Medical assistance

Before you fly

Medications and needles

Generally passengers are permitted to carry medications and associated supplies (including needles, syringes, and auto-injectors) for the treatment and control of their medical conditions onboard.

Regulations from different countries

The legal status of different types of medicine can vary from country to country and the carriage requirements are not consistently enforced. This applies to both over-the-counter and prescription medications.

To ensure a smooth transition through local security or customs, you are recommended to carry a letter from your doctor confirming that you have need of such medication and have them clearly labelled along with their generic names if possible.

Needles and syringes

Bringing needles on board may be subject to the local country’s safety and security clearance procedures and it is beyond the control of the airline. Please check with the specific country’s security and customs agencies you are transitioning through.

It is recommended that the syringes and injectable medications are carried together and be clearly labelled to identify your name and the medication OR that you carry a medical certificate or supporting letter from your doctor indicating your name and the medication. Used syringes should be disposed of in the ‘sharps box’, which is carried onboard all of our flights. Please ask the cabin crew for assistance.

For flights departing from Australia, hypodermic needles can be packed in carry-on bags but passengers must have proof that they are medically necessary. Please check from Australian Government’s travellers with special circumstances for more information.

Refrigeration of medication inflight

For hygiene reasons, we will not be able to refrigerate your medication. If you are bringing medication which requires refrigeration, you should pack them into a cool bag or vacuum flask along with dry ice in quantities of less than 2.5kg (5.5lbs) – all suitably packed to allow the carbon dioxide gases to evaporate freely. Please inform our airport staff that you are bringing dry ice onto the flight when you check in.

Ice gel packs (should not exceed 100ml for each pack and are subject to security control under the carriage of LAGs) may also be used inflight.