Part 382 Passengers with Disabilities

Xiamen Airlines provides services in accordance with the U.S. Federal Regulations Chapter 14 Part 382 "Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Air Travel" 

I. Scope of Services

We offer the following services, but we are unable to provide transportation for infant incubators or stretcher services:

1. Wheelchair services

Ground wheelchair: Intended for passengers who can independently navigate stairs and enter and exit the aircraft seat but require wheelchair assistance for long distances to or from the aircraft, such as crossing the apron, jet bridges, or going to the lounge.

Boarding wheelchair: Intended for passengers who cannot independently navigate stairs but can independently enter and exit the aircraft seat and require wheelchair assistance for long distances to or from the aircraft or lounge.

Cabin wheelchair: Intended for passengers who are completely unable to walk and require wheelchair assistance for boarding and disembarking the aircraft, moving between the lounge and the aircraft, and entering and exiting the aircraft seat.

2. Assistance for those requiring service dogs (such as hearing dogs, guide dogs, and assistance dogs) (limited to direct flights to and from the United States, excluding connecting flights).

3. Medical oxygen provided by Xiamen Airlines in the cabin.

4. Respiratory equipment, ventilators, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices, or portable oxygen concentrators (POCs).

5. Services for groups of passengers with disabilities who meet the flight conditions and have a number of 10 or more (including 10).

II. Advance Application Times

Please notify Xiamen Airlines in advance of your needs and complete the check-in procedures 1 hour prior to the flight check-in deadline:

Use of medical oxygen provided by Xiamen Airlines: Please apply at least 72 hours prior to the flight departure.

Use of your own respiratory equipment, ventilators, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices, or portable oxygen concentrators (POCs): Please apply at least 48 hours prior to the flight departure. Xiamen Airlines does not provide power supply for such devices.

Transportation of electric wheelchairs: Please apply at least 48 hours prior to the flight departure.

Severe visual or hearing impairment: Please apply at least 48 hours prior to the flight departure.

Group travel for passengers with disabilities (10 or more): Please apply at least 48 hours prior to the flight departure.

Service dogs: Please apply at least 48 hours prior to the flight departure.

III. Medical Certificates

If you fall into any of the following categories, please provide a medical certificate, which must be issued within 10 days prior to the flight departure:

1. If you require the use of medical oxygen during the flight.

2. If Xiamen Airlines has reasonable grounds to believe that your health condition will not allow you to safely complete the air travel without additional medical assistance on board.

3. For passengers who are restricted or prohibited from traveling by government authorities due to a serious infectious disease, or who are advised against traveling by a licensed medical professional.

Xiamen Airlines' assessment of a serious infectious disease includes the following two factors:

"Serious health consequences," such as respiratory issues, organ damage, neurological disorders, death, etc.; and

"Ease of transmission in the aircraft cabin environment," meaning it can be easily spread through casual contact in the cabin environment, i.e., through a passenger's general activities (sitting next to someone, shaking hands, talking to others, or touching common surfaces) and can be easily transmitted to other people in the aircraft cabin. For example, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndromes (SARS).

If we determine that you cannot be provided with transportation due to a serious infectious disease, we will process a full refund for you (regardless of the ticket's refund conditions), without charging any fees.

IV. Service Animal Requirements

Due to the implementation of the new dog entry quarantine requirements by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) starting August 1, 2024, and in conjunction with Announcement No. 5 [2019] of the General Administration of Customs - Announcement on Further Regulating the Quarantine Supervision of Pets Brought into China, we are unable to meet the transportation requirements of some dogs as stipulated by the governments of both China and the United States.

We will suspend the acceptance of "dogs not vaccinated against rabies in the United States" on flights to the United States. If you have already successfully booked dog transportation services or services for bringing a service dog into the cabin, we will assist you in processing a full refund (regardless of the ticket's refund conditions), without charging any fees. We will continue to communicate with the CDC in hopes of resuming the aforementioned services as soon as possible. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

The service dogs that Xiamen Airlines carries on direct flights to and from the United States are limited to guide dogs, hearing dogs, and assistance dogs (psychiatric service dogs). According to U.S. government regulations, Xiamen Airlines does not accept the transportation of emotional support animals. For the U.S. Department of Transportation's final rule on "Traveling by Air with Service Animals," please see: https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/us-department-transportation-announces-final-rule-traveling-air-service-animals

Traveling from Chinese Mainland to the United States

If you are traveling to the United States with a dog that has been vaccinated against rabies in the U.S., please ensure your dog meets all the following requirements:

1. CDC Dog Import Form Receipt: You can complete this form online.

Form link: https://www.cdc.gov/importation/dogs/us-vaccinated-high-risk-countries.html

2. Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination or a USDA-endorsed Export Health Certificate: These forms must be filled out by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by the USDA.

For more information, please refer to: https://www.cdc.gov/importation/dogs/us-vaccinated-high-risk-countries.html

3. U.S. Department of Transportation Service Animal Air Transportation Form and a Service Animal Relief Attestation

4. The dog must have a microchip that can be detected with a universal scanner for identification. The microchip must be implanted prior to the rabies vaccination; otherwise, the vaccination will be invalid. The microchip number must be included in all required forms and supporting documents.

5. The dog must appear healthy upon arrival in the United States.

6. The dog must be at least 6 months old at the time of entry into the United States.

Dogs vaccinated against rabies in the U.S. are allowed to enter the U.S. at any airport, land border crossing, or seaport, as long as the actual port of entry matches the airport listed on the dog import form.

Special Note:

When traveling, you must also carry the rabies vaccination certificate issued by the U.S.

The above information is a summary based on the official website of the U.S. CDC and is for reference only. For the latest and most accurate information, please be sure to visit the official CDC website before planning your trip to confirm that your dog meets the latest restrictions set by the CDC, to avoid any inconvenience or loss during your travel.

Traveling from the United States to Chinese Mainland

Please refer to the "Announcement on Further Regulating the Quarantine Supervision of Pets Brought into China" by the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China, to ensure the smooth entry of your service dog:

http://www.customs.gov.cn//customs/302249/302266/302267/2167536/index.html

http://www.customs.gov.cn//customs/302249/zfxxgk/zfxxgkml34/4558917/index.html

V. Accessibility Services and Assistance

(I) Storage and check-in of assistive devices

1. Assistive devices you bring must comply with security and dangerous goods air transport regulations.

2. If storage facilities and space are available in the cabin, they will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. If no storage is available in the cabin, assistive devices can be checked in for free. Devices brought into the cabin must fit in the overhead compartment or under the seat in front of you.

3. The cargo hold door dimensions of the aircraft operated by Xiamen Airlines on U.S. routes are 40 inches * 45 inches. If the assistive device you need to check in is larger than these dimensions, please contact us.

4. Wheelchair Check-in Requirements

1) Non-folding manual or battery-powered wheelchairs must be checked in as luggage.

2) Wheelchairs can be checked in at the check-in counter or at the aircraft door, and can be collected at the aircraft door or at the baggage claim area.

3) Bringing the following documents and tools to the airport will help us handle your wheelchair:

a. Instructions for the wheelchair and battery

b. Special tools required for assembling the wheelchair

c. For wheelchairs powered by lithium-ion batteries, a UN-approved test document proving that the battery meets the requirements of Part 38.3 of the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria is required.

4) If you are using a battery-powered wheelchair or mobility aid, please arrive at the airport special service counter/love desk at least 1 hour prior to the flight departure to check-in, so that we can arrange loading space for you in time.

(II) In the airport terminal

We have wheelchairs available for free use in every airport terminal. If you need wheelchair service in the airport, you can apply to Xiamen Airlines ground service personnel on site.

Due to the varying capabilities of each airport, we sometimes need to inquire about wheelchair services from the departure and arrival airports in advance, so we recommend that you state your requirements when purchasing your ticket so that we can do our utmost to ensure the services you need.

(III) In the cabin

1.Onboard seat armrests: We offer movable aisle armrests on some aircraft models to facilitate the entry and exit of passengers with mobility impairments. The number and location of seats with movable aisle armrests vary depending on the aircraft model.

2.Accessible lavatories: Many of our larger aircraft are equipped with lavatories for passengers with disabilities, depending on the size and structure of the aircraft.

3. Onboard assistance: This includes helping passengers get in and out of their seats during boarding and disembarking; assisting with meal preparation such as opening packages and identifying food items; assisting passengers in using the onboard wheelchairs (if equipped) to access the lavatories; helping passengers with mobility issues in and out of the lavatories, excluding lifting or carrying passengers; assisting with stowing and retrieving items, including mobility aids and other assistive devices; and communicating effectively and promptly with passengers who are visually impaired, hard of hearing, or deaf or mute to ensure they receive the same information provided to other passengers (such as weather updates, onboard services, flight delays, and transfer gate information at the next airport).

4. We regret to inform that we are unable to offer the following services: assistance with eating, assistance in the lavatory or at the passenger's seat for toileting needs, or medical services.

VI. You can obtain the "Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Air Travel" regulations from the U.S. Department of Transportation through the following methods:

1. Online: Visit the Aviation Consumer Protection Division website at www.airconsumer.ost.dot.gov 

2. By phone: You can call the toll-free hotline at 1-800-778-4838 (voice) or 1-800-455-9880 (TTY) within the U.S. Additionally, you can contact the Aviation Consumer Protection Division at 202-366-2220 (voice) or 202-366-0511 (TTY).

3. By mail: Send mail to the following address: Aviation Consumer Protection Division, C-75, U.S. Department Of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, West Building, Room W 96-432, Washington, DC 20590