These passengers have a temporary or permanent disability that may keep them from taking care of their own physiological needs, from getting themselves out in an evacuation because of limited mobility, or from understanding and responding to safety instructions.
Because they aren't self-sufficient, they need medical clearance and must travel with a companion who can assist them for the whole trip — one companion for each passenger who needs assistance.
Companion requirements
- Be a legally responsible adult, at least 18 years old.
- Be able to communicate with both the passenger and the crew.
- Be able to assist the passenger during boarding, the flight and deplaning.
- Travel in the same cabin as the passenger.
- Be assigned a seat next to the passenger.
To learn about possible exceptions under local law, the company must contact LATAM Corporate support channels.
Seats
- These passengers can't sit in emergency exit rows.
- The companion must sit next to the passenger they're assisting.
- The front-row seat held for a passenger with a disability until 24 hours before the flight is for that passenger only. The companion can't take it and will be seated in another available seat alongside.
How to request it
- The booking must include the codes for the passenger's disability and, where it applies, the SSR MEDA code.
- In Brazil, the PNAE companion ticket has to be issued by LATAM, so request it directly.
Severe intellectual disability
Passengers with a severe intellectual disability or a health condition that prevents them from understanding and following instructions, communicating adequately or attending to their own physiological needs must meet the applicable medical and companion requirements.
Passengers may travel provided they are stable and a medical professional expects them to remain stable throughout the flight. This must be stated in the Medical Certificate issued by the treating psychiatrist or neurologist.
The medical clearance must be issued no more than 10 days before departure.
Severe mental health conditions covered
- Psychiatric conditions that can cause personality changes, behavioral changes or a distorted perception of reality — such as dementia, psychosis, schizophrenia, psychopathic personality, severe depression, microcephaly or cerebral palsy, among others.
- Conditions or intellectual disabilities severe enough to keep the passenger from communicating, understanding and following instructions, or taking care of their own physiological needs.
Seats
- They can't sit in emergency exit rows, whether they travel alone or with a companion.
- When the passenger travels with a companion, the companion takes the aisle seat next to the passenger with a disability.
How to request it
Passengers with the SSR MEDA code must arrange medical certification when making the booking or no later than 48 hours before flight departure. When entering the SSR MEDA code, the passenger’s specific condition or situation must be included in the free-text field.
Corporate considerations
If the ticket was purchased through the Corporate Portal, the request must be handled through LATAM Corporate support channels. If it was issued by a travel agency, the request must be handled directly with the issuing agency.