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, breastfeeding pumps, 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 and non-collapsible walking frames/rollators. These items will need to be checked in.

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

Hiking sticks and poles

The rules for bringing hiking sticks and poles on board in your carry-on baggage vary depending on who you fly with. You must include them in your checked baggage unless the below requirements are met.

Jetstar Airways (JQ) flights: They must fold up and have rubber ends
Jetstar Japan (GK) flights: They must fold up, have rubber ends and be 60cm or less when collapsed/folded. Note. For those who have reduced mobility and use it as an assistive device, it can be used in the aircraft even if its length exceeds 60cm
Jetstar Asia (3K) flights and all flights departing from Singapore: They cannot be carried on board and must be included in your checked baggage

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 weight 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)
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)
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
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 weight allowance if it meets these requirements:

you only have a total of two carry-on bags or items (including assistive devices)
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
carry-on baggage meets all other 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)
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.

Breathing support machines (such as a CPAP or BiPAP)

You can use a CPAP machine during your flight. If you’re onboard a:

Jetstar Airways (JQ) or Jetstar Japan (GK) flight: You don’t need to complete a Medical Clearance Form unless you have a medical condition as listed on the form
Jetstar Asia (3K) flight: You’ll need to complete a Medical Clearance Form

On your flight

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

Battery-powered assistive devices are permitted on board if you have received Dangerous Goods approval (if necessary).

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 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.

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.