Medical / Assistive Devices : HAWAIIAN AIRLINES RULE

Definition / Restrictions

Assistive Devices are defined as:

• Any piece of equipment that assists a passenger with a disability to cope with the effects of his or her disability. Such devices are intended to assist a passenger with a disability to hear, see, communicate, maneuver, or perform other functions of daily life, and may include medical devices and medications.
• Wheelchairs, motorized scooters, walkers, crutches, Segways, canes, braces, portable toilets, and other device, equipment or items which assists passengers' with their disability.

Only non-medical devices may utilize on board power. Electric medical devices should have enough batteries to last 150% of the duration of the flight. Lithium ion batteries are never accepted on board for safety reasons (except CPAP.com battery packs).

Fee / Charges

There is no weight limit for assistive devices. Assistive Devices will be accepted as cabin baggage or checked baggage as determined by Hawaiian Airlines personnel at the time of check-in and will not count towards the baggage allowance, and will be carried free of charge. Any assistive devices packed within a suitcase with other items will not be exempt from any baggage charge.
Passengers should identify their assistive devices at the time of check in so that the airport representative can determine whether the transportation of the assistive device is free of charge. Only the primary Assistive Device will be accepted free of charge. Additional Assistive Devices not used as a primary Assistive Device will be subject to standard baggage rules.

Wheelchairs

To request wheelchair assistance at the airport, please call our Reservations Department before departure.

Batteries

For all battery operated wheelchairs, if the Assistive Device can be loaded upright, the battery must be securely fastened to the wheelchair, the cable must be disconnected, and the battery terminals taped so as not to be exposed. Hawaiian Airlines may ask passengers to bring instructions as well as their own tools to help disconnect the battery. If passenger needs special assistance handling an Assistive Device, they must bring the operating manual or written instructions for the device.
For Neighbor Island flights, our B717s will accommodate powered Assistive Devices, but they must be placed on its side for loading and the duration of the flight. Because it cannot be loaded upright, the battery must be disconnected. (Federal Regulations)

Wet Cell Batteries

Battery is removed and carried in a special container

Container must be leak proof

Battery is protected against short circuits and surrounded by absorbent material

Container must be marked "Battery Wet with Wheelchair" and labeled with corrosive labels

Boxes will be provided at check in and Hawaiian Airlines will pack the battery prior to loading.

Gel / Dry Cell Batteries (Non-Spillable)

Battery does not need to be removed if transporting in upright position, but wire/connection must be disconnected

Battery terminals are insulated to prevent accidental short circuit

Battery is securely attached to device

Permitted in cabin for operation of acceptable life support equipment only

Segways

Hawaiian Airlines will accept Segway Human Transporters which are used as an assistive device *and* operate on nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries only. Lithium-ion batteries are prohibited for transportation in the cargo compartment and will always be refused.

Portable Oxygen Concentrator (POC) / Ventilators / Nebulizers

Personal oxygen systems containing liquid oxygen are not permitted on board as carry-on or checked in baggage. Use of a satellite conserver in conjunction with a POC is not permitted onboard.
Approved POC's and Approved Ventilators / Nebulizers are accepted onboard Hawaiian Airlines flights as long as a label is attached indicating that it has been approved for use on the aircraft and meets the requirements. POCs not approved by the FAA and Hawaiian Airlines will not be accepted.
Respirators, ventilators, nebulizers and other assistive devices are permitted for use on-board the aircraft. These devices may be carried on the aircraft at no additional cost provided that for takeoff and landing they fit securely beneath the seat or in the overhead compartment. An additional seat may be purchased for large assistive devices.

POC Requirements

Requirements for use of POCs on Hawaiian Airlines aircraft:

1. Passengers using their own POC shall provide 48 hours advance notice, and check-in one hour before the check-in time for the general public. For first flights of the day, the customer shall check-in as soon as the designated airport opens.
2. Passenger must ensure that there is sufficient number of charged batteries for the duration of the flight, plus any unanticipated delays. In order to determine how many batteries to travel with, passengers should consider the posted flight time from departure to arrival, plus fifty percent (50%). Extra batteries must be packaged individually to protect from short-circuiting and physical damage. Batteries protected from short-circuit include batteries with recessed battery terminals and batteries packaged so that the batter terminals do not contact metal objects. Extra batteries must be packaged to meet standard packaging guidelines.
3. Passenger must ensure that the POC is free of oil, grease, or other petroleum products, and is in good condition and free of damage or other signs of excessive wear or abuse. Verification or appropriate maintenance of the POC must be provided by the passenger upon request.
4. During taxi/takeoff/landing, POC must be properly stowed under the seat in front of the user or in the overhead bin. If the passenger is using the device during taxi/take-off/landing, the passenger must be seated so that the device does not restrict any passengers access to an exit or the aisle. POCs may not be used when seated at an exit row or bulkhead seat.
5. Passenger may use the POC while moving about the cabin as long as the "Fasten Seat Belt" sign is not illuminated.
6. Passenger is restricted from using any power outlet onboard the aircraft.
7. If the POC is to be carried onboard the aircraft as carry-on baggage and is not intended to be used in flight, the POC's must be empty and free of pressure, if applicable. The battery must also be removed and packaged separately, unless the unit has at least two effective protective features to prevent accidental operation.
8. Passenger shall have in their possession a written statement from their attending physician dated within thirty (30) days of departure point that includes verification that the passenger is able to see and hear alarms and respond appropriately, verification of when the oxygen will be required (eg. portion/entirety of trip), and the prescribed oxygen flow rate identified in litres per minute (LPM) plus any additional information required.
9. Passenger may be required to be assessed and cleared for prescreening or fit to fly evaluation.

CPAP Machines / BiPAP / VPAP Machines

CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure), Bi-PAP (Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure), and VPAP (Variable Positive Airway Pressure) machines, commonly used for sleep apnea, but are also commonly used as a form of ventilation. PAP machines that are approved by the Engineering Deptartment are permitted for use while on-board the aircraft. CPAP and Bi-PAP machines may be carried on the aircraft at no additional cost provided they fit securely beneath the seat or in the overhead compartment for taxing, takeoff, and landing.

Approved Devices

Philips Resperonics BiPAP AVAPS

Non-Approved CPAP machines may be carried on-board, but are not allowed to be used in-flight.

Carry-on Procedures / In-flight

If a passenger wishes to use a CPAP aboard a Hawaiian Airlines aircraft, he/she is required to notify Hawaiian Airlines that they intend to bring a PAP machine onboard and the make/model of the device at the time of reservation and when they check-in for their flight, and that they are in possession of a statement from their treating physician dated within thirty (30) days of departure that states the required use of the device. The passenger should have the physicians statement on their person in the event of an emergency or if their unit should fail in-flight.

Batteries

CPAP machines require the use of a lithium ion battery. Only approved models of lithium ion batteries are permissible on Hawaiian Airlines aircraft. Currently, the only model of CPAP battery accepted for transport on Hawaiian Airlines is the CPAP.com battery kit.

Passengers are responsible to ascertain that they have a sufficient number of charged batteries for the duration of the flight, plus any unanticipated delays. Batteries must be packed individually to protect from short-circuiting and physical damage. Batteries protected from short-circuit include batteries with recessed battery terminals and batteries packaged so that the battery terminals do not contact metal objects.

CPAP Condition

Passenger must ensure the machine is free of oil, grease or other petroleum products and is in good condition and free from damage or other signs of excessive wear or abuse. Passengers must be able to provide verification of appropriate maintenance upon request.

Power Outlets Onboard

Hawaiian Airlines does not allow the use of on-board outlets by passengers.

Other Medical Items

Any assistive respiratory device or medical supplies, such as but not limited to syringes, nebulizers and other respiratory assistive devices, will be accepted as long as it is an approved device, meets the requirements for the device, and the passenger can present Hawaiian Airlines with the doctors note (unless otherwise stated below) that states passenger name, travel period and requirement for such items and that the passenger does not require extraordinary care in-flight because of the use of these devices:

Medical Narcotics

For more information about carrying medical narcotics, please contact TSA.

Needles/Syringes

Individuals who are carrying needles for medical reasons must have the accompanying medication and the original prescription label on the medication or the manufacturer's label identifying the medication with a copy of the prescription dated within 30 days of travel.

There is no restriction to the number of syringes or the amount of insulin the passenger can carry-on.

Insulin Pumps

Insulin Pumps will be permitted for use while on board the aircraft provided the insulin pump does not use a wireless glucose monitor. Insulin pumps using wireless glucose monitors cannot be used on board the aircraft, these devices may be carried on the aircraft at no additional cost provided they fit securely beneath the seat, in the overhead compartment, or an additional seat may be purchased for large assistive devices.

Incubators

Not accepted

 

 

 Source : Hawaiian Airlines