briefings or applicable government-imposed safety regulations or assisting in their own evacuation of an aircraft in an emergency situation.

Passengers requiring special assistance

We always try to accommodate our passengers who require special assistance on board. Aisle wheelchairs are available on our wide body aircraft. Safety regulations stipulate that passengers with reduced mobility should not be seated at emergency exits or in cross aisles that form part of emergency exit routes with pre-assigned seats allocated for easy identification by crew for assistance in case of an emergency. Toilets on board are equipped with assist facilities.

Visually Impaired or Hearing Impaired Passengers

If you require meet-and-assist service or if you need to be guided to or from the aircraft, please notify the booking agent at the time of making your reservation.

Travelling with Guide/Assistance Dogs

A dog trained to lead the visually impaired or the hearing impaired passengers may be accepted for transportation in the company of the passenger who is dependent on such a dog, without charge. SriLankan Airlines accepts "seeing eye" or "hearing" dogs subject to the following rules and regulations:
  • Any disabled passenger who is actually dependent on such a dog, traveling on a continuous journey in the same aircraft or with a single flight number that begins or ends at a U.S. airport is entitled to travel with a Guide/Assistant dog
  • Meet and Assist on Arrival
  • For other conditions of accepting such dogs, please visit baggage policy or contact your local SriLankan Airlines office

For flights to and from the U.S operated by codeshare partners, passengers travelling with service animals will be governed by our codeshare partners’ contract of carriage provisions regarding service animals.



Requirements for flying during Pregnancy

For your own safety and the wellbeing of your child, SriLankan Airlines recommends that you visit your doctor and enquire about your fitness to fly the length of the trip you intend to take prior to booking your ticket.

Expectant mothers without any complications travelling after their 28th week of pregnancy are required to provide a Medical Certificate from a qualified Medical Practitioner issued within 7 days of travel, confirming that the pregnancy is free of complication/ s, mother is fit to travel and the estimated date of delivery.

Expectant mothers with multiple and/or complicated pregnancy shall carry a Medical Certificate at all times from a qualified Medical Practitioner issued within 7 days of travel, confirming that the mother is fit to travel and the estimated date of delivery.

The Medical Certificate shall carry the date of consultation and contact details.

We also recommend that the expectant mothers carry their pregnancy records at all times.

Expectant mother will be permitted to travel.

Flight duration

Single Uncomplicated Pregnancy

Multiple/ Complicated Pregnancy

Up to 4 Hours

Up to 36 weeks

Up to 32 weeks

Over 4 hours

Up to 35 weeks

Up to 28 weeks


In the event your travel involves another carrier, please ensure that the acceptance requirements of the airline concerned is complied with.

Some countries place limitations on the entry of non-national pregnant mothers. It is advisable to check with the local Consulate to confirm the country specific requirements.

If you choose not to carry a Medical Certificate as required or your Medical Certificate is outdated and/or does not contain the correct information required, SriLankan Airlines reserves the right to deny you boarding.  

Air travel is not recommended within the first 7 days after delivery.

For further information on flying during your pregnancy, please contact reservations@srilankan.com


Special assistance for codeshare partners

For flights to and from the U.S., operated by codeshare partners, CRO assistance will be provided by our codeshare partners and directions on how to contact the CRO may be found on the codeshare partner’s website.

Certain special services may not be available for codeshare flights operated by partner airlines. Please contact the SriLankan Airlines 24-hour Contact Centre for further information.


Complaint Resolution for Customers with Special Need

For passengers travelling in to and out of United States of America, consumers can obtain a copy of Part 382, the regulations regarding nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in air travel, in an accessible format from the Department of Transportation by any of the following means:

  • For calls made from within the United States, by telephone via the Toll-Free Hotline for Air Travelers with Disabilities
    (Voice) 1-800-778-4838
    (TTY) 1-800-455-9880
  • By telephone to the Aviation Consumer Protection Division
    (Voice) 202-366-2220
    (TTY) 202-366-0511
  • By mail to the Air Consumer Protection Division
    C-75,
    U.S. Department of Transportation,
    1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., West Building
    Room W96-432
    Washington, DC 20590
  • On the Aviation Consumer Protection Division's Web site (http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov).

For flights to and from the U.S, operated by codeshare partners, Complaints Resolution Official assistance will be provided by our codeshare partners and directions on how to contact the Complaints Resolution Official may be found on the codeshare partner’s website


Last updated date – 29th March 2023


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