Some medical conditions require a fitness to fly certificate. If you consider yourself to have a condition that will require your G.P. to give authorisation for travel, please obtain a certificate from your G.P. stating you are fit to travel prior to contacting ourselves. If in doubt please contact us on 0871 664 0144.
First Choice Airways welcomes those who might require a little extra assistance due to age or disability, and our cabin crew will do all they can to make sure your flight is enjoyable. To ensure all the assistance you require can be arranged, we request that you check with us before booking your holiday. This is because facilities and services vary from country to country and airport to airport. If you have your own wheelchair, this will be carried free of charge in addition to your normal baggage allowance. Since a wheelchair is carried in the hold and collected in the baggage reclaim area, we advise that it is adequately insured against loss or damage since the airline liability is limited. All our B757 and B767 aircraft have aisle wheelchairs available for elderly or disabled passengers. Our 767 twin class fleet has fully equipped disabled toilets. Help in getting you off the aircraft and into the airport is available at most destinations. To make sure it can be arranged, please let us know you'll need it at the time of booking your holiday or flight. Alternatively, please telephone Customer Support on 0871 664 0144.
If you are totally immobile and need lifting into the aircraft seat we will be happy to do this for you. However, we will require a doctor's note before you travel to confirm that you will not need further specialist medical or nursing assistance.
First Choice Airways (formerly air2000) was the first leisure airline to introduce heart defibrillators, which are carried on all our aircraft. Our cabin crew are fully trained in all aspects of first aid and heart defibrillator use.
If anyone in your party has a disability or requires special assistance please ring the Special Needs Hotline on 0871 664 0143. Similarly if anyone uses a wheelchair, needs a fridge for medication storage, will need dialysis or for other queries please ring the team. Some people may require assistance because they have difficulty walking e.g. walking to gates at airports etc.
We're happy to fly expectant mothers who are up to 34 weeks pregnant at the time of the return flight. However, you should consult your doctor first and obtain a medical certificate. If you are more than 28 weeks pregnant at the time of your return flight airlines will insist on a medical certificate stating you are fit to fly. Please contact our Customer Support team on 0871 664 0144 or email fca.customercare@firstchoice.co.uk. Please also check your travel insurance policy for any restrictions which apply to travelling whilst pregnant.
As disabilities vary, we prefer to talk to people on an individual basis to find out their particular needs. We can advise you about coach transfers, flights, and give up-to-date information on the accommodation and the area.
We strongly advise clients with any form of walking difficulties or other needs not to travel on an allocation on arrival holiday. This is due to the fact that we are unable to determine where clients will be allocated prior to departure and so can not establish the suitability of the accommodation for your individual needs.
The chances are that you won't need medical assistance whilst on holiday. However, do check the health requirements for your destination before you go to make sure you are adequately insured.
Standards of health and safety do vary from country to country and the Department of Health publishes a useful booklet "Health Advice for Travellers" available free of charge from most Post Offices. For further information, please look at the Department of Health website.
If you are concerned about HIV and AIDS overseas and would like further information or advice, contact your local GP or telephone 0800 567123 for a copy of the "Travel Safe" leaflet.
Climates vary depending where you are and tropical climates are quite different to those experienced in southern Europe. If you are sensitive to climatic change, choose your holiday dates carefully taking particular note of any seasonal variations.
Health requirements change so make sure you have the most up to date information by checking with your GP well in advance of travel. Always take your GP's advice before buying any over the counter anti-malaria medication.
The Medical Advisory Service for Travellers Abroad (MASTA) runs a travellers' health line on 09068 224 100 (calls charged at premium rates) which will provide vaccination recommendations and other useful medical precautions for your destination. When you call please be ready to state when you will be travelling, your holiday destination and the length of your stay.
We will carry medical equipment in most cases free of charge by prior arrangement with ourselves. We will need to know the following: item, weight and dimensions. We would also strongly advise that separate insurance is taken out on valuable items.
First Choice Airways can provide oxygen for your flight. To pre-book, please call us on 0871 664 0144.
If you have a full leg plaster and you are unable to bend your leg 3 seats will have to be purchased from your tour operator before you will be able to travel.
If you have any other broken limbs, you must advise your GP of your travel arrangements in the case your cast or bandaging needs adjusting for your own comfort.
Yes, we can help with making arrangements with the various airlines, airports and organisations.
Please let us know as soon as possible if you need assistance. We need to inform the airline about your needs at least 14 days before departure, to make sure all the necessary personnel and equipment is to hand.
Buggies are like golf carts and transport passengers from one part of the airport to another. They are available at London Gatwick and only on arrival at Manchester. These cannot be pre-ordered and have to be arranged by passengers at arrival at the airport.
You need to speak directly to the airline 4 weeks before travel.
If you have a heart condition e.g. angina, you must carry a doctor's note with you whilst flying to say that you are fit to fly. This also applies to passengers who have had a stroke within the last 10 years. Similarly passengers who have metal implants must carry a doctor's note as they will set off the metal detector alarm at security.
If you are carrying a large quantity of medication or a class A drug such as morphine, you must have a doctor's note stating what they are and what they are used for. This is to save embarrassment and time when going through customs. We must also be advised if you are carrying hypodermic needles so we can add the information to the passengers booking for the airline.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), sometimes referred to as Economy Class syndrome, is a condition which has the potential to affect all travellers regardless of mode of transport and class of travel. The risk of developing Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) while travelling is extremely low. However any travel involving prolonged immmobility can result in DVT. This occurs when a blood clot forms, usually in the lower leg.
This is a serious medical condition, and needs treatment with blood thinning drugs or anticoagulants to prevent clots breaking off from the DVT and travelling to the lungs causing significant illness and, on rare occasions, death.
People at increased risk include those with a history of thrombosis, those taking an oral contraceptive pill or who are pregnant, those recently hospitalised, smokers, the obese, some patients with congestive heart failure and people with malignant disease. Dehydration may exacerbate the problem.
Here are a few suggestions which may help to make your journey more comfortable:
You can also contact Customer Support on 0871 664 0144 for information on the options available to enhance your First Choice Airways flight.
If you take any prescribed medication ensure that you take a sufficient supply to last the length of your holiday. It is also a good idea to take a copy of your prescription with you if possible.
We recommend that you do not use tap water for drinking, cleaning your teeth, making ice, adding to drinks or washing food that will not be cooked. Bottled water is readily available in most resorts. Ensure it has been purchased from a reputable source and the seal on the bottle is intact.
Stomach upsets and diarrhoea can arise from dietary changes and are often not related to contracting a tummy bug. Introduce yourself gradually to any exotic or highly spiced local dishes. It is always wise to take a number of food safety precautions:
Try to include a few essential items in your luggage. Even the most basic first aid kit should include insect repellent, antiseptic cream, plasters, cotton wool, tummy upset treatment and after-sun.
Strict quarantine laws exist in the UK with regard to the import and export of animals. Rabies is a serious hazard and can be contracted from all sorts of animals both wild and domestic. If you think there is any possibility that you have been infected consult a doctor immediately.
It is recommended that you consult your doctor or health care professional about all travel to tropical regions. This table shows the immunisations typically recommended for travel to our tropical destinations.
| Yellow Fever | Hepatitis B | Rabies | Malaria | Typhoid | Hepatitis A | Polio | Tetanus | Tuberculosis | Diptheria | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aruba | x | x | x | |||||||
| Cuba | x | x | x | x | ||||||
| Bahamas | * | x | x | x | x | x | x | |||
| Barbados | * | x | x | x | x | x | x | |||
| Costa Rica | x | x | x | x | x | |||||
| Antigua | x | x | x | x | x | x | ||||
| Dominican Republic | x | x | x | x | x | |||||
| Jamaica | x | x | x | x | ||||||
| Margarita | x | x | x | x | x | x | ||||
| Brazil | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | ||
| Mexico | x | x | x | x | x | x | ||||
| Goa | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | |||
| Kenya | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | |||
| Kerala | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | |||
| Maldives | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | |||
| Sri Lanka | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |
* Certificate required without vaccination
A healthy glow makes you feel great but do take care. Even when it's cloudy you can burn. Babies and children are particularly susceptible to sunburn and high factor sun protection is essential. The same is true of adults, particularly those with fair skin. The best advice is to stay in the shade, take things gently, wear a hat, keep your shoulders covered and avoid the heat of the midday sun.