I. Eligibility

We are committed to providing necessary assistance to passengers with medical conditions.

II. Applicable Routes

This service is available only on flights operated by China Eastern Airlines or Shanghai Airlines and bearing China Eastern or Shanghai Airlines flight numbers.

For connecting itineraries, service requests must meet all of the following conditions:

(a) All segments are operated by China Eastern Airlines (MU) and/or Shanghai Airlines (FM), and the connection is on the same day;

(b) The itinerary consists of no more than two segments;

(c) The connection takes place at a major hub (Pudong, Hongqiao, Kunming, or Xi’an), and the minimum connection time is not less than the airport’s required minimum connecting time.

III. Carriage Policy

(I) Flight Risk Notice

Air travel may have the following adverse effects on passengers who are injured, ill, or recovering from surgery:

Low cabin pressure may cause expansion of gas within the body, which may result in compression, obstruction, or functional impairment and may lead to breathing difficulties;

Reduced oxygen levels may cause vasospasm and physiological compensation, which may increase the risk of thrombus dislodgement, embolism, ischemic infarction, edema, or bleeding;

Changes in cabin environment and unpredictable turbulence may contribute to post-operative complications or bleeding;

In the enclosed cabin environment, passengers with claustrophobia may experience anxiety or fear;

Changes in cabin pressure may increase cardiopulmonary workload and cause symptoms such as chest tightness or shortness of breath (e.g., in passengers with severe asthma or uncontrolled hypertension).

Passengers are advised to consult a physician in advance to confirm fitness to fly.

(II) Refusal of Carriage

As oxygen levels and air pressure at cruising altitude differ from those at ground level, air travel is not recommended for passengers whose condition falls into any of the following categories:

Passengers with infectious diseases that pose a direct health threat to other passengers or crew members.

Note: Diseases such as SARS and MERS, which spread easily in the cabin and may cause severe consequences, are considered direct threats. Common colds, which may spread easily but generally do not cause severe consequences, and HIV, which may have serious health consequences but does not easily spread in the aircraft cabin, are not considered direct threats.

Passengers who have recently undergone surgery where air travel may pose a health risk.

Note: Exclusions include passengers who have undergone minor cosmetic procedures (e.g., eyelid surgery), minor trauma procedures (e.g., cyst drainage, suturing), or a single limb fracture that has healed well and is deemed fit to fly.

Passengers experiencing an acute episode of a mental condition that may pose a risk to themselves or others, or may affect aviation safety.

Passengers with severe or critical heart conditions, such as severe heart failure, cyanosis, or myocardial infarction occurring within 6 weeks prior to travel.

Passengers with severe otitis media accompanied by Eustachian tube blockage.

Passengers with a recent spontaneous pneumothorax, or patients with neurological conditions who have recently undergone surgery related to pneumothorax.

Passengers with large mediastinal tumors, massive hernias, or intestinal obstruction.

Passengers with head injury, increased intracranial pressure, or skull fractures.

Passengers with recent mandibular fractures treated with metal wire fixation.

Passengers who have had poliomyelitis within the past 30 days, or with bulbar poliomyelitis.

Passengers with severe hemoptysis, hematemesis, persistent vomiting, or severe distress symptoms.

Passengers who are unable to care for themselves during travel without special assistance due to a physical or medical condition (including neurological or mental conditions).

Passengers whose condition suddenly worsens during check-in or boarding.

Other medical conditions that make air travel inappropriate.

(III) Carriage with Restrictions

For conditions including, but not limited to, those listed below, passengers must provide one of the following issued by a medical institution: a certificate confirming fitness to fly, a Certificate of Diagnosis, or a post-operative certificate, and must sign a Flight Risk Acknowledgment prior to travel:

Cardiovascular/cerebrovascular conditions, including but not limited to chronic coronary artery disease, acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, congenital heart disease, valvular disease, arrhythmia, and hypertension.

Respiratory conditions, including but not limited to pneumonia (cured or residual X-ray findings without symptoms), asthma (no recent symptoms and no infection), chronic bronchitis, and mild to moderate pulmonary hypertension.

Digestive system conditions, including but not limited to gastrointestinal bleeding (bleeding has ceased).

Blood disorders, including but not limited to anemia and stable sickle cell disease.

Ophthalmic conditions, including but not limited to repaired penetrating eye injuries (stable with no complications) and glaucoma.

ENT conditions, including but not limited to sinusitis and tonsillectomy (more than 10 days post-operation, fully recovered with no bleeding risk).

Medical aesthetic procedures, including but not limited to cosmetic/plastic surgery, eyelid surgery, or other minor aesthetic procedures.

If you fall into the above categories but are unable to provide the required documentation, and still choose to travel after staff have informed you of the risks, you must sign a Flight Risk Acknowledgment before travel.

If your condition significantly deteriorates during check-in or boarding and it is determined that travel may endanger your safety, we reserve the right to deny carriage.

IV. Application Channels

China Eastern ticket offices

Customer Service Hotline: 95530

Official Website / Mobile App / Mobile Website

V. Documents Required for Application

Application Form for Special Assistance Passengers

Flight Risk Acknowledgment Form

A certificate of fitness to fly, a Certificate of Diagnosis, or a post-operative certificate (any one is sufficient)

VI. Documents to Be Presented at Check-in (Printed Copies Required)

Application Form for Special Assistance Passengers (two copies)

Flight Risk Acknowledgment Form (two copies)

Original certificate of fitness to fly, original Certificate of Diagnosis, or original post-operative certificate (any one is sufficient)

VII. Requirements for Medical Documentation

A certificate of fitness to fly, a Certificate of Diagnosis, or a post-operative certificate (any one is sufficient) must be issued within 48 hours prior to travel by a Grade II (or above) hospital in China (or an equivalent clinic, medical center, or hospital overseas).

For documents issued by hospitals in China, both the hospital stamp and the physician’s signature are required. For documents issued overseas, the physician’s signature is sufficient.

A fitness-to-fly certificate or Certificate of Diagnosis must indicate that the passenger’s current condition permits air travel. A post-operative certificate must confirm that the surgery has been completed and that the post-operative condition is good or improving.

VIII. Check-in

Passengers are advised to arrive at the departure airport and complete check-in procedures at least 120 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time.

IX. Important Notes

If you need to use a portable oxygen concentrator onboard, please submit your request at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled departure time (refer to Information for Passengers Requiring Portable Oxygen Concentrators).

Passengers with mental illness must be accompanied by an adult when traveling by air.

China Eastern Airlines and Shanghai Airlines will review the application based on the scheduled departure date and contact the applicant between 09:00 and 19:00 daily. Please keep your phone accessible after submission. If you do not receive a confirmation call or message within 4 hours (excluding non-working hours), please resubmit your request or contact 95530.

Submission of the online application indicates that China Eastern Airlines has received your request; however, it does not constitute approval. Your requested flight may not be available due to service limits, seat availability, or airport operational constraints. We will contact you to offer alternative flight or date options. Approval is subject to our final confirmation.

X. Sample Forms

Certificate of Diagnosis | Application for Special Passengers | China Eastern Airlines Risk Notification Confirmation

Note: For iOS devices, press and hold the document link, select “Share,” and save it to the Notes app to download the form.