Medical equipment

Air New Zealand aims to provide safe and comfortable travel, for passengers with medical conditions requiring the use of special medical equipment.

Air New Zealand has some special equipment that can be installed on its aircraft for customer use. In other cases the customer will need to provide the required equipment. Equipment requiring an electrical outlet must be fitted with a US plug; please note that adapters cannot be used on board. Supplementary oxygen
Bringing your own medical equipment
Connecting medical devices to aircraft power
Portable Oxygen Concentrator (POC) / respirator / ventilator
Continuous Positive Airways Pressure (CPAP)
Nebulisers
Stretchers

Supplementary oxygen

• Complete parts 1 and 2 of the MEDA medical clearance form. See conditions requiring medical clearance
• Send the form to us at least 72 hours before you travel or 48 hours before if using your own portable oxygen concentrator
• Check in one hour before the final check-in time
• Pay any applicable charges
• Note that passengers are not allowed to use their own oxygen bottles on the aircraft

Please note that Air New Zealand will make every effort to have oxygen available on the flight requested, due to operational matters it may not be possible to fulfil the request. In these instances Air New Zealand reserves the right to request that you travel on a flight where oxygen can be supplied.

For safety reasons, private and hospital compressed-gas cylinders may not be carried or used on board Air New Zealand aircraft unless packaged as Dangerous Goods.

Domestic flights: For flights within New Zealand, we will refer you to an authorised oxygen provider wherever possible. They'll supply enough oxygen for the flight and any waiting time on the ground.

International flights: We can provide oxygen on most of our aircraft, but not on the ground or in transit - you'll need to make your own arrangements for that.

For passengers travelling internationally, Air New Zealand can provide airline oxygen whilst you are on board the flight for an additional cost. The standard supply is 2L/min via nasal prongs using an Avia Pulse oxygen bottle. The device can be set to deliver oxygen via a "pulse-dose" delivery system that senses you breathing in and electronically triggers oxygen to be delivered for the first part of each breath; this is the part of the breath which is the most important for maintaining oxygen levels in your lungs. This type of oxygen delivery is more than adequate for most stable conditions requiring extra oxygen to compensate for the effects of altitude. If you are unfamiliar with this device, or are unsure whether this will be adequate for your needs, we suggest you discuss it with your doctor. The device can also be set to deliver oxygen continuously where this is recommended. Your doctor will be asked to indicate the appropriate flow rate and setting for your medical condition. Your doctor is welcome to contact the Air New Zealand Paxcare with any queries about inflight oxygen; please contact + 64 9 255 7757 .

If you are travelling both internationally and domestically within New Zealand as part of the same journey on the same day, Air New Zealand will provide the oxygen from portable oxygen bottles at an additional cost.

There is no charge for customer supplied portable oxygen concentrators, however, restrictions apply to their acceptance and use.

The cost for Air New Zealand supplied portable oxygen bottles is NZD $150 per unit required.

Flow rates higher than 4LPM will require use of a fixed oxygen rig at additional cost.

Bringing your own medical equipment

If you bring medical equipment with you for use on the aircraft, it must have an 'aircraft-type approved' certificate or have been checked and approved by Air New Zealand Engineering. This includes any portable oxygen concentrator (POC), respirator, ventilator, CPAP device or nebuliser. If your own device is not suitable, we recommend you hire an approved device for your travels.

Please include details of any medical equipment on your MEDA medical clearance form. See conditions requiring medical clearance

For security screening, we recommend you carry a letter from your doctor saying you need to use the device on the aircraft.

If you wish to use your Portable Oxygen Concentrator (POC) / Respirator / Ventilator device during the flight medical clearance is required and it must meet these requirements.

If you wish to use your Continuous Positive Airways Pressure (CPAP) device during the flight medical clearance is required and it must meet these requirements.

Please note that despite Air New Zealand's approval of a device, the airline cannot be held responsible for any subsequent breakdown or operational failure of any medical equipment owned, supplied and used by customers on its aircraft.

Connecting medical devices to aircraft power

Safety restrictions apply to the use of aircraft power, so where possible it is better to travel with battery-powered devices and sufficient spare batteries (for packing instructions, see carry-on baggage restricted items).

In-seat power: In-seat PC power is not approved for medical devices, except for some continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices. We'll let you know whether your CPAP device is approved for in-seat power when we receive your MEDA medical clearance form. See conditions requiring medical clearance

Medical power outlets: Medical power outlets are not available on our domestic flights. For international flights, the power outlets may vary in voltage and availability depending on which aircraft you are on. Where possible, we recommend battery power.

The medical power outlets on our Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft provides 230 Volts at 50 Hertz, which is New Zealand's domestic voltage.

The medical power outlets on our Boeing 777 aircraft series provides 115 Volts at 400 Hertz, which is different to any domestic power supply. If you need to connect to one of these, let us know before you book and allow a minimum of two weeks for assessment.

Allow two weeks for assessment: To connect to our aircraft medical power on our Boeing 777 series aircraft, your device must have been assessed and approved by Air New Zealand Engineering, even if it has been approved by another airline. This can take at least two weeks as the assessment includes receiving written advice from the manufacturer or local agent, stating that the manufacturer approves the use of the equipment with a power supply of 115 Volts at 400 Hz.

Portable Oxygen Concentrator (POC) / respirator / ventilator

If you wish to use your Portable Oxygen Concentrator (POC) / Respirator / Ventilator device during the flight medical clearance is required and it must meet the following requirements:

• It must be an Air New Zealand approved model or meet FAA approval and have a manufacturer's label that indicates it meets those requirements
• The device must be able to be stowed in the cabin in a way that meets safety and security regulations. Maximum combined dimensions are: maximum weight of 7kg (15lbs) and maximum total dimensions (length + width + height) of 115cm (45")
• You must provide us with a minimum of 48 hours notice of your intention to use your device if you wish to use aircraft power and check in 1 hour prior to general check in
• Please note that aircraft power is not available on domestic flights

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