Travelling with assistive devices

An assistive device is any piece of equipment that assists a passenger with a disability in caring for themselves, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing or carrying out any other daily activity.

Common assistive devices include walking canes or frames, crutches, rollators, breathing support machines (such as a CPAP or BiPAP), medical devices (such as respirators and ventilators), hoists, shower chairs, commodes (toilet chairs), inflatable pressure cushions, and medications.

Only certain assistive devices can be carried in the aircraft cabin – such as walking canes and crutches.

Some assistive devices cannot be carried in the aircraft cabin at all – this includes wheelchairs, non-collapsible walking frames/rollators and hiking sticks and poles.

These items will need to be checked in. If you use a hiking stick or pole as an assistive device, you will need to travel with an additional or alternative assistive device that can be carried in the aircraft cabin, such as a walking cane.

If you’re travelling with oxygen please visit our travel oxygen page.

Booking and planning

Whether your assistive device is checked in or carried on board, you may need approval before you fly. For details and requirements, see Dangerous Goods.

Checking in your assistive device

You can check in any number of assistive devices for your personal use, free of charge.

You won’t be charged any excess baggage fees (including the oversized item fee) when you check in your assistive device if the assistive device is for your personal use. Devices must fit within the dimensions outlined in our checked baggage restrictions.

Assistive devices that you have checked in can be collected at the baggage claim area at your destination.

Carrying your assistive device on board

There are different arrangements depending on whether or not you need to use your assistive device on board during your flight. Please refer to relevant details below.

Items that do not meet the dimension requirements cannot be carried in the aircraft cabin. You may need to travel with an additional or alternative assistive device that can be carried in the aircraft cabin if your primary device does not meet our requirements. If you have any questions about your specific assistive device, please contact us.

If you're travelling with medication, please pack essential medication in your carry-on baggage, at least enough to last one week, so you can access your medication if you are unexpectedly separated from your checked baggage at any point.

Carrying your assistive device - not for use on board

You can carry your assistive device in your carry-on baggage, in addition to your carry-on baggage allowance, even if you don’t need to use it during the flight, if it meets all of these requirements:

the assistive device is for your personal use
you only have a total of two carry-on bags or items (including assistive devices) for economy fares and three carry-on bags or items (including assistive devices) for business class fares
you or your accompanying passenger are able to carry the assistive device and stow it in the overhead locker (or as otherwise directed by the crew)
the assistive device is secured in an appropriate bag and packed so that it can be easily removed from your carry-on baggage to be separately weighed by staff
each piece of carry-on baggage is no more than 10kg (including assistive devices)
the total combined weight of the carry-on baggage (including assistive devices) must be no more than 20kg for economy fares or 30kg for business class fares
your carry-on baggage meets all other requirements of carry-on baggage (including dimensions, weight and piece limits).

Please contact us at least 48 hours before your flight so that we can make a note of your assistive device in your booking

Any excess baggage that is not an assistive device will be charged applicable excess baggage fees.

Carrying your assistive device for use on board

If you need to use your assistive device during your flight, you can bring it in addition to your carry-on baggage allowance if it meets these requirements:

each assistive device weighs no more than 10kg
your other carry-on baggage (excluding your assistive device) otherwise meets all requirements of carry-on baggage (including dimensions, weight and piece limits)
you or your accompanying passenger are able to carry the assistive device and stow it in the overhead locker (or as otherwise directed by the crew)
the assistive device is secured in an appropriate bag and packed so that it can be easily removed from your carry-on baggage to be separately weighed by staff
you receive medical clearance if required
electric assistive devices that need to be plugged in cannot be used on your flight, battery-powered assistive devices can be used.

On your flight

You are welcome to use crutches and walking canes during your flight once the seatbelt sign has been switched off.

If you have received medical clearance approval from Jetstar to use your battery-powered assistive device during your flight, you are welcome to do so.

If you have not received approval from Jetstar to use your battery powered assistive device, it will need to remain stowed in the overhead locker or under the seat in front of you during the flight.

Travelling on flights to and from the US

For flights to and from the US, there is no limit on the number of assistive devices allowed to be carried for customers with a disability and the assistive devices do not count towards the carry-on or checked baggage allowances.

Medical clearance required

You’ll need to complete the medical clearance form if any of the following apply to you:

you need to travel with extra oxygen for use during your flight
you need to use your battery-powered assistive device (eg, CPAP) during your flight
you have a medical condition listed on the Medical clearance form.

Your medical clearance will need to be approved before the deadline on the form:

You must be able to use your assistive device on your own or travel with an accompanying passenger who can help you.

If you are travelling on a Jetstar Japan (GK) flight, you do not need medical clearance to use your battery-powered CPAP machine during your flight.

Insurance

We take all reasonable care with mobility aids and assistive devices, but please note our liability is limited for any damage caused during transit. You’ll need to make sure you have appropriate insurance to cover your device. For more information, please check our conditions of carriage.