Cathay Pacific Special Assistance

Cathay Pacific would like to be informed in advance about any special need which a passenger might have. This information shall be provided at least 48 hours prior to the departure time of the flight. For some other special requirements such as inflight oxygen, there is a need to be informed about 72 hours before.

Pregnant Women

There is a requirement from Cathay Pacific for the carriage of medical documents which state the expected due date of delivery.

For pregnancies of more than 28 weeks, there is a need to carry a certificate from treating obstetrician stating whether it is a single or multiple pregnancy, estimated week of pregnancy, delivery date, information on whether pregnancy is without complications or with complications and that you are fit to travel. This certificate shall be obtained within 10 days of flight departure.

There is no need for such a certificate for passengers travelling up to 28 weeks of pregnancy.

For all those expectant mothers who are cases of uncomplicated multiple pregnancies, Cathay Pacific permits up to 32 weeks. Those with uncomplicated single pregnancies are accepted for air travel upto 36 weeks.

The MEDA form needs to be filled and prior clearance needs to be obtained by pregnant women having complications. This certificate shall be obtained 48 hours before departure of flight.

Infants, Children and Unaccompanied Minors

Even for Infants the carrier has three different categories of devices depending on their age. For infants less than 6 months of age, there is a provision of providing only a child restraint device (CRD). For those between 6 months to less than 2 years of age, there is provision of providing CRD, car safety seat carried on board by passenger or Child Restraint Seat (CRS) provided by carrier. Those who are more than 2 years of age can use either the aircraft seat belt, CSS taken on board by passenger or CRS provided by airline.

An adult is allowed to carry only 2 infants at the maximum. One of them must be 6 months of age and shall occupy seat after paying a child fare. The other infant has to travel by paying the infant fare

Cathay Pacific has bassinets for infants of specific dimensions and capable of holding an infant of weight 12 kg. Meals for infants are also provided in the cabin.

Unaccompanied Minor Service of the carrier has to be bought for children having age between 6 years to 12 years and travelling alone or with a person of less than 18 years of age. There is a need to make a booking for this service at least 24 hours before the departure of flight.

Cost of this service varies according to sectors of travel.

From HK to Africa, Middle East, Europe, North America, Southwest Pacific and South Asian subcontinent and between Dubai and Bangkok, the fee is HKD 500 or USD 64. And, for all other routes, it is HKD 200 or USD 26.

Disabled Persons

Disability Assistance is also provided by the airline for passengers having varied requirements. You get the services of a trained staff who would be able to assist you.

There is provision for inflight wheelchair service, lavatories are accessible and fitted with additional grab bar. There is no upper limit on the number of disable persons who can travel at a time with the carrier.

Wheelchair assistance is also provided to the passengers. There is a provision for keeping one wheelchair in the cabin stow. However, the own wheelchair of passengers have to be collapsible for it to be carried in cabin. Non-collapsible ones are taken in check in baggage.

Walking canes, frames and crutches can also be taken in the cabin. However, only those frames are allowed in cabin which are collapsible.

Service Dogs

Hong Kong has very strict guidelines with respect to the carriage of service dogs as import or transshipment. So, if you are dependent on a service dog and need its assistance in flights, you would be required to mandatorily have permit from AFC Department. Dogs are not allowed  in HK or allowed in transit from HK unless AFCD Special Permit has been obtained. And, there is an additional requirement of getting approval for carriage of Disability Assistance Dog (DAD) in cabin of Cathay Pacific.

You are required to fill form AF240 and PC102 for getting Special Permit. DAD certification is also required from reputable agency such as Assistance Dogs International. Rabies Antibody Test certificate is another important document which is required which certifies that the dog has been tested for RNATT at least 3 months before entry into HK. Form PC 103 or 104 have to be filled in this respect. Vaccination records and Animal Health Certificate (form VC-DAD) are also to be submitted. As can be seen, there are a number of documents which are required to be submitted and prior permissions obtained, if you are carrying a service dog on the Cathay Pacific flight.