Medical cases

Air Mauritius offers extensive assistance for those travelling with medical conditions, and our staff offer sensitive and practical support throughout your journey. If you have a medical condition which may need management in-flight, please consult your doctor before booking your trip to ensure you are able to travel.

Medical clearance

Your safety and well-being are our top priorities. If you have a health condition that requires special attention during your journey, please follow these steps:

Notify us early: To ensure a smooth and safe travel experience, please inform us of your special requirements at least 72 hours before your departure. This allows us ample time to process your medical clearance.

Medical clearance process

If your travel conditions are in doubt and you require special attention or medical equipment on board, our airline doctor may request a Medical Certificate of Fitness for Air Travel (MEDIF) from your attending physician.

Here's what you need to do:

  • Contact our 24/7 reservation team at [email protected] to book your flight.

  • Your attending physician will fill out the MEDIF, which will then be reviewed and signed by our airline doctor.

  • Passengers who are required to fill in a MEDIF form will not be able to purchase their tickets online. For more detailed information, please refer to our medical clearance guidelines.

  • Needles and Syringes

To carry needles or syringes on board, it is recommended to have a prescription from a registered physician. Please do not dispose of used needles or syringes without protective caps. Dispose of them responsibly.

 

  • Medication

Ensure your medication is in your carry-on luggage and not checked in. You may be asked to provide a doctor's letter at the airport explaining your condition and medications.

 

  • Personal Medical Equipment

Special approval is needed for electronic medical equipment to be used on board. This is to prevent interference with the aircraft's navigation and communication systems. If your equipment causes interference, our cabin crew may request that you turn it off.

You can carry the following self-powered medical devices on board: incubators, respirators, nebulizers, ventilators, heart pacemakers, FAA-approved POC devices, and CPAP machines. Please refer to our list of accepted medical equipment. Be aware that we do not provide in-flight power supply, so ensure you have an adequate battery supply.

 

  • CPAP Machines and POC Devices

Approved FAA Portable Oxygen Concentrator (POC) devices and Continuous Positive Air Pressure (CPAP) models can be carried and used on our flights. When in use, stow all POCs beneath the seat in front of you. Additional restrictions may apply if these devices use lithium batteries. Note that bulkhead and emergency seats are not available.

 

  • Oxygen Concentrators

To use oxygen on board, a personal portable oxygen concentrator, ventilator, respirator, or incubator, you must notify us at the time of reservation. Only an Air Mauritius-approved oxygen kit is allowed on board an Air Mauritius aircraft. The rate of flow as prescribed by the company doctor must be specified in the request.

 

  • Extra oxygen is on board

An additional oxygen kit can be provided on board, subject to specific regulations. To make the necessary arrangements, please contact our 24/7 Reservation Team at [email protected] as early as possible and at least 72 hours before departure. Please note that a medical certificate from a physician will be required to indicate your fitness to travel without any additional medical assistance during the flight. 

Please do keep in mind that medications and associated supply items, such as syringes, pills, injectables and infusers, must be screened prior to embarkation. It is recommended to carry a doctor’s prescription.

 

The following life support equipment (incubators, respirators, nebulizers, and ventilators) may be carried on board, provided that:

  • Dry or gel-cell batteries are used for their operations.

  • A doctor’s prescription has been issued to justify their use. 

  • The equipment fits underneath a seat or can be strapped into an adjoining seat. In the latter case, the seat needs to be purchased as an extra seat for comfort.

  • The life support equipment and its power supply are correctly protected, packed where necessary, and secured properly. 

  • No medical equipment shall be installed in the exit area.

All stretcher cases have to be accompanied by trained medical staff competent to provide the attention required, and this is available only upon prior request at least 72 hours before departure. The passenger needs to fill in the MEDIF form for medical clearance by the company doctor.

Air Mauritius recommends that you arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight departure for optimal assistance.

We ensure that our passengers with medical needs, including those requiring extra oxygen, travelling on stretchers, completely immobile passengers, or those with fused or immobilized legs, are allocated the most appropriate seating according to their needs. This also includes the stowage of medical devices or equipment onboard.

We also provide adjacent seating as applicable for personal care attendants, safety attendants, or readers/interpreters with vision or hearing impairments. For further assistance or inquiries, please contact us.

Air Mauritius may store personal medical equipment upon a passenger's request. This is entirely at our discretion. A discharge sheet needs to be filled in by the passenger.

Medical items, such as biological or conditioning samples, are prohibited.

Medical items must satisfy the Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) for cabin carriage. Check out our Dangerous Goods section for more information.

Some passengers may require a travel companion for their safety during travel. The travel companion’s role will be to assist you in the case of an emergency, particularly in the case of aircraft evacuation.

You don’t need a travel companion if you are able to do all of the following on your own:

  • Fasten your safety equipment, including opening your safety belt and putting on your life jacket.

  • Use your oxygen mask without assistance.

  • Understand and follow safety instructions.

  • Manage your own meals and drinks.

  • Administer medications if required.

  • Handle restroom visits independently.

 

A travel companion is mandatory when:

  • The passenger has a severe mental disability that prevents him from understanding and applying safety instructions.

  • The passenger is both blind and deaf, making communication with the crew impossible.

  • The passenger has a motor-based disability, such as paraplegia or quadriplegia, that hinders their ability to participate in an evacuation and requires assistance on board.

 

Travel Companion Requirements

  • They should be physically capable of assisting you in case of an emergency.

  • They must be 18 years or older.

  • They should be familiar with your reduced mobility condition and your specific requirements.

  • A travel companion cannot simultaneously care for a child under the age of 12 or another disabled passenger.

Checked Baggage

Beyond the baggage allowance associated with your airline ticket, you can bring along the following at no extra cost:

  • Two personal mobility devices (collapsible/folding wheelchairs, a pair of crutches, and walking frames).

  • An additional baggage item for your medical equipment, weighing up to 23 kg.

 

Hand Baggage

You can carry one hand baggage item (two items in Business class):

  • Max weight: 7 kg.

  • Max dimensions: 55 x 35 x 25 cm.

 

At the Airport

  • Check in at the dedicated counter, where your documents will be screened.

  • We will attach a specific label to your luggage for easy identification.

  • To ensure the best service, arrive at least two hours before your flight.

  • Our staff will assist you with your boarding pass, immigration and boarding gate access.

 

Priority Boarding

  • Listen for our pre-boarding announcement at the gate and board ahead of other passengers.

  • If you need assistance or are travelling in a wheelchair, we offer priority boarding.

  • If you require in-flight oxygen, we arrange pre-boarding facilities and seating.

  • Mention your needs at the time of reservation.

  • Be specific and clear when describing a medical condition.

  • Be specific and clear when describing the trip to your doctor. A doctor can often prescribe measures for coping with an unusually long flight, limited medical facilities at your destination, the unavailability of prescription drugs, and other pitfalls of travelling.

  • Always carry a doctor’s note and phone number.

  • Travel with a statement from your doctor, preferably on letterhead, covering your condition, medications, potential complications, special needs, and other pertinent information. Be sure you have a number where your doctor (or another medical professional) can be reached in an emergency situation at any hour of the day.