Hello all, My family live in Oz & I had to cancel a trip planned last year due to a relapse & general feeling I couldn’t cope with the flights (having done the journey many times I know how horrible it is). However, I am now adamant I will make it out there whatever & have a few questions. Travel with Rebif - I have researched and understand the airline will need to be notified etc. & the drugs will be carried as hand baggage in the cool pack. Has anyone had any probs with the security bods? My nurse told me one of her patients had their drugs removed at the security area!!! Insurance - apparently there is a reciprocal healthcare arrangement in place between UK & Oz however I believe this will not cover pre-existing conditions so good insurance will be required. Any suggestions? Lastly, I have a most unreliable bowel & am exceptionally worried about how this will affect air travel, particularly as i dont even travel on buses any more. Do you think there is anything that can be prescribed to stop any unwelcome activity? I am worried about having to go & there being a massive queue, or the seatbelt sign being on & not being allowed to get up!! Short of wearing a nappy & not eating for 24 hrs, any suggestions? Experiences & suggestions would be welcome. Thanks Anne
Hi anne. I admire your pluck for such an adventure.
I`m sure it will be a wonderful trip.
I have thought about 3 or 4 hour flights, but been scared off with the thought of toiletting troubles.
I`ll look forward to reading your replies, from those that have done the journey.
When are you going? How exciting.
luv Pollx
Tell the airline about your Rebif and get a letter from your doctor saying you need the injections to show to security.# # Disability assistance
To help us provide you with the necessary service for your needs please let us know how we can help you. Here you will find all the important information you need about:
· Airport Authority’s responsibility within the EU (European Union)
· Mobility assistance at the airport and in-flight
· Assistance for visually impaired passengers
· Assistance for hearing impaired passengers
· Travelling with a Guide or Assistance Dog
· Other additional needs
Flights operated by our airline alliance or franchise partners may have their own restrictions so please contact us before you fly.
Airport authority responsibility within the EU
It is now the responsibility of the airport operators, within the EU to assist anyone with a disability during their time at the airport. This includes intellectual disability or impairment, age or any other cause of disability.
Airlines should provide the airport operator with advance information so that the appropriate service can be offered. To enable us to pass your request to them, where possible, please contact us 48 hours in advance.
Contact us
Mobility assistance at the airport and in-flight#### Mobility assistance provided at the airport
If you need mobility assistance to help you through the airport, please request it once you have made your booking, so that this service can be provided.
If you already have a booking with British Airways you can request mobility assistance through Manage My Booking.
Travelling with your own wheelchair
Once you have made your booking with us, please inform us if you are travelling in your own wheelchair or other mobility aid, so that we can make the necessary arrangements to help you make the most of your journey.
· We will store collapsible wheelchairs and mobility aids in the aircraft cabin, where space is available. If space is not available in the cabin, your wheelchair will be carried in the hold.
· You can take up to two mobility aids e.g. 2 wheelchairs will be carried free of charge in addition to the applicable checked baggage allowance.
· Wherever possible you will be able to stay in your own wheelchair/mobility aid to and from the aircraft side. If required you will be transferred to another wheelchair to take you to your seat on the aircraft.
· At airports where it is not possible to take your wheelchair/mobility aid to the gate we may have to take it at check-in and give it back to you in the arrivals baggage hall of your destination airport. If we do this we will transport you from check-in to the aircraft in another wheelchair, or buggy where appropriate and, on arrival, from the aircraft to the baggage hall of your destination airport.
· We need to know about the size and weight of your wheelchair so please have these details to hand when you tell us you are bringing it with you.
· If you already have a booking with British Airways you can request mobility assistance to help you through the airport via Manage My Booking.
Preparing battery powered wheelchairs for travel
It is your responsibility to provide sufficient information about your wheelchair/mobility aid and batteries prior to travel.
Dependant upon the type of wheelchair/mobility aid being used, a number of safety measures will need to be taken before the flight and you will need to provide information to enable airport staff to assist you. Typical examples of those safety measures to be taken are detailed below.
For wheelchairs/mobility aids with dry cell batteries or non-spillable (including gel) batteries
Protect the wheelchair/mobility aid from inadvertent operation i.e. remove the key, deactivate using the joystick, deactivate using an isolation switch or buttons.
If you cannot do this you will need to disconnect the battery and protect it against short circuiting by insulating battery terminals.
For wheelchairs/mobility aids powered by wet-cell (spillable) batteries
· Remove all connections from the battery terminals.
· Protect the battery terminals to prevent short circuits by covering the terminals with electrical insulating tape or plastic caps.
· Ensure that the battery(or batteries) is securely fastened and installed in the wheelchair/mobility aid battery tray.
To ensure safe carriage of your wheelchair/mobility aid it would be very helpful if you brought the manufacturers instructions (re: disconnection of batteries) with you to the airport.
Please note that you cannot travel with wet-cell batteries for any purpose other than for powering wheelchairs.
Companions providing assistance will be required if you are unable to independently:
· lift yourself
· reach an emergency exit unaided
· communicate with the crew on safety matters
· unfasten a seat belt
· retrieve and fit a life jacket
· fit an oxygen mask
The crew cannot assist you with breathing apparatus, eating, medication or going to the toilet, although they will help you get to and from the toilet when there is an on-board wheelchair available.
Facilities on board the aircraft
· On-board wheelchairs are available on all flights over 5 hours.
· Adapted toilets with handrails on Boeing 747 aircraft. There are no adapted toilets or on-board wheelchairs on flights of less than 5 hours.
· A number of seats with lifting armrests for ease of access.
· We will do our best to allocate you a seat that is most suitable to your needs. We will not be able to seat you in an emergency exit or cross aisles which form part of an emergency exit, due to safety regulations.
Contact us to request your seat
Visually impaired passengers
If you are visually impaired, please contact us so that we can make the necessary arrangements.
The assistance that we offer visually impaired passengers is:
· An escort to and from the aircraft.
· Individual safety briefings and assistance during the flight.
· Braille cards are available on some flights and assistance is given to visually impaired and blind passengers.
Contact us
Hearing impaired passengers
If you are hearing impaired, please contact us so that we can make the necessary arrangements.
The assistance we can offer hearing impaired passengers is:
· An escort to and from the aircraft.
· Separate briefings about safety procedures.
· Subtitles on the English version of the in-flight safety video.
· Induction loop facilities are available at most airports and on board through our in-flight headphones.
· Headphones compatible with standard hearing aids switched to the ‘T’ position.
Contact us
Travelling with Guide/Assistance Dogs
Certified Assistance Dogs for blind, deaf or disabled passengers travel free of charge in the aircraft cabin on all British Airways services within the UK.
In addition Assistance Dogs that are compliant with the Pet Travel Scheme may be carried, in the cabin of the aircraft on certain international routes.
Find out about the Pet Travel Scheme
Other additional needs
If you have any other additional needs that may require assistance from British Airways, please contact us.
Contact us
US rule for non-discrimination on the basis of disability
British Airways is covered by this rule for any flight that begins or ends at a US airport. A full copy of the rule is available for viewing on request at our airports serving the US.
An accessible copy of the rule can also be obtained from the US Dept of Transport directly using the following methods:
· For calls made from within the United States, by telephone via the Toll-Free Hotline for Air Travelers with Disabilities at 1-800-778-4838 (Voice) or 1-800-455-9880 (TTY)
· By Telephone to the Aviation Consumer Protection Division at 202-366-2220 (Voice) or 202-366-0511 (TTY)
· By mail to the Air Consumer Protection Division, C-75, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., West Building, Room W96-432, Washington, DC 20590
· On the Aviation Consumer Protection Division’s Web site - http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov
Hi anon, thanks for posting all this info. I am sure it will help Anne and anyone else going on long haul trips.
poll
I have nothing to offer on the long-haul aspects - no experience.
When I was taking Avonex, I always took a letter from my GP with me when travelling by air. Only once did they look at it, but it is reassuring to know it’s there.
Worth a chat with the pharmacist about Immodium for the flight?
Alison
x
Well, it’s not Rebif, but I’ve been through security (departure and destination) with a load of bottles of liquid morphine before, and nobody batted an eyelid. They were not for me, but for my father, who was too poorly to carry them himself.
We did have a letter with us, just in case of any difficulty, but staff seemed to be more than aware of things sick people legitimately need to take through, and didn’t even make a fuss that they were not in the luggage of the patient, but distributed amongst his travelling companions.
It produces a strange feeling of almost-guilt, walking through with what you know to be a controlled substance, but they accepted it as all in a day’s work.
Tina
x
Just to add, I travel several times a year with injectable s and only have ever been pulled aside once for it… I just showed them a letter from ms nurse and was waived through. I have been on long haul flights several times when I was suffering from, ahem, ‘bathroom issues’. I always try and book a seat close to the toilets… And on an aisle. Maybe call the airline and explain you need this due to disability, if you can’t book your seat online. I also always go to loo once I am on the plane, before takeoff. I have quietly and politely explained my stomach is feeling funny to passengers in the queue for toilets and never had anyone make a fuss. Also, I once spoke to the stewardesses ahead of time and explained my problem and I was allowed to use the loo for ‘emergencies’ when the seatbelt sign was on, as long as it wasn’t during take off or landing. None of this is ideal, but reduces the stress and possibility of something more embarrassing. I hope you have a great trip. J
Hi,
I went to Australia just over 12 months ago. I had a letter from the neuro about my rebif. I carried it with me along with passport etc. I always told them when checking in that I was carrying sharps in my hand luggage. I never had to get my letter out once lol!
I had wheelchair assistance and it was fab! I have my own wheelchair that I take ( I don’t use a wheelchair all the time and I walk with a stick) but I used the airport ones and put mine in the hold. I’m glad I did cos when we stopped in Singapore for our flight to refuel there was someone waiting for me with a chair and took me (and my family) through the passport control checks and to a toilet so I didn’t have the stress of trying to hurry from A to B,
Toilets on board were never a problem. These are big planes!!! I went with Qantas.
I had medical insurance that covered pre existing medical conditions. I’m glad I did cos I had to use it! And yes there is a reciprocal agreement but it only covers medical treatment. I had to have an amubulance and the agreement doesn’t cover that so we were billed $780 for my taxi ride with the blue flashing lights lol!
My insurance company paid out no problems at all. I used travel insurance medical and I’ve used them again.
I think I’ve answered all your questions lol
Hope you have a fab time
Heather x
Thank you everyone for your suggestions and experiences. I plan to fly Emirates and am somewhat concerned to discover that many of the drugs us folks have to use are categorised as Class A & B prohibited substances in Dubai! There goes the idea of guzzling some temazepam & sleeping for most of the journey. To be on the safe side I’ll get the dr to write a letter outlining all prescribed drugs I require. J, think I’ll alert the airline about the requirement for aisle seat next to toilets & ask stewardess about getting up when the seat belt sign is on. This would alleviate some of my worry. I shall investigate all insurance options. I’m hoping to go mid march so better sort myself out quickly. Thanks again Anne
Hi Anne,
I am planning the same trip but in reverse! I live in Australia and am planning a holiday in the UK so am dealing with some of the issues you are facing.
- Reciprocal Health… it will cover you partly for emergency medical treatment but NOT for pre-existing conditions so do make sure you have excellent travel insurance.
-
Bowel issues… get an appointment with a Continence Nurse before your trip and talk through your concerns with her. One solution that springs to my mind is getting an anal plug to use for the trip. The Nurse can talk you through this and show you how to use it and it really isn’t as gruesome as it sounds and can offer peace of mind as a temporary solution.
-
Rebif, sharps and injectables… with a letter from your doctor it should not be a problem. Also bring an original prescription for the Rebif with you as proof as well as the letter. Keep the letter and prescription with all your other travel documents at ALL times. You will have to carry the Rebif onto the plane with you and it MUST remain in its original pharmacy packaging at all times with the original dispensing labels on it and clearly visible. If this isn’t done you will be in trouble with our Customs. Do NOT change the packaging whatever you do!!!
-
Dubai stop over and pain killers and other meds including Rebif… Even though you aren’t strictly speaking a visitor to the country on a stop over you never know if your flight may be delayed eg as happened during the Icelandic volcanic eruptions. So assume the worst and follow the advice below
Medication
Individuals may bring medicine into the country for their personal use. Up to three months’ supply of a prescription item can be brought into the country by a visitor and 12 months’ supply by a resident if they can produce a doctor’s letter or a copy of the original prescription. Narcotic items can only be brought into the UAE in exceptional cases with prior permission from the director of medicine and pharmacy control. These guidelines relate to medicines brought in by an individual through an airport or border crossing and medicines arriving by post.
Visitors must take care to ensure that medicines and medications prescribed in their home countries are not restricted before travelling to the UAE. The UAE Ministry of Health’s Drug Control Department publishes a list of controlled medicines and medications. Visitors should contact the Ministry of Health drug control department to check whether their medication is on the controlled list, and needs prior permission for importation. The Customer Service Centre of the drug control department can be contacted by emailingdrugcl.csc@moh.gov.ae, by telephone on +971 2 611 7240 or by fax +971 2 632 7644.
-
Do contact the airline at the time of booking to let them know you have a disability and to arrange suitable seating and airport assistance with wheelchairs etc. You actually have to do this by law too as some seats can’t be occupied by a disabled person on a plane. You can’t sit near an emergency exit if you aremn’t fully able as you won’t be able to assist in opening doors etc in the event of an incident. I have alwasy found airport staff and the staff on the planes really helpful with my wheelchair, scooters etc.
-
If you have an electric scooter and are flying with it you will need to supply the Material Safety Data Sheet and it can take a bit of time to chase this up from the manufacturer if you don’t already have this. You HAVE to have this to be able to fill in the legally required paper work for the batteries. It nearly derailed one of my trips!
And one last thing, depending on what part on Australia you are coming too and the time of year, don’t underestimate the effect the heat will have on you. If you are up North any time of year take extra steps to stay cool and don’t come during the Wet season of December to March and if you are down South between November and March, post-pone your trip until June-October! And I am serious!
Have a wonderful time in our beautiful country and I’ll wave as our planes pass each other
B
A quick PS on the Rebif.
It doesn’t have to be carried in a cool pack. It will be fine for the flight unrefrigerated. But do ask the people meeting you at the airport to bring a cooler bag if you are arriving in March as it might get a bit warm once you are off the plane.
If refrigeration is unavailable, Rebif can be stored at or below room temperature (25°C/77°F) and away from heat and light for up to 30 days.
http://www.rebif.com/pages/starting-rebif/treatment_routine
You sure you can’t wait until April or preferably May? March can be awfully hot still . If you are down South you could still be dealing with temperatures in the mid to high 30’s and same up North combined with mind sapping humidity up there. But a couple of months later it will be down to low 20s in the South and the humidity will have dropped off in the North. Of course you may be heading out West in which case I can’t actually advise on temperature at all except to say HOT! Apart from during winter
B
Hi B, Thanks for all the info. I’m going to the Gold Coast, probably for 6 weeks. My folks will put me in their air-con room or the pool if I get too hot! I have not experienced humidity since diagnosis so don’t know how I’ll be affected. I can still take a bath without adverse consequences though. Customs - I presume I’ll have to declare all my meds on arrival, even those in pill form. Hope i can put the pills in checked in baggage because they take up a lot of room. Airport assistance - I walk ok unaided. However, the last time I did this journey I had been diagnosed with TM and thought I had pretty much recovered. I got on the plane fine, but could hardly walk after the 13 hr flight! I thought I’d take the folding stick with me just in case or a crutch. The Dubai to Brisbane leg is the longest, so I guess worse case scenario I could be wheeled off at the other end & handed over to my folks! Interesting comment about the bowel issues. I’d had a hysterical conversation with my mum about corks & bungs, but in all seriousness may investigate. When are you heading over here? Not for a while, I hope, or you’ll end up in sleet/snow/rain and wind. Thanks again. I need to get organising. Anne
I’m off to Australia in June 
I would advise NOT to put your meds in your hold luggage. If you can’t manage them all in your hand luggage, take at least a week’s worth or so in it, in case your luggage goes missing and takes a while to track down. Take a GP’s letter listing your precriptions - that will cover you for the refuelling stop according to my travel agent (although we’re stopping at Abu Dhabi which may be different to Dubai so please check).
I would strongly recommend using Special Assistance even if you can walk OK. All that standing in queues, never mind getting to and from gates and being stuck on a plane for a very long time, is enough to make able-bodied people knackered! The advantage of special assistance is that you normally get fast tracked, you often get away with an extra piece of hand luggage (for meds & walking stick, e.g.) and you have a seat the whole way MUCH easier! It needs to be booked in advance - typically 48 hours or more.
I would opt for imodium for the flight if you are worried about your bowels. Don’t take too much though as you’ll end up spending the first week of your holiday bunged up!
Have a fab time
Karen x
PS Please let me know if you learn anything useful that will make my life easier in June!
I have travelled on a flight that was 4 hours so a lot shorter. I have found the assistance excellent but you must book it when booking your ticket. I was taken to the plane in my own wheelchair and the wheeled in their smaller chair to my seat which was by the toilet. Cabin staff have always been brilliant and understanding. This was also equally good travelling on Ryan Air. Several insurance companies offer insurance as long as you haven’t had a relapse in them last 6 months/year. I took all my medication in hand luggage and my prescriptions. My husband has injections and has a letter from the hospital and it never has been a problem. I took aspirin (check with your GP) and wore flight socks. I have to say Special Assistance and the cabin staff were brilliant so use it and have a fab time. I wish I cold manage a long flight to Australia would love to go.