You are Here:
Home
> Policies & Procedures - Special Needs
1-877-432-DIRECT (3473)
Book Your Flight Now:
* Flights are Public Charters operated by USA Jet and XTRA Airways. Advertised airfares are one-way and include Federal Excise Tax of 7.5%. Airfares do not include September 11th Security Fees of $2.50 per person per enplanement, Federal Flight Segment Taxes of $3.50 per person per flight segment, Passenger Facility Charges (PFC) of up to $4.50 per person per enplanement, and a Convenience Fees of $10.00 per person each way. Bookings made at a Direct Air ticket counter location will not be assessed the Convenience Fee. Reservations made by calling (877) 432-DIRECT, will cost an additional $10.00 per person each way, reflecting the Convenience Fee, plus call center fee of $2.00 per person each way. Advance seat selection prior to departure requires a $5.00 service charge per person each way. Fares subject to availability at the time of booking, and are subject to change. A Standard Baggage Service Fee will apply for carriage of all checked luggage; surcharges may apply for excess/overweight checked baggage. See Operator-Participant Agreement for full information.
Special Needs
Assisted Devices
Per Federal Disability guidelines, the limitation of liability for loss or damage to qualified assistive devices for disabled (i.e. wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs, walkers, etc.) is "limited to the replacement cost of the item." Customers who have any questions are encouraged to call us at 1-877-432-3473 prior to departure for more information.
Respiration Assistance Devices & POC's
Respiration Assistance Devices transported or utilized aboard aircraft can pose a danger to passengers, crew, or equipment and is therefore regulated by the FAA, D.O.T. and Direct Air Company policy.
The following is an overview of the Direct Air policy regarding these devices during passenger operations.
• Carrier Provided -
- Direct Air leased Carriers do not currently provide medical use oxygen for continuous passenger use aboard the aircraft.
• Passenger Provided -
- Chemical Oxygen Generators - forbidden for carriage and use aboard the aircraft.
- Compressed Medical Use Oxygen (i.e. oxygen bottles) - forbidden for carriage and use aboard the aircraft.
- Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) - Accepted only if unit contains a manufacturer's label verifying its compliance with applicable FAA requirements for medical portable electronic devices or listed below in the Equipment Approved in Advance section of this policy.
- Other Respiration Assistance Devices (e.g. ventilators, respirator, continuous positive airway pressure machines) - Accepted only if unit contains a manufacturer's label (as outlined in the Device Labeling Requirements section of this policy) indicating its compliance with applicable FAA requirements for medical portable electronic devices.
Device Labeling Requirements
Respiration assistance devices that have been tested and been found to be in compliance with applicable FAA requirements for medical portable electronic devices may contain a manufacturer's label attesting to this fact.
If properly labeled, the language will read as follows:
• "This device does not exceed the maximum level of radiated radio frequency interference as described in the current edition of Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA) Document (DO) 160, section 21, Category M."
Procedures
Reservation Procedures
The following information must be provided during the reservation process upon inquiry from an individual concerning the use in the cabin during air transportation of a ventilator, respirator, continuous positive airway machine, or an FAA-approved portable oxygen concentrator (POC):
1. The device must be labeled by the manufacturer to reflect that is has been tested to meet applicable FAA requirements for medical portable electronic devices;
Note: If not labeled, the seven POC units listed in the preceding section will still be permitted aboard as Direct Air leased carrier's have obtained the required manufacturer's test data to validate the fact that they will not cause interference with the electrical, navigation or communication equipment aboard the aircraft.
2. The device to be used by an individual must be able to be accommodated in the aircraft cabin consistent with FAA safety requirements. The available area in the cabin for under-seat stowage is as follows: 11''wide x 18''deep x 10''high
3. The user must bring an adequate number of batteries, and to ensure that extra batteries carried onboard to power the device are packaged and protected from short circuit and physical damage in accordance with Section 3 number 6 and 7 of the POC Passenger Requirement portion of this policy.
4. The user must contact Direct Air (or its authorized representative) 48 hours before scheduled departure with specific POC device information.The user must request from Direct Air (or an authorized representative) the expected maximum duration of his/her flight in order to determine the required number of batteries for his/her particular ventilator, respirator, continuous positive airway pressure machine or POC.
5. The user planning to use such a device must check-in one hour before the general check-in deadline.
6. For POCs, the requirement to present to Direct Air at the airport a physician's statement (medical certificate) prepared in accordance with applicable federal aviation regulations as outlined in Section 3 of the POC Passenger Requirement portion of this policy.
Operational Procedures
In addition to the above listed requirements, Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POCs) may be carried on and used by a passenger on board our aircraft provided the following conditions are satisfied:
1. The device must not cause interference with electrical, navigation or communication equipment on the aircraft on which the device is being used.
2. No smoking or open flame is permitted within 10 feet of any seat row where a person is using a portable oxygen concentrator.
3. During movement on the surface, takeoff, and landing the unit must:
a. Either be stowed under the seat in front of the user or in another approved stowage location so that it does not block the aisle way or the entryway into row.
b. If it to be operated by the user, be used only at a seat location that does not restrict any passenger's access to or use of and required emergency or regular exit or the aisles in the passenger compartment.
4. No person using a portable oxygen concentrator is permitted to sit in an exit row or bulk head.
5. The Direct Air pilot-in-command must be apprised whenever a passenger brings and intends to use a portable oxygen concentrator on board the aircraft and the pilot-in-command needs to be informed about the contents of the physician's written statement, as outlined in section 3 of the POC Passenger Requirements of this policy, including the magnitude and nature of the passenger's oxygen needs.
6. Whenever the pilot-in-command turns off the "Fasten Sea Belt" sign or otherwise signifies that permission is granted to move about the passenger cabin, passengers operating their portable oxygen concentrator may continue to operate it while moving about the cabin.
POC Passenger Requirements Section 3
The user of the Portable Oxygen Concentrator (POC) must comply with the following conditions to use the device on board the aircraft:
1. The user must be capable of hearing the unit's alarms, seeing alarm light indicators, and have the cognitive ability to take the appropriate action in response to the various caution and warning alarms and alarm light indicators, or be traveling with someone who is capable of performing those functions;
2. The user must ensure that the portable oxygen concentrator is free of oil, grease or other petroleum products and is in good condition free from damage or other signs of excessive wear or abuse.
3. The user must inform Direct Air (or its authorized representative) that he or she intends to use a portable oxygen concentrator on board the aircraft and must allow the crew of the aircraft to review the contents of the physician's statement. The user must have a written statement, to be kept in that person's possession, signed by a licensed physician that:
a. States whether the user of the device has the physical and cognitive ability to see, hear, and understand the device's aural and visual cautions and warnings and is able, without assistance, to take the appropriate action in response to those caution warnings;
b. States whether or not oxygen use is medically necessary for all or a portion of the duration of the trip;
c. Specifies the maximum oxygen flow rate corresponding to the pressure in the cabin of the aircraft under normal operating conditions.
d. To be valid, the medical certificate must be dated within 10 days of the scheduled date of the passenger's initial departing flight.
4. Only lotions or salves that are oxygen approved may be used by persons using the portable oxygen concentrator device.
5. The user, whose physician statement specifies the duration of oxygen use, must obtain from Direct Air (or its authorized representative) the duration of the planned flight. The user must carry on the flight a sufficient number of batteries to power the device for the duration of the oxygen use specified in the user's physician statement, including a conservative estimate of any unanticipated delays.
6. The user must bring an adequate number of fully charged batteries onboard, based on the battery manufacturer's estimate of the hours of battery life while the device is in use and the information provided in the physician's statement, to power the device for not less than 150% of the expected maximum flight duration.
7. The user must ensure that all portable oxygen concentrator batteries carried onboard the aircraft in carry-on baggage are protected from short circuit and are packaged in a manner that protects them from physical damage.
Batteries protected from short circuit include those:
• Designed with recessed battery terminals
• Packages so that the battery terminals do not contact metal objects (including the battery terminals of other batteries).
When a battery powered oxygen concentrator is carried onboard aircraft as carry-on baggage and is not to be used during the flight, the battery must be removed and packaged separately unless the concentrator contains at least two effective protective features to prevent accidental operation during transport.
Note: If there is any question associated with the acceptance procedures/restrictions related to respiration assistance devices, ticket counter personnel are instructed to contact the Direct Air Reservations Center at 1-800-432-3473 prior to accepting these units.
Equipment Approved in Advance
The below listed Portable Oxygen Concentrator (POC) unites have been approved in advance, and may be carried on an used by a passenger onboard a Direct Air leased aircraft (regardless of labeling requirements):
• AirSep LifeStyle
• AirSep FreeStyle
• Inogen One
• SeQual Eclipse
• Respironics EverGo
• Delphi RS-00400
• Invacare XP02
Service Animals
• Per Federal disability guidelines, no limitations are placed upon carriage
of qualified "service animals" for the disabled in the passenger compartment.
• Direct Air does not charge a fee for the carriage of "service animals"
in the passenger compartment of its aircraft
• "Seeing-eye dogs" are the most common type of "service animal". Although uncommon,
service monkeys may also be qualified as a "service animal"
• "Service animal" may accompany a ticketed passenger, regardless of
disability status—for example, with a trainer or handler.
• Advance reservations are not required for the carriage for "service animals". However,
passengers are encouraged to call Reservations at 1-877-432-DIRECT with any questions
in advance of booking.
• Credible verbal assurance, ID tags, appropriate leashes, or original documentation from a training institute
may serve as proof of "service animal" status.
• "Service animals" must not obstruct aisles or exit rows.
• An emotional support service animal requires a current documentation from a Mental Health Facility stating a need for the emotional support animals and identifying what those needs are.
Note: Psychiatric, emotional, comfort animals, etc., require documentation in order to travel in the cabin as a service animal. Please see link below for more information.
Google: 14 CFR 382
Select: Part 382 - Electronic Code of Federal Regulation
Select: Subpart H Services on Aircraft, 382.117, Item E & F
