Guests with Special Needs “ The stars seemed near enough to touch and never before have I seen so many. I always believed the lure of flying is the lure of beauty, but I was sure of it that night. ” - Amelia Earhart (1897-1937)

Guests with Special Needs

Each of us requires extra assistance at one time or another and we want to make sure we that we are able to provide that assistance to you when you need it. So if you, or someone traveling in your party, have special needs that require our assistance to make your travel easier and more convenient, here is where you can find information that will answer your questions.

To be sure that we have time to prepare for your needs, we suggest you contact us at least 48 hours prior to departure. Simply call our reservations department at (number) and we’ll be pleased to make the necessary arrangements or provide you with whatever information you require to make your travel with us easier.

Although we don't require information concerning the extent of your disability, the more facts you can share with us about your travel needs, the better we are able to assist you. Our reservations agents will be happy to discuss your specific requirements when you call. Should you require transfer assistance at a connecting point, let us know so we can arrange for a wheelchair to be available when you arrive.

Here are some tips, guidelines and reminders that may help make your trip more enjoyable:

  • Remember to make your reservations as early as possible. Special services can be requested through online chat on our website or over the phone.
  • Be sure to let us know in advance of any special assistance you will require at each stage of your trip with us, both on the ground and onboard our aircraft.
  • Please arrive at the airport at least 2 hours prior to departure when requesting these services, and present yourself at the departure gate 1 hour prior to departure.

Remember, our team members are not permitted to assist with feeding, personal hygiene and lavatory functions. They cannot lift or carry people, and they cannot provide medical services, such as giving injections. If your medical condition requires others to provide this type of care, you should plan to travel with a ticketed companion who can assist you during the flight.

Wheelchairs:

We accept all wheelchairs and mobility devices as checked baggage in the cargo compartment of the aircraft. These items are not counted as part of a customer's baggage allowance and there is no baggage fee associated with transporting a wheelchair or mobility device for the use of a customer traveling on the same flight. When making your reservation or prior to travel, please notify us if you will be traveling with a wheelchair or mobility device. Also, please notify our customer service representative at the ticket counter at the time of check-in, and upon arrival at the gate area.

PEOPLExpress’ aircraft have a designated space in the cabin to accommodate one collapsible wheelchair. This limited space onboard the aircraft is available for customers who choose to take advantage of early boarding and is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the time of customer check-in at the departure gate. Additionally, some wheelchairs can collapse to fit either in an overhead bin or beneath a seat.

Other assistive devices, such as walkers, canes, crutches, etc. may be stowed in compliance with the FAA safety regulations and are given priority onboard stowage. These items will not be counted toward the Carry-on baggage allowance. Due to storage capacity and size limitations, some equipment or devices may have to be checked as baggage if it is not required during flight and can be checked at the gate at no charge to the passenger.

Wheelchairs are available for use at each of our airports. If no wheelchairs are in view upon arrival, please ask an agent for assistance in locating one.

We also offer aisle wheelchairs for transferring non-ambulatory customers to and from their seats on the aircraft.

Wheelchair Batteries:

Federal regulations require spillable (wet cell) and non-spillable (dry cell) batteries to be disconnected from their device, unless the mobility aid has an effective design to prevent unintentional activation. If the wheelchair is equipped with an electronic memory chip, disconnection may cause memory loss. Spillable batteries may need to be removed from the device and transported in an approved, customer supplied, battery box if the device cannot be loaded, secured, and unloaded in an upright position. Please contact us if you have questions regarding acceptable containers for spillable batteries.

Hearing Disabilities:

Please advise a member of the inflight cabin crew onboard your flight if you have a hearing disability so that they may alert you to important flight information. Upon request, we are also available to assist you in the airport, along with offering an individual safety briefing.

Visual Disabilities:

Please request our assistance if you have a vision disability and would like assistance at the ticket counter or help getting to your gate. Federal Aviation Regulations require canes to be stowed prior to takeoff and landing as a safety measure. If you need assistance when flying, our Customer Service Managers will explain emergency procedures and aircraft surroundings to you along identify inflight services for you.

Service Animals:

PEOPLExpress accepts service animals used by persons with disabilities at no charge. An animal may accompany a customer with a disability in the aircraft cabin, provided the animal can be accommodated without obstructing an aisle or other area used for emergency evacuations.

  • A health certificate is not required for service animals;
  • An Animal Identification Card or harness, vest, cape or backpack with appropriate animal identification may be required;
  • Verbal assurance detailing what services the animal provides, as well as the training received may be required;
  • A written statement by a mental health care professional may be required for passengers wishing to travel with a therapeutic/emotional support animal;
  • Passengers traveling with a service animal may not be seated in an emergency exit row

NOTE: We reserve the right to refuse to accommodate an animal in the cabin if credible proof of service and training is not available, or if the animal is considered aggressive or disruptive.

Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC)

PEOPLExpress permits use of the following seven (7) types of oxygen concentrators onboard its aircraft:

  • AirSep Freestyle
  • AirSep Lifestyle
  • EVO Central Air (Delphi RS-00400)
  • Inogen One
  • Invacare XPO2
  • Respironics Evergo
  • SeQual Eclipse

A Portable Oxygen Concentrator Physician Consent Form is required to be completed and signed by your physician. PEOPLExpress will not provide a Portable Oxygen Concentrator for passenger use onboard the aircraft.

The user of the Portable Oxygen Concentrator must comply with the following conditions to use the device onboard the aircraft:

  • The user must be capable of hearing the unit's alarms, seeing the alarm light indicators, and have the ability to take the appropriate action in response to the various caution and warning alarms and alarm light indicators, or be traveling with someone who is capable of performing those functions;
  • The user must ensure the portable oxygen concentrator is free of oil, grease or other petroleum products, is in good condition, and free from damage or other signs of excessive wear or abuse;
  • The user must inform PEOPLExpress that he or she intends to use a portable oxygen concentrator onboard the aircraft. The user must have a written statement, signed by a licensed physician, in that person's possession, and must allow Company personnel to review the contents of the physician's statement which must:
    • state whether the user of the device has the physical and cognitive ability to see, hear and understand the device's aural and visual cautions and warnings and is able, without assistance, to take the appropriate action in response to those cautions and warnings;
    • state whether or not oxygen use is medically necessary for all or a portion of the duration of the trip; and
    • Specify the maximum oxygen flow rate corresponding to the pressure in the cabin of the aircraft under normal operating conditions.
  • Only lotions or ointments that are oxygen approved may be used by persons using the portable oxygen concentrator device;
  • The user must carry on the flight a sufficient number of batteries to power the device for the duration of the oxygen use specified in the physician's statement, including a conservative estimate of any unanticipated delays;
  • The user must ensure that all batteries carried onboard the aircraft in carry-on baggage are protected from short circuit and are packaged in a manner that protects them from physical damage; and
  • When a battery-powered portable oxygen concentrator is carried onboard the aircraft as carry-on baggage and is not intended to be used during the flight, the battery must be removed to prevent accidental operation during transport.

Medication:

Please note that PEOPLExpress does not provide medical services or administration of medication. However, we will provide service to help safely transport medication.

Passengers should always bring medication onboard in their carry-on baggage. Never put medicine in your checked baggage. Our airplanes do not have refrigerators onboard, so please plan accordingly. If you use needles to inject medication, it is helpful to have a doctor's statement with you in case security officers have any questions. Our personnel will not be responsible for administering medication of any kind.

Allergies:

PEOPLExpress is unable to guarantee an allergen-free flight. Attempting to do this would create a false sense of security for passengers with severe allergies. We encourage customers with allergies to consult with their doctor regarding the safety of air travel.

Customers of Size:

PEOPLExpress wants all passengers to enjoy a safe and comfortable flight. The armrest is considered to be the definitive boundary between seats. Additionally, armrests (when fully lowered) are viewed as providing a measure of safety by restricting the seat occupant's lateral (side-to-side) movement.

Customers who are unable to lower both armrests and/or who compromise any portion of adjacent seat or aisle should book one of our Living Large seats or two seats prior to travel. Please speak with a member of our customer service team for more information.