Medical Fitness

Generally, healthy Passengers are able to tolerate air travel well, however the cabin environment may present a challenge for those with certain medical conditions or those travelling during or following treatment or rehabilitation.

Link Airways requires Passengers with a medical condition or Passengers intending to travel during or following treatment or rehabilitation to notify us prior to, or at the time of making of your booking on 1300 851 269 or email reservations@linkairways.com

Link Airways requires Passengers in the following categories to provide us with a Medical Information Form, completed and signed by your treating medical practitioner, at least 72 hours prior to your scheduled departure:

you have, or you have experienced, a medical condition identified in our Medical Clearance Guidelines; or
you or your doctor is unsure about your fitness to fly; or
you have had recent surgery, you suffer from an ailment not specified in our Medical Clearance Guidelines or any other condition (including communicable diseases and infections) which may affect your health or the health of other Passengers whilst on board our aircraft and inflight.

This is not an exhaustive list, if you are in doubt about your fitness to fly, then Link Airways strongly recommends you speak to your treating medical practitioner before booking your flight, and prior to your scheduled departure.

If you present at the boarding gate, without a completed Medical Information Form, and appear physically ill (i.e. vomiting), requiring first aid or oxygen, our crew may in its absolute discretion refuse to allow you to board our aircraft until a Medical Information Form has been provided.

If you are required to provide us with a Medical Information Form and fail to do so, we may refuse to allow you to board our aircraft (this may result in you forfeiting your flight and may incur fees and charges subject to our Fare Rules and Conditions of Carriage).

Link Airways staff are not medically trained and will only be able to render limited first aid assistance to Passengers in the event of a medical emergency on board our aircraft.

On this page you will find the following information:

Medical Clearance Guidelines

Our Medical Clearance Guidelines provide detailed information for Link Airways Passengers and their treating medical practitioner. The Guidelines adopt and accord with the IATA Medical Manual and may be updated by Link Airways from time to time.

Information for Passengers with certain medical conditions

Allergies

Link Airways require Passengers with allergies, and Passengers with anaphylaxis to provide us with notice of their medical condition at the time of booking or at least 72 hours before your scheduled departure. You will not generally be required to provide a Medical Information Form if you are able to travel with appropriate medication and are able to self-administer your medication in the event of an allergic reaction.

Link Airways will require you to complete a Medical Information Form if:

you are unable to travel with appropriate medication to treat an allergic reaction or anaphylaxis;
you are unable to self-administer your medication in the event of an allergic reaction; or
you have a severe allergy or anaphylaxis.

Link Airways cannot guarantee an allergy free environment on board our aircraft. If you require special assistance to manage your allergy whilst on board (for example, boarding the plane early to disinfect seats, tray tables and the like) please contact us on 1300 851 269 or email reservations@linkairways.com and we will endeavour to accommodate your needs where possible.

Food sold or served on board our aircraft may contain allergens.

Link Airways cannot prevent other Passengers from bringing food containing allergens on board the aircraft, or from consuming food containing allergens whilst in flight.

Pregnancy

For Passengers intending to travel when pregnant, or after delivery, the following precautions must be observed:

For travel after the first 28 weeks of your pregnancy: You need to carry a certificate or letter from a registered medical practitioner or registered midwife confirming the estimated date of delivery, whether it is a single or multiple pregnancy, and that there are no complications with your pregnancy. The certificate or letter must be available on request and be carried with you at the airport and during the flight in your cabin baggage;
For flights of four hours or more: If you are having no complications with your pregnancy you can travel up to the end of the 36th week of your pregnancy for single pregnancies or up to the end of the 32nd week for multiple pregnancies (for example, twins). A Medical Information Form (incorporating a doctor’s clearance) is required if you are having complications with your pregnancy;
For flights of less than four hours: If you are having no complications with your pregnancy you can travel up to the end of the 40th week of your pregnancy for single pregnancies and up to the end of the 36th week for multiple pregnancies (for example, twins). A Medical Information Form (incorporating a doctor’s clearance) is required if you are having complications with your pregnancy; and
If you wish to travel within seven days after delivery: a Medical Information Form (incorporating a doctor’s clearance) is required. Infants cannot travel for 48 hours after delivery and need a Medical Information Form (incorporating a doctors clearance) in order to travel between three and seven days after delivery.

Link Airways do not represent that travel is safe for you at any particular point during your pregnancy. You must seek advice from you own medical practitioner prior to your flight. The periods referred to above, and set out in our Conditions of Carriage, are our minimum requirements.

Risks inherent to being seated for extended periods and DVT

By its very nature medium to long-haul air travel involves extended periods of sitting. This may be a risk factor for some people forming blood clots in limbs, known as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). You should discuss with your doctor whether you are at risk of suffering DVT and, if so, what preventative measures you should take.

For Passengers who have a previous history of DVT, and where the DVT has been treated and is managed, a Medical Information Form may not be specifically required. Further information setting our when a Medical Information Form is required for DVT sufferers is set out in our Medical Clearance Guidelines

Travelling with medications

Link Airways does not require notice if you are travelling with medical sharps for personal use (unless the medical sharp is relevant to a server allergy or anaphylaxis).

If you require medication at the airport or during your flight, Link Airways reminds you:

to carry your medication in your Cabin Baggage so it is always accessible to you;
empty syringes cannot be carried in your Cabin Baggage unless you are carrying medication for use at the airport or on board our aircraft;
to ensure any medication carried is identified with an appropriate pharmaceutical label including your name and documentation (for example a letter from your medical practitioner) confirming your use / need for the pharmaceuticals. This letter can be reusable and is not limited by a validity period; and
to liaise with your pharmacist to ensure the correct storage and temperature for the carriage of your medication. If your medication needs to be chilled, it is your responsibility to do so. Link Airways crew cannot accept or store medication on board the aircraft; there are no refrigerated facilities to accommodate medication.

For further information in relation to travelling with medication on our flights, please contact us on 1300 851 269 or email reservations@linkairways.com