WCHR

--passenger requires wheelchair for distance within airport but is able to ascend or descend stairs

WCHS

--passenger is able to walk but unable to ascend or descend stairs

WCHC

--passenger is paraplegic/quadriplegic, requires an on-board wheelchair and must be carried to/from cabin seat

WCMP

--manual power wheelchair

WCBD

--dry cell operated wheelchair

WCBW

--wet cell operated wheelchair

Wheelchair Special Service Request (SSR) Codes
1. SSR WCHR - Can ascend steps and walk to seat
You are able to make your own way to the aircraft and into your aircraft seat but have difficulty travelling long distances at airports. You can ascend/descend stairs.
2. SSR WCHS - Unable to ascend steps, can walk to seat
You have reduced mobility but can make your own way to and into your aircraft seat but cannot ascend/descend stairs.
3. SSR WCHC
You use a wheelchair for mobility and may require a manual upper body lift or the use of an onboard aisle chair, to get to or from your seat on the aircraft. There are three options to choose from.
WCHC - unable to walk; can self transfer to seat (self reliant)* You are able to self transfer from a wheel/aisle chair to the aircraft seat independently. No support person, manual or mechanical lift is required.
WCHC - own support person to perform lift (own escort)* You require full assistance to transfer. Your own support person will perform the manual upper body lift. For domestic flights in New Zealand the support person/s may either fly with you or be available at the arrival, transit and destination airports.

For international flights an in-flight support person is required. Please choose this option. The lifting device is still available to you at New Zealand airports if required. Please advise our staff at check-in.
WCHC - require lifting device
For travel on jet services from September 1 2005 (within New Zealand only) You require full assistance (a manual upper body lift) to transfer. The Eagle lifting device is requested. Available on jet aircraft only from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Rotorua, Dunedin, Palmerston North and Queenstown airports.

For international flights this booking option is not available, as a support person is required in-flight. However the lifting device is still available at New Zealand airports if required. Please advise our staff at check-in.

When using the lifting device, the wearing of shorts or long trousers is recommended for privacy and comfort.

* The abbreviated wording in brackets above is inserted into customer bookings by Air New Zealand and Travel Agents. This wording does not appear in the online booking form.

Le persone che possono autonomamente salire e scendere le scale ma hanno bisogno di una sedia a rotelle per raggiungere l’aeromobile o l’aerostazione (WCHR)

Le persone che possono autonomamente camminare all’interno dell’aeromobile ma che non possono autonomamente salire o scendere da esso (WCHS)

Le persone che necessitano della sedia a rotelle in tutte le fasi dell'imbarco e sbarco e per muoversi all'interno dell'aeromobile (WCHC)

Le persone non vedenti (BLND)

Le persone non udenti (DEAF)

Le persone non vedenti e non udenti (BLND/DEAF)

Le persone in stato interessante che non sono entro le ultime 4 settimane prima della data prevista per il parto e che hanno una gravidanza senza complicazioni mediche (PREG)

Necessitano del nullaosta sanitario (il nullaosta è rappresentato dalle pagine 2 e 4 pertanto il MEDIF deve essere compilato per intero):

Le persone che necessitano dell’ossigenoterapia a bordo (OXYG)

Le persone che necessitano di barella a bordo (STCR)

Le persone che per motivi fisici e/o psichici non sono in grado di badare a se stesse (MEDA)

Le persone le cui condizioni lascino pensare che per affrontare un volo in modo sicuro abbiano assoluta necessità di una assistenza medica specialistica a bordo (MEDA)

Le persone in stato interessante, entro le ultime 4 settimane prima della data prevista per il parto o che hanno una gravidanza con complicazioni mediche (PREG)

Special seating requirements

Customers with the following keywords in their bookings will either be able to choose their own seat at the time of booking, or will be allocated a seat by BA before departure:

Special seating requirements
Keyword Passenger Description Seat Allocation
UMNR Unaccompanied Minor By BA
WCHC Customer is completely immobile. Requires a wheelchair to/from aircraft seat Can choose own seat
WCHS Customer cannot ascend/descend steps but is able to make own way slowly to/from cabin seat Can choose own seat
DEAF Customer is deaf Can choose own seat
BLND Customer is blind Can choose own seat
PETC Customer is travelling with an assistance dog By BA
INF Booking contains an infant Can choose own seat
CHD Booking contains child aged 2-11 years By BA
SMED Passenger has medical condition By BA / Can choose own seat

Customers who require wheelchairs

It is very important that the correct wheelchair request is actioned. Please note the keywords below and make sure that you request the correct one:

Customers who require wheelchairs
WCHR Customer can ascend/descend steps and walk to/from cabin seat but cannot manage long distances to/from the aircraft.
WCHS Customer cannot ascend/descend steps but is able to make own way slowly to/from cabin seat.
WCHC* Customer is completely immobile. Requires a wheelchair to/from aircraft seat.

*Note: The WCHC keyword will generate a request for a high lift vehicle for non-jetty served flights.

It is important that the relevant category is added to the booking even if the customer is taking his or her own wheelchair.
Customers with additional needs who have specific seating requirements

Current legislation states that a customer with a disability should be permitted to pre-book their seat on a first come first served basis and if their disability causes them to need a specific seat (e.g. bulkhead) we will meet their request. In addition to this a customer with a fused / immobilised leg is entitled to a bulkhead seat or a seat with sufficient legroom.

Some medical conditions, which would be categorised as disabilities, are not necessarily attributed with one of the keywords already agreed for pre-seating.

Customers with a disability requiring specific seating fall into the following categories:

1. Those who have informed us of their disability require the following keyword to be added DEAF / BLND / WCHC / WCHS.
2. Those who have a disability, which requires clearance to fly use the MEDA keyword to request MEDICAL clearance from BAHS.
3. Those who have informed us that they are travelling with an assistance dog in the cabin (PETC).

In order to be compliant with current legislation those who have informed us of a disability, which does not fit into 1 - 3 above but does require specific seating, use the SMED keyword to request a seat.

* WCHR - wheelchair - passenger can use steps and get to seat/cannot walk long distance
* WCHS - wheelchair - passenger cannot use steps or walk long distances/can get to seat
* WCHC - wheelchair - passenger is completely immobile

Note: Entering a wheelchair request as a meet and assist (MAAS) is not the appropriate request for this type of service need.

Can climb steps and can walk in cabin (WCHR)
Unable to climb steps, can walk cabin (WCHS)
Unable to climb steps or walk in cabin (WCHC)