Special requirements

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Malaysian Hospitality for all Fret not if you or anyone in your travel group has issues with mobility or fitness. We're here to make sure you have a smooth flight experience, regardless. Find more about our Special Requirements services.

Information and services for differently-abled travellers

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Special requirements Fret not if you or your travelling party have issues with mobility or fitness. We're here to make sure you have a smooth flight experience, regardless. Find more about our services for travellers with health or medical concerns.

If you or the person you are booking for is differently-abled and requires special travel arrangements, please let our Reservations team know so that we may assist you in making the appropriate preparations. Please call 1 300 88 3000 or, if you are outside Malaysia, +603 7843 3000 to make your flight reservations.

Differently-abled passengers with OKU (Orang Kelainan Upaya) cards will receive a special rebate on MH Domestic flight tickets – except for MASwings and promotional tickets.

At Malaysia Airlines, we are committed to giving our valued passengers the best service and experience, including wheelchair and other services for those who need assistance to move around. To make sure any passengers with limited mobility can board safely, easily, in an orderly way, and on time, we have improved our current operational procedures and policies on wheelchair requests. As of March 31, 2018, wheelchair requests must be made at least 48 hours before a flight through our Global Customer Contact Centre, Ticket Office, or a Malaysia Airlines-approved travel agent. Some passengers with mobility issues may need a medical release to fly. For more information, call our Global Customer Contact Centre at 1 300 88 3000 if you are in Malaysia or +603 7843 3000 if you are outside of Malaysia. Visit our Terms and Conditions page to learn more.

Malaysia Airlines provides newborn incubator services on all domestic and direct international flights lasting three hours or less. However, do note that infants on ventilators will not be allowed to fly. (Effective May 31, 2019) Please follow the steps below to reserve incubator services: Download the Medical Information Form here (MEDIF) . Send the completed MEDIF to Malaysia Airlines' MEDA Desk at [email protected] at least 10 working days prior to your scheduled trip. The MEDA Desk team will then call you to quote the relevant incubator fee, confirm incubator carriage acceptance, and aid with infant travel booking. Acceptance of newborns in incubators is subject to flight and seat availability, as well as medical services permission from Malaysia Airlines. When travelling with an incubator, a newborn must be accompanied by at least one (1) medical escort, paramedic, or nurse. The incubator will be housed in the cabin of the Economy Class. The incubator must be provided by a medical service provider and feature a battery-powered heating element. If the baby needs oxygen, the airline will only accept FAA-approved Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POCs) with continuous oxygen delivery. The POCs must be battery operated and have a battery life of 150% of the flight time. For their comfort and safety, we advise passengers to make their own preferred arrangements for ambulance transfers at both the departure and destination airports, as well as any medical equipment needed on board. For the use of any medical device aboard, permission from Malaysia Airlines' technical services is necessary. The MEDA Desk at Malaysia Airlines is open from 8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Monday through Friday (closed on Saturday, Sunday and Malaysia Public Holidays).

Malaysia Airlines permits Portable Oxygen Concentrator (POC) on its aircrafts with the approval of its Medical Service and Engineering departments, as of May 31, 2019. Acceptance Criteria Before accepting POC passengers, the following requirements must be met: Prior to purchasing a flight ticket, a person must receive MEDIF approval from Malaysia Airlines Berhad. All POC carriage aboard must be FAA certified and approved by Malaysia Airlines Berhad via MEDIF. The checked-in POC does not need to be FAA certified, but it does need Malaysia Airlines Berhad permission via MEDIF. POC intended for usage on board must be operational and in good working order. Only battery-powered POC are permitted on board. On board, only dry cell or gel batteries are authorised. POC must have enough battery power to last 150% the scheduled flight time. ** Passengers taking POC from home to the airport must pack spare batteries that will last 150% of the flight time to guarantee the batteries are sufficient during the journey. The device cannot be powered by the aircraft's power supply. A valid MEDIF must be shown at check-in. Before boarding, MAB reserves the right to assess/inspect the POC. The POC Passenger must demonstrate that the gadget is operational. ** POC for onboard usage will not be considered carry-on luggage for passengers. POC for transportation only (not used aboard) will be considered carry-on luggage for the traveller (batteries are to be removed and packaged separately from the POC). The POC Passenger must not occupy a bulkhead or exit row seat. A passenger wearing a POC must sit at the window seat to avoid tripping over mask tubing. The POC must be kept underneath the seat in front. ** This criterion does not apply to POC that are not intended for on-board use. Even if the equipment is not intended for use on board, the passenger must obtain MAB permission through MEDIF. Medical Certification Passengers must ensure that the Medical Information Form ( MEDIF ) is completed and signed by their attending doctor before submitting it to the MEDA Desk. POC rental from MAB-approved supplier: MEDIF must be submitted to the MEDA desk at least three (3) working days before departure for travellers travelling from Kuala Lumpur International Airport. If travelling from a location other than Kuala Lumpur International Airport, the MEDIF must be submitted to the MEDA desk at least ten (10) working days before departure. Personal POC Passengers departing from Kuala Lumpur International Airport or any other airport must submit a MEDIF to the MEDA desk at least three (3) working days before departure. Carriage for transportation Passengers departing from Kuala Lumpur International Airport or any other airport must submit a MEDIF to the MEDA desk at least three (3) working days before departure. * MEDA Desk hours of operation are 0830hr - 1730hr, Monday through Friday, excluding public holidays. Refusal of carriage We will not be able to take on board or transport a POC if: The passenger fails to check in with the POC on time. The POC is not in working order (cannot be turned on and off / indicators are not illuminated, etc.) The POC is in poor condition (tube cracked, leaking battery, etc.) The description on MEDIF does not correspond to the real POC. The POC has inadequate battery capacity or battery power. For safety reasons Malaysia Airlines reserves the right to refuse carriage of any POC on our flights until all health criteria are met. In the event that carriage is refused: We would like to advise that the passenger will be deemed responsible for all charges – including ticket changes, visas, transportation, lodging, and doctor's fees. Malaysia Airlines cannot accept liability or responsibility for any costs incurred as a result of refused carriage.

If you or someone in your travelling party needs to fly in a reclined posture due to a medical condition or injury, we've got you covered with our stretcher services. Our Economy Class cabin accommodates stretchers for all MH flights to, from, and within Malaysia. As of 1 September 2022, please complete the following when requesting stretcher services: Download the Medical Information Form (MEDIF) here. Send the completed MEDIF to our MEDA Desk at [email protected] at least 10 working days prior to your trip. The MEDA Desk team will then call you to quote the appropriate stretcher rates, confirm your travel eligibility, and book your tickets. Please note that travelling on stretchers is based on flight and stretcher availability, as well as clearance from Malaysia Airlines' medical services. Unless an exemption has been granted from Malaysia Airlines' medical services, a passenger travelling with a stretcher must be accompanied by a medical escort. To ensure their comfort and safety, we advise passengers on stretchers to make their own preferred arrangements for ambulance transfers at both the departure and destination airports, as well as any medical equipment needed on board. For the use of any medical device aboard, permission from Malaysia Airlines' technical services is necessary. The MEDA Desk at Malaysia Airlines is open from 8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Monday through Friday (closed on Saturday, Sunday and Malaysia Public Holidays).

Do note that for safety reasons, individuals with the following conditions are often regarded as unsuitable for aviation travel: Severe anaemia Severe instances of otitis media and sinusitis Myocardial infarction within 6 weeks of the onset of congestive heart failure Hypertensive disease with severe complications Peptic ulcer with recent haemorrhage within 3 weeks Post-operative cases (within 10 days of minor abdominal surgery or 21 days of chest surgery) Contagious skin disorders Mandible fractures with fixed jaw wiring Mental illness without escort and sedation Expectant mothers with a normal pregnancy of over 36 weeks Expectant mothers with numerous or difficult pregnancies after 32 weeks Within 7 days of the introduction of air body cavities for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes

When travelling with incapacitated passengers, their comfort is at the forefront of our thoughts. We will provide special consideration and attention especially during embarkation, disembarkation, flight, an emergency evacuation, and/or ground handling. To clarify, not all incapacitated passengers require medical approval before travelling. However, passengers with the following incapacities and/or impairments must be medically cleared by our Medical Services Department in order to fly: Those having any illness that is thought to be infectious and communicable. Those who, as a result of certain diseases or incapacities, may exhibit or develop aberrant behaviours or physical conditions that might jeopardise the welfare and comfort of other passengers and/or crew members. Those who may pose a risk to the flight's safety or timeliness, including the possibility of a diversion or an unscheduled landing. Those who need medical treatment and/or specific equipment to be healthy throughout the journey. Those whose medical condition may be exacerbated during or as a result of the flight. If you have any questions about the support given for specific circumstances, please contact our Call Centre at 1 300 88 3000 or +603 7843 3000 if you're calling from outside Malaysia.

If you wish to receive a copy of the US Department of Transportation's Part 382 regulation reference (Non-discrimination on the Basis of Disability in Air Travel) in an accessible format, here are several ways you can request it: Call the toll-free Hotline for Air Travelers with Disabilities: 1 800 778 4838 (voice) or 1 800 455 9880 (TTY); Aviation Consumer Protection Division: 202 366 2220 (voice) or 202 366 0511 (TTY) (TTY). Send correspondence to the Air Consumer Protection Division, C-75, United States Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building, Room W96-432, Washington, DC 20590. Make a request on the website of the Aviation Consumer Protection Division . Here you may also find the Regulation (EC) No. 1107/2006 of the European Parliament and the Council respecting the rights of differently-abled individuals and persons with impaired mobility while travelling by air.

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Infants and children

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Infants and children We provide special allowances and facilities including special meals and entertainment to keep your little ones calm and comfortable throughout their journey, whether they are travelling with you or on their own.

Are you flying with kids or making plans for them to travel on their own? Here is a guide to the special services we have for young flyers and how to make plans for them.

Having a child fly alone can’t be easy - for either of you. To ease your concerns, we are committed to providing your child with the finest flying experience possible at Malaysia Airlines. Our friendly ground staff and cabin crew will be with your child every step of the way, from check-in to boarding until they are safely in the hands of their guardians on arrival. Unaccompanied Minor (UMNR) service Available for kids aged 5 to 15 who are flying alone or in a different cabin class from an adult guardian. With this service, a member of our ground staff will take your child to the boarding gate and hand them over to our cabin crew, who will make sure they are comfortable throughout their flight. When your child gets to their destination, our ground staff will take your child through immigration and baggage claim, then hand them over to their guardian at the arrival gate. To ensure we can adequately provide for our young passengers, these are the age requirements for our UMNR service:

We advise that you talk to your child about the trip and let them know that they may always approach any Malaysia Airlines employee for any concerns or questions. To ensure that your child has a pleasant experience on board, please check that they are fit to fly and able to understand and follow our crew members' safety instructions. *The unaccompanied minor service is not available on flights with layovers of more than 24 hours, unless parents or guardians have made plans for the child to be picked up at the transfer point. However, the criteria under which children are authorised to travel may vary depending on the place of departure. As a result, we recommend that you contact your local Malaysia Airlines office for additional information. Booking restrictions This service must be requested when booking flight tickets. The unaccompanied minor service is available through the Malaysia Airlines Call Centre at 1300 88 3000 (inside Malaysia) or +603 7843 3000 (outside Malaysia; long-distance call fees may apply) or at the City/Airport Ticket Office. During check-in, you must complete the Unaccompanied Minor (UMNR) Handling Service Form for verification reasons. Please ensure that you have the following items before sending your child on a trip: Four copies of the UMNR form for direct flights. Six copies of the UMNR form for transited flights. The UMNR form may be downloaded here . This service is subject to availability of seats.

If you are flying as a family with infants or children, you can enjoy priority boarding. This gives you more time to store your belongings and ensure that your children are settled in comfortably before the main flow of boarding passengers enters the cabin.

We have tonnes of activities to keep your children occupied and entertained on an MH flight. AVOD Our Audio Video On Demand (AVOD) system – available on selected aircrafts – offers a rich selection of movies and cartoons to keep your children entertained. Food If a meal is served on your flight, our special Child's Meal (CHML) is packed with nutrition and flavour to appeal for children aged 2 to 12. The food served depends on the flight sector, so please get in touch with us ahead of time if your children have any special dietary requirements. To ensure your kids have the meal they want, please request this service at least 24 hours before departure through the Reservations/Ticket Counter/Call Centre. We’ll take care of the rest. Please dial 1300 88 3000 from within Malaysia or +603 7843 3000 from outside Malaysia.

We are delighted to cater to your little one’s energy, curiosity and playfulness. Our Play Rooms at selected airports are filled with DVDs, kids’ doodling tables, toys, comics, colouring books and more!

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Medical clearance

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Health and medical Your wellness is our top priority. Do ensure you have the right medical clearances before your trip. Also, please familiarise yourself with our protocols in the event of a medical emergency, plus tips on staying fit while flying.

To ensure the safety of passengers with certain medical conditions, we will require the passenger to get the necessary medical evaluation and approval before boarding. We also reserve the right to keep passengers with medical issues from boarding if it may jeopardise flight safety. If a cabin crew member believes a passenger is unwell prior to departure, the aircraft's Commander will be notified. On the Commander's recommendation, the passenger may be off-loaded.

The Medical Information Form ( MEDIF ) must be completed and sent to Malaysia Airlines Medical Assistance (MEDA) Desk at [email protected] prior to travel by passengers who require medical assistance along with an accompanying medical professional.

*Malaysia Airlines only rents Portable Oxygen Concentrator (POC) from its designated vendor. Any other rental POC with firms other than the designated vendor will be considered the passenger's personal POC. ** Malaysia Public Holidays apply. The MEDIF is only valid for 20 calendar days after a Malaysia Airlines medical examiner authorises the request prior to departure. Please contact the MEDA Desk staff at [email protected] for further information about medical clearance.

Infants in incubators A passenger being transported on a stretcher. Passengers who bring their own medical equipment such as portable oxygen concentrators, infusion pumps, and suction devices. Medical Portable Electronic Devices (M-PEDs) of this type must be FAA-approved. Passengers travelling with or after an illness, infection, or surgery in which the aircraft environment may exacerbate their condition or provide a health danger to those onboard. Here are several examples: Angina pectoris, or resting chest discomfort. Stroke and recent myocardial infarction (time period depends on severity of illness and duration of travel). Unresolved pneumothorax or recent severe chronic respiratory illness. Increased intracranial pressure as a result of bleeding, trauma, or infection. Recent surgery or injury that may have resulted in trapped air or gas, particularly abdominal trauma and gastrointestinal surgery, cranio-facial and ocular injuries, brain procedures, eye surgeries, and piercing eyeball injuries. Infectious illness that is either severe or acute. Mental health infirments. Decompression sickness after diving. Please contact [email protected] for additional details.

Full-term infants more than one week old. Premature infants who have achieved 39 weeks of gestation. Mothers with normal pregnancy. Pregnant mothers who have a regular pregnancy. Traveling after 32 weeks is not advised for mothers with multiple pregnancies. Traveling after 36 weeks is not advised for mothers with single pregnancies. New mothers, a week post-delivery. Mothers who experienced a caesarean section delivery. Do note that the passengers listed above must carry a note from their doctor certifying their eligibility to fly. This must be submitted at the check-in counter, where a Release Form must be completed.

(As of 24 June 2019) To assist our passengers in making an educated decision about whether to fly under the conditions described below, Malaysia Airlines wishes to communicate to them our clear and transparent rules for those with peanut and tree nut allergies. We advise travellers with nut or peanut allergies to first discuss their trip plans and determine their suitability for travel with their doctors. Passengers with peanut allergies are required to declare their sensitivity or allergy to peanuts or nuts at the time of booking. Allergy to nuts or peanuts does not require airline medical clearance. Environment: In its aircraft or airport lounges, Malaysia Airlines is unable to guarantee a peanut- or nut-free environment. Passengers are permitted to bring their own nut and peanut goods on board by the airline. The implementation of peanut-free or nut-free buffer zones, the removal of the availability of peanut or nut snacks, or the making of onboard statements forbidding the consumption of peanuts or nuts are not policies that Malaysia Airlines would follow. Meals: The airline makes no guarantees that the food supplied, including any special meals for passengers with nut or peanut allergies, is cooked in a nut- or peanut-free kitchen or hasn't been contaminated by nut or peanut products in any of the network's kitchens or catering facilities. If a passenger needs to be certain that their meals won't include any nuts or peanuts, they should request appropriate alternative meals (SPML) or bring their own food items that don't need to be chilled or re-heated on board. On many of our flights, peanuts and other nut snacks are available. Peanut sauce, which is served with satay in Business Class and Business Suite Class, also contains peanuts. If you are allergic to nuts or peanuts, we strongly advise you to: Tell us about your allergy when making your reservation, and ask for an appropriate replacement meal no later than 24 hours before take-off. Check in at the airport's check-in counter instead of other check-in options. Bring two (2) copies of the completed Peanut/Nut Release Form (which you can download here ) with you. Deliver one copy to the airport check-in counter. Keep the second copy on hand for staff verification at the airport or throughout the trip. You must give one (1) copy to the Malaysia Airlines departure gate employees for your connecting aircraft if you are checked through and connecting on Malaysia Airlines from another airline. Keep the second copy on hand for flight crew confirmation. Bring a doctor's action plan for anaphylaxis or an allergic response. Keep your prescription medications, such as EpiPens, close at hand throughout the journey by packing them in your cabin baggage. Make sure you and/or your travelling companion(s) have received EpiPen training. Notify a Malaysia Airlines employee (either on the ground or in flight) if you have allergic reaction symptoms. Bring your own food if you must be guaranteed of an allergen-free meal. Do ensure the food will not need to be chilled or reheated on board. Arrive early so you have time to clean the seat backs, lunch trays, and armrests. If you are allergic to nuts or peanuts, you must: Inform codeshare airline partners and connecting airlines of your allergy requirements and adhere to the airlines’ policies. Travel with an adult companion who is able to administer allergy treatment, if you are under the age of 16.

You do not require a medical clearance if you have a stable chronic condition that is well managed with medication (such as diabetes, hypertension, or asthma). We recommend that you take your prescription according to the timing in your departure city, and adapt only after you arrive at your destination. Your prescriptions should be transported in your cabin baggage, following the instructions provided under "Traveling with medicines”.

If you have diabetes, it's a good idea to include extra insulin or tablet medicine, extra needles, or syringes in your cabin baggage in case there are delays or breakages along the way. To avoid issues with security at the airport, you will need a doctor's note confirming your need for insulin. As diet requirements for diabetics vary widely, do let us know about your dietary needs on board at least 24 hours in advance.

If you use a pacemaker, please carry an ID card or note from your doctor stating that you do. If you have a stable cardiac condition, it’s safe for you to fly and to pass through an airport metal detector (although the metal in the pacemaker may set it off). However, do be alert to issues that may be of concern during airport security screening. Keep a distance from metal-detection systems. If there is a need to use a hand-held metal detector, ask the security personnel not to hold it near your pacemaker any longer than necessary. Ultimately, we can only offer general advice. For your safety, it’s best to speak with your doctor and study the manufacturer’s instructions to determine how sensitive your pacemaker is to metal detection equipment.

You should avoid flying shortly after diving to limit your chances of developing decompression sickness from low cabin pressure. We advise you to wait at least 12 hours after your last dive before flying. If you’ve had multiple dives or dives that need decompression breaks, this window should be extended to 24 hours. Divers using HBOT (hyperbaric oxygen therapy) for decompression illness will not be permitted to fly for at least 72 hours following their final HBOT treatment.

We suggest that you pack any medication you need in your cabin baggage. We also advise that you carry a copy of your prescription along with a note from your doctor in case the medication is misplaced and needs to be replenished; or if airport security requires written proof that it is for personal use.

Medical information

While all members of our cabin crew are certified to provide basic medical assistance, do be aware that limited medical care will be available during a flight.

Our cabin crew are trained in first aid, CPR protocols and the usage of first-aid equipment. In addition, they are trained to identify a variety of common medical conditions and administer the appropriate care.

The medical equipment aboard our aircraft comprises of: First-aid kits and an Automated Defibrillator (AED) for use by our cabin crew. Physician's kit for use by a physician.

Our cabin crew may request help from medical professionals among our passengers if there is a need to administer medical aid in-flight. Passengers who identify themselves as medical professionals in an emergency will be required to present the relevant identification to our cabin crew. To the extent permitted by law, Malaysia Airlines will indemnify the medical professional against any legal liabilities which may arise from any treatment aid they provide on board.

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