In keeping with the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) 14 CFR Part 382 (Code of Federal Regulations) non-discrimination rule, there are no number limits on passengers with disabilities. Passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility travelling alone are accepted for travel on Air Jamaica if they are self-reliant.
Self-reliance means a person who is independent, self-sufficient and is capable of taking care of all his/her physical needs during flight, during an emergency evacuation or during decompression. He/she requires no special or unusual attention beyond that afforded to the general public, except that he/she may require assistance during boarding and/or deplaning.
Non self-reliant passengers as shown below require a qualified capable attendant who will attend to the passenger’s physical and/or medical needs when the carrier determines that such attendant is essential for safety. Non self-reliant passengers are responsible for the attendant’s ticket.
(a) A person is travelling on a stretcher or in an incubator;
(b) A person who because of a mental disability is unable to comprehend or respond appropriately to safety instructions, including safety briefing;
(c) A person with mobility impairment so severe that the person is unable to assist in his or her own evacuation of the aircraft;
(d) A person who has both severe hearing and severe visual impairments if the person cannot establish some means of communication with carrier personnel adequate to permit transmission of the safety briefing.
COMMUNICABLE DISEASE
A passenger may be refused travel based on a carrier’s individual assessment and judgement that relies on current medical knowledge or on the best available objective evidence that the individual’s condition poses a direct threat and significant risk to the health and safety of others.
Such passenger may not be refused travel if provision of a medical certificate from the passenger’s physician states that the disease or infection would not under the present condition, be communicable to other persons during the normal course of the flight. The medical certificate shall also state any conditions or precautions that would have to be observed to prevent the transmission of the disease or infection to other persons in the normal course of the flight and be dated within ten days of the date of the flight for which it is presented.
If an action results in postponement of travel, that passenger will be permitted to travel at a later time up to 90 days after at the same fare and without penalty.
Medical Certificate
§ 14 CFR Part 382.23 (a) Except as provided below a passenger with a disability is not required to have a medical certificate as a condition for being provided transportation.
Except:
(b)(1) A passenger with a disability may be required to obtain a medical certificate to travel —
(i) Who is traveling in a stretcher or incubator;
(ii) Who needs medical oxygen during a flight; or
(iii) Whose medical condition is such that there is reasonable doubt that the individual can complete the flight safely, without requiring extraordinary medical assistance during the flight.
(2) For purposes of this paragraph, a medical certificate is a written statement from the passenger’s physician saying that the passenger is capable of completing the flight safely, without requiring extraordinary medical assistance during the flight.
(3) To be valid, a medical certificate under this paragraph must be dated within 10 days of the scheduled date of the passenger’s initial departing flight.
SEATING
Air Jamaica recommends that passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility who require wheelchairs be seated (preferably aisle seats) closest to the washrooms depending on the aircraft type. Minors, persons with disabilities and medical conditions, and the elderly, are allowed to use the lavatory closest to their seat regardless of their class of service. Special need passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility should always be asked, their seat preference and this will be honoured at all times possible. When travelling with an assistant, they will be seated in an adjoining seat.
Passengers with a disability affecting only one side of their body should be seated preferably in an aisle seat with the unaffected side of their body towards the aisle. This will facilitate their mobility in cases of emergency.
All JM aircraft LoveBird Economy class aisle seats have removable arm rests except the exit rows. Those in LoveBird Executive class are not removable.
SAFETY ASSESSMENT
At both Reservations and Check-in, in order to determine self reliance and the wheelchair type code to apply, the safety questions below will be asked with a direct response coming from the passenger.
(a) Are you capable of ascending/descending aircraft stairs?* This question is asked even if both stations use jet-bridges so as to establish capability.
(b) In the event of an emergency, will you be able to assist with your own evacuation?*
(c) Are you capable of emergency evacuation down a slide/raft?*
Note: *If such passenger is carrying an infant then questions (a)(b)(c) must include “while carrying the infant”, plus
*Are you capable of walking to and from the washroom while carrying the infant?
A passenger with a disability, with or without a wheelchair (WCHR), may carry an infant only if they are self-reliant, and may be accepted for travel only if an affirmative answer is given to the questions above.
A visually-impaired, or speech-impaired, or speech and hearing-impaired wheelchair (WCHR) passenger may only carry an infant if they are self-reliant as above.
A Special need passenger i.e. a passenger with a mobility impairment who is able to assist with his/her own evacuation and does not pose a safety risk, may be accepted for travel. If not, then a qualified attendant is required and such passenger will be described as WCHC.
Passengers with disabilities may only carry hand luggage within the carry-on allowance.
Whenever there is any doubt accepting a passenger with a disability, the Air Jamaica station CRO will escalate to our Medical Support Team to clarify and satisfy any areas of safety concern.
BOARDING/DEPLANING
Boarding and deplaning assistance is provided and every effort will be made to pre-board wheelchair and special need passengers. Online and Interline connections are provided to the connecting carrier’s flight.
HANDLING/DAMAGE
Air Jamaica will use its best efforts to handle wheelchairs with the utmost of care and will not dismantle or reassemble without written instructions from the owner.
STOWAGE
Assistive devices may be accommodated in the cabin if space permits and they can be stowed safely. If space does not permit, along with wheelchairs they will be priority loaded in the forward baggage hold ensuring its prompt return on arrival. An onboard wheelchair is not available on Air Jamaica.
Assistive devices and wheelchairs to be delivered to passengers upon disembarking at the aircraft door or stairs will be identified with a manual “destination tag”, or in the case of online connections the (Interline) “destination tag”.
A passenger who does not wish to make use of this facility may have their items checked in along with their other bags at the counter using automated tags and receive them in Customs with their regular baggage.
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Air Carrier Access ACT (ACAA)