Passengers with special needs

A traveller with special needs is considered to be a person suffering from a recent or chronic illness; a pregnant woman or woman who has recently given birth; and anyone who needs help to travel (wheelchair, oxygen supply, guide dog, etc.).

In accordance with general regulations, you should consult your doctor before travelling if you suffer from any of the following:

• Cardiovascular problems

• Chronic respiratory problems

• Severe anaemia

• Unstable diabetes or cancer

• If you take immunosuppressive drugs

And in general anyone whose situation poses questions for whatever reason about their fitness to travel. The following cases may require clearance from our Medical Service:

• Need for oxygen supply.

• Use of an independent incubator for premature babies.

• Inability to understand and carry out instructions.

• Patients with acute or chronic illnesses, or who are convalescing from surgical operations for whom travelling could cause aggravation or death due to their situation at the time of the flight.

Passengers with reduced mobility (PRM) are defined as people whose mobility is reduced by physical incapacity (sensory or locomotor), or intellectual deficiencies due to advanced age, illness or other disability when using transport, and whose situation requires special attention and the specific adaptation of the services available to all passengers.

Iberia works closely with the airport authorities in each country to facilitate your travel and ensure you have the safe and comfortable trip you deserve by law. Plan your trip in good time and bear in mind all your needs. You can get more information or request this service during the booking process, when you fill in your details by stating your need when opening the “Passenger requiring special assistance” dropdown menu, by filling in our form, or through our Customer Services.

To ensure that everything is ready when you arrive at the airport, we recommend that you request special assistance at least 48 hours before the departure of your flight.
You can check other details about regulations, transport of wheelchairs, assistance dogs and special services at the airport and on board.

CPAP machines (oxygen concentrators) and other similar respiratory devices are permitted on board. To avoid problems during the flight or at security controls, your equipment must have a label indicating its acceptance for use on aircraft by the FAA, or you must have supporting documentation.

These devices work with batteries and cannot be used with the electrical sockets on planes. If you need to take additional batteries, you must place them in your hand luggage individually packed to protect them from any accidental short-circuit or damage during transport.
For safety reasons, these devices may have to be disconnected during the flight and they will therefore only be accepted if their disconnection does not interfere with the user's health. Dialysis equipment that does not exceed 50 kg can be transported free of charge and in addition to your baggage allowance; this also applies to the necessary medical supplies for two days' dialysis doses.

You don't need any authorisation to board with these items, provided you are not going to use them during the flight. Otherwise, please fill in our form to request medical clearance.
We recommend that you pack your equipment securely to avoid damage when handling.

Passengers with reduced mobility can take 2 additional pieces of mobility equipment (wheelchairs, walking frames or other orthopaedic equipment) at no additional cost.

• In the case of electric wheelchairs powered by dry batteries, the terminals must be isolated and the power pack disconnected and attached to the chair. Chairs powered by wet batteries should always be loaded, stowed, secured and unloaded in an upright position, with the power pack disconnected and secured to the chair and with the terminals isolated.

• Mechanically propelled wheelchairs are considered to be personal items of the passenger and are not subject to excess baggage fees.

Fill in our form to get all the information you need about special services.
To ensure that everything is ready when you arrive at the airport, we recommend that you request special assistance at least 48 hours  before the departure of your flight.

An assistance dog is defined as a dog that has been individually trained to perform tasks to help a person with a physical, sensory, mental or intellectual disability.
You can take your trained dog as a service animal on board any of our flights free of charge and in the case of flights from or to the USA you can take as many as two.
The documents required for the dog (e.g. veterinary certificate and liability waiver) are the same as for any other pet.

Peope with reduced mobility may not be charged for transporting basic items to facilitate their mobility or any other essential aids in the case of disability.

There are no restrictions on travelling with a plaster cast, but for flights lasting more than 2 hours it must have been fitted at least 48 hours ago or it must be split lengthwise. You don't need clearance from our Medical Service. If you need to change your booking, you can do so free of charge in the seven days following the departure of your flight, either through our Booking Centre or your travel agency.

The Frequent Traveller Medical Card (FREMEC) offers temporary medical clearance to travel with any airline. This card can only be issued by the medical services of airlines that belong to IATA. It is issued at your request and based on a report from the medical service in question.

Although the FREMEC card may be used in place of medical reports and authorisations, please keep in mind that if you need special assistance the medical service of the airline you are flying with must complete the reports and authorisations.

For extra comfort during the flight, Iberia lets you purchase the seat next to you. Iberia can never guarantee or reserve the front seat. Request it by making your booking through the Booking Centre and purchase an extra seat at the same price as your fare.

If you made your booking through a travel agency, please contact them directly.

The INCAD (Incapacitated Passengers Handling Advice) is a document that ticket offices and agencies, etc. have to fill in when they sell a ticket to an incapacitated passenger who needs additional means (stretcher or oxygen, ambulance at origin or destination, etc.) or whose health could be affected during the flight, seriously affect the other passengers, or put the security of the flight at risk. This document contains relevant information about the passenger's condition and is the document the Iberia Medical Service uses to issue clearance to fly. It states the passenger's requirements (such as whether the presence of a companion or healthcare professional is required).