At Alternative Airlines, we can help you request special assistance for your journey. If you or someone you're booking for needs extra help at the airport or during the flight, we’ll contact the airline on your behalf to arrange the right support.
You can request help with mobility, medical needs, boarding or carrying equipment. Once you've told us what you need, we'll work with the airline to confirm what's possible and share the details with you before you fly.
We also offer over 40 ways to pay, including flexible options like Buy Now Pay Later. And if you need help choosing a flight or understanding what's available, our Customer Service team is here to guide you.
With over 600 airlines to choose from, Alternative Airlines makes it easy to get the right support when you fly.
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Alternative Airlines offers special assistance for passengers who need extra support before or during their flight. This includes seating requests, medical needs, travelling with children, mobility support and other airline-specific services.
Share your requirements with Alternative Airlines and we’ll contact the airline to request the right support for your journey.
Some passengers may need to purchase an extra seat when flying. This could be to carry a large personal item in the cabin, such as a musical instrument, to transport extra baggage, or for comfort when a single standard seat isn’t sufficient.
The option to book an additional seat depends on the airline and the availability of side-by-side seating. Always contact Alternative Airlines with your request and we’ll confirm the airline’s policy and assist with the booking.
If you plan to bring your own portable oxygen concentrator (POC) when flying, it's important to know which models are approved and which airlines allow oxygen use on board.
These models are approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for use during flights:
Not all airlines allow oxygen use on board, even with approved devices. Always contact Alternative Airlines before booking so we can check the airline's policy for you.
If you have a medical condition or need specific health-related support, Alternative Airlines can help. Contact us before booking and we’ll work with the airline to understand what’s possible.
Carry essential medication in your hand luggage with a copy of your prescription, as you may be asked for it at the airport. A medical certificate may be needed if:
Dialysis machines can be taken as carry-on, but can’t be used during the flight. Supporting items like fluid bags must be checked. Let us know in advance so we can coordinate with the airline.
Rules around travelling with medical cannabis vary by country. See our cannabis and air travel guide for full details.
Let us know if you have any allergies before booking. We’ll help you choose an airline that can accommodate your needs and inform them of your condition once your flight is confirmed.
It’s strongly recommended to bring a doctor’s letter that confirms your allergy, especially if you carry an EpiPen. Some airlines may require this documentation before allowing use of the device.
Most airlines now offer a choice of allergy-friendly meals, including gluten-free and nut-free options. However, no airline can guarantee a completely allergen-free environment. Airlines like Qantas go further in their allergy policies, removing nuts from the cabin and training crew in anaphylaxis response.
Some airlines offer special services for children flying alone. If you’re booking a flight for a child under 16, contact Alternative Airlines and we’ll help you understand the airline’s rules and request the service on your behalf.
Most airlines charge a fee for unaccompanied minor services, which usually include:
Airlines often require this to be arranged at least 24 hours in advance. In aviation terms, an adult is considered anyone aged 16 or over, so any child under 16 planning to fly alone will need to follow the unaccompanied minor policy of the airline.
If you’re unsure about age rules or need help arranging the service, contact Alternative Airlines and we’ll walk you through it.
Planning to travel with young children or a baby? Alternative Airlines can help you understand airline rules and book the right flights for your family. For a full overview, see our guide to flying with children.
Airlines vary in how they charge for infants. Some apply a flat fee (for example, from £19 per sector with Aer Lingus), while others charge a percentage of the adult fare, often up to 20%. In some cases, paying for an additional seat may offer more comfort without a huge price difference.
Even if your infant doesn’t need a seat, most airlines still require a ticket to be issued in their name. Babies typically don’t need their own seat until they are between 1 and 2 years old.
Airlines have different policies when it comes to breastfeeding and storing milk. Most allow small containers of liquid and extra equipment like pumps to be carried on board. While some crew may offer help heating or cooling milk, others may ask for discretion.
Check out our guide to breastfeeding on a plane for tips, or contact us directly for help with choosing the most supportive airline.
Alternative Airlines can help you arrange personalised assistance for your journey, whether at the airport, during boarding or on board. Support services vary between airlines, so it’s important to let us know your needs before booking.
If you have a hearing impairment or speech disability, we can request assistance from the airline. This may include help at check-in, boarding support, and in-flight communication options.
Travellers with visual impairments can request tailored support throughout their journey. This might include escort services at the airport or help during the flight. Many airlines also allow assistance dogs on board - see our guide to flying with service animals for more details.
If you need help moving through the airport or getting to your seat, we can arrange mobility support directly with the airline. For more details, see our mobility assistance guide.
If you have a condition like Tourette’s or another neurological condition that may affect your travel experience, let us know and we’ll work with the airline to make the journey more comfortable.
Flying is generally safe during pregnancy, especially between weeks 13 and 28. It’s always best to check with your doctor before travelling.
Most airlines don’t require notification unless you’re over 28 weeks pregnant. Some may ask for a doctor’s letter later in pregnancy to confirm you’re fit to fly. If you're unsure, contact Alternative Airlines and we’ll check the airline’s policy for you.
We can also help you request a more comfortable seat, such as an aisle or one near the toilet, and arrange any support you might need at the airport.
If you're flying with crutches, let us know in advance so we can request the right support from the airline.
Crutches are allowed on all flights and don’t count towards your carry-on allowance. Depending on the airline, they may be stored in the cabin or placed in the hold.
Passengers using crutches won’t be seated in exit rows, but we can ask for early boarding or an aisle seat to make your journey easier.
If you'd also like wheelchair support at the airport, just let us know and we’ll help arrange it.
Whether you can fly with a criminal record depends on the country you’re visiting and the type of conviction. Entry rules vary, so always check with the embassy or immigration authority before booking.
Special assistance includes any service that helps passengers with additional needs during their journey. This can cover mobility support, medical equipment handling, extra seating, unaccompanied minor services, help for passengers with visual or hearing impairments, and more.
Alternative Airlines can help you request these services when booking your flight.
After choosing your flights, contact our Customer Service team with your specific needs. We’ll contact the airline on your behalf to request the assistance you need and confirm what’s available. It’s best to do this as early as possible.
Yes, you can bring medical devices on your flight, but rules vary by airline. Crutches are typically allowed in the cabin or stored in the hold at no extra cost. Dialysis equipment can usually be carried on board but not used in-flight. Contact us and we’ll confirm what your airline allows.
You may need a medical certificate if you’re over 28 weeks pregnant, travelling with a newborn under 28 days old, carrying certain medical devices, or have a condition such as a heart, lung or neurological illness. We can let you know if your situation requires one.
Most airlines allow trained assistance dogs in the cabin, but requirements vary. You’ll usually need documents such as identification, vaccination records and behaviour certification. Let us know in advance and we’ll guide you through what’s needed.
Airlines may provide extra support such as help during check-in, boarding, and communication during the flight. We can request these services on your behalf when you book with Alternative Airlines.
Yes. You can book a second seat for comfort or to transport large items like musical instruments or medical devices in the cabin. Seats must be side-by-side and available at the time of booking.
Many airlines offer a dedicated service for children flying alone. This can include help at check-in, supervised boarding, and escorting the child to their guardian on arrival. We’ll help you understand the airline’s rules and fees and can request the service for you.
Entry requirements depend on the country you’re visiting. Some countries, like the US and Canada, have strict rules for travellers with a criminal history.
It’s important to check with the embassy or immigration authority before booking. Alternative Airlines can help with the flight booking, but we cannot guarantee entry clearance.
Let us know about your allergy before booking and we’ll help you choose an airline that can accommodate your needs. While no airline can promise an allergen-free environment, we can help request allergy-friendly meals and cabin announcements if needed.
Carry a doctor’s letter and your own EpiPen, as some airlines may require documentation to allow its use.
