Travellers with special needs If you or a travel partner has special needs, you'll need to plan in advance to make your trip safe and avoid hassles.

In this article

Pregnant women Babies and young children

Disabled travellers Recent surgery

Many of the problems pregnant women might encounter on international trips are the same as any other traveller, including exposure to infectious diseases and availability of good medical care. There's the additional potential problem that air travel in late pregnancy may precipitate labour

Most airlines won't allow women who are more than 36 weeks pregnant to fly and may require a medical certificate of fitness to travel from week 28 onwards. You're at increased risk of thrombosis during pregnancy and should therefore make sure you walk around regularly while on the plane.

Babies and young children are more susceptible to problems with air travel. Children have narrower tubes between the middle ear and back of the nose, for example, which makes it difficult for pressure in their ears and nose to equalise when cabin pressure changes. For this reason, it's a good idea to bottle- or breastfeed young children during landing and take-off and to provide older children with something to eat or chew.

Airlines may not provide food that's suitable for your child, so pack essential supplies in your hand luggage. Some airlines do provide special meals for children if ordered more than 24 hours in advance, but it's worth taking snacks in case of error or delays.

New legislation and increased awareness are making travel easier for people with disabilities. The international symbol for disability, the wheelchair, is universally accepted.

In almost every country, transportation operators - whether coach, train or air - expect to assist you. Find out in advance how to get to the boarding point and ask the company to reserve suitable seating.

All travellers with special needs should confirm their travel plans in writing with the transport operator and hotel. Make sure you have a copy of this confirmation with you on arrival.

You mustn't fly if you've recently undergone chest or abdominal surgery. Any air trapped in a body cavity will expand, causing pain or damage to tissues.

This article was last medically reviewed by Dr Trisha Macnair in September 2006.
First published in May 2001.