Passenger Information

Dangerous Goods

For the safety of all our passengers, Astraeus restricts certain articles from passengers' hand baggage and hold baggage, as well as strictly prohibiting certain items for carriage onboard the aircraft.

The following items are strictly prohibited from either hand or hold baggage:

  • > Flammable materials e.g. lighter/heater fuels, petrol, paint, thinners, non-safety matches and fire lighters
  • > Oxidising materials such as lighter or heater fuels
  • > Oxidising materials such as bleaches and peroxides
  • > Poisons such as arsenic, weed killers and insecticides
  • > Corrosives, alkalis and wet cell batteries i.e. filled car batteries
  • > Etiologic agents (bacteria, viruses etc.)
  • > Radio-active materials
  • > Firearms
  • > Explosives, fireworks, flares, toy gun caps, party poppers
  • > Compressed gases (flammable, non-flammable and poisonous) e.g. butane, and including culinary blowtorches, butane powered travel irons, camping or compressed gas cylinders, tear gas, mace or CS gas devices, butane powered gas curlers (prohibited unless a safety cover is supplied and is firmly in place) - separate re-fills are not allowed.
  • > Oxygen and chemical oxygen generators
  • > Magnetised materials
  • > Offensive and irritating materials
  • > Apparatus containing mercury may only be carried as cargo
  • > Cooking oil

What can you take in your baggage?

Hold baggage only

The following items can be stowed in hold baggage, but are strictly prohibited from hand baggage:

  • > Christmas crackers (only 1 pack per passenger, unopened in its original packaging)
  • > Toy or replica guns
  • > Catapults
  • > Razor blades
  • > Knives with blades of any length
  • > Scissors
  • > Nail clippers
  • > Hypodermic syringes (except for medical use during flight - doctor's certificate required)
  • > Darts
  • > Knitting needles
  • > Sporting bats, billiard, snooker or pool cues

Hand baggage only

The following items can be carried in hand baggage but are strictly prohibited from hold baggage:

  • > Mobile phones and radio transmitters - may not be used onboard any aircraft.
  • > Laptop computers - may be carried as hand baggage as part of normal allowance, providing that the laptop - including case - does not exceed the maximum hand baggage.
  • > Laptops may be used onboard the aircraft, except during take-off and landing, and must be used off-line). Please note: for safety reasons, laptops must be carried beneath the seat and not in the overhead lockers.
  • > Lighters (purchased in departure lounge only) and a single box of safety matches.

Sporting Firearms

Sporting Firearms and Ammunition Sporting firearms and ammunition are accepted subject to strict terms and conditions and approval must be obtained from Astraeus prior to the date of travel. Sporting firearms and weapons that have not been given prior approval will not be accepted at the airport. For further information please contact our Astraeus Airlines.

Catering - Special Meal Requests

Astraeus Airlines will do everything possible to accommodate dietary requirements.

We are able to offer the following meal choices:

  • > VLML - Vegetarian
  • > VGML - Vegan
  • > DBML - Diabetic
  • > GFML - Gluten free
  • > NFML - Nut free
  • > MOML - Moslem meal
  • > HFML - Hindu meal
  • > VSPML - Allergy (please specify)
  • > KSML - Kosher meal (whole charters must be booked in advance)

Special Assistance

Astraeus Airlines is pleased to assist in making appropriate arrangements for the provision of assistance for passengers with special needs.

Special Travel Needs

Astraeus Airlines are dedicated to ensuring a positive travel experience for our customers with disabilities. We encourage passengers with disabilities to notify Astraeus Airlines in advance to request special service assistance. That way, we can be better prepared to provide passengers with disabilities with the required services.

It's helpful to let us know:

  • > If you have a power wheelchair, and if so, what type of battery it uses. The most common battery types are dry or wet cell. Wet cell are considered hazardous material and are less common, they will have to be fully removed for the flight.
  • > What type of assistance you will need in boarding and deplaning the aircraft and if you will be travelling with a companion to assist you.
  • > If you will be travelling with assistive devices or medical equipment.
  • > If you will be travelling with a service animal.We accept service dogs only and you need to be sure that you have all the correct paper workfor the UK.
  • > If you are travelling with or recently had medical condition or communicable disease that may pose a direct threat to the health and safety of other passengers.

    It's necessary to call us 48 hours in advance if:

  • > To arrange assistance for deaf & hearing impaired passenger
  • > To arrange assistance for blind & visually impaired passenger
  • > To arrange carriage of assistive devices and medical equipment,POC's or medical oxygen
  • > You wish to transport an emotional support or psychiatric service dog in the cabin.

Individual Safety Briefings

Individual safety briefings are available to any passenger who requests them. Included in the briefing is an explanation of exit locations, as well as communication regarding the most efficient and appropriate way to provide assistance. Our crew will personally give safety demonstrations to passengers who are blind, visually impaired deaf or hearing impaired.

Onboard Wheelchair

Astraeus Boeing 757, on selected operations to the US, have an onboard wheelchair specially designed to transfer passengers, unable to walk to their seats and fits the aircraft aisles.

Stowage of Carry-on items

Assistance with loading and retrieval of carry-on items and small assistive devices stowed onboard the aircraft is furnished upon request.

Moveable Aisle Armrests

We understand the particular importance for our customers with disabilities to have moveable aisle armrests rests and enhanced comfort during travel. For that reason, Astraeus Airlines offers all its 757 aircraft with these facilities. Armrests are fixed at the bulkhead and exit rows.

Emergency Exit Seats

In accordance with Civil Aviation Authority safety requirements, seats in the emergency exit rows cannot be pre-allocated and assigned to passengers:

  • > Who are not reasonably fit and able bodied
  • > Whose mobility is reduced by reason of physical or intellectual disability, including passengers with hearing or sight is impaired
  • > Passengers that are unable to move quickly and may obstruct the exits

Passengers that must travel with medical certificates

A medical certificate is a written statement from the passenger's physician that must be dated within 10 days of the scheduled date of the passenger's flight.

Astraeus Airlines requires that a passenger with certain disabilities or known medical conditions have a medical certificate as a condition for being provided transportation in some cases.

Communicable Diseases

If Astraeus Airlines deems a passenger with a communicable disease or infection poses a direct threat to the health and safety of other passengers, they may:

  • > Refuse to provide carriage
  • > Require the passenger to provide a medical certificate stating that the disease at its current state is not transmittable during normal course of the flight, or if describing measures that would prevent transmission during flight
  • > Impose on that passenger a special condition or restriction (e.g. wearing a mask)

Medical certificate for communicable diseases should state:

  • > A written statement from the passenger’s doctor, stating:
  • > The disease / infection under present conditions would not be communicable to other passengers during the normal course of flight
  • > Must state any conditions or precautions that would have to be observed to prevent transmission to other passengers
  • > Must be written within 10 days of flight date

The following communicable diseases may pose a direct threat to the health and safety of other passengers. The following guidelines are recommended when deciding whether to travel:

  • > Chicken Pox Can travel 5 days after the rash becomes evident.
  • > Cholera As long as your symptoms have settled, you feel well enough to travel and the Public Health authorities in your destination country agree.
  • > Hepatitis A As long as you feel well enough to travel.
  • > Measles Can travel 5 days after the rash becomes evident.
  • > Mumps Can travel 5 days from when swelling started.
  • > Rubella Can travel 5 days after the rash becomes evident.
  • > Shingles Can travel as long as rash is not weeping or is covered.
  • > Tuberculosis Can travel if medical evidence states you are not infectious.
  • > Whooping Cough Can travel 5 days after starting antibiotic treatment or 3 weeks after the onset of symptoms if not treated.
  • > Yellow Fever Can travel once you are well enough and your treating doctor and the Public Health authorities in your destination country agree.
  • > Influenza/Flu Can travel once symptoms have resolved.

If you have or recently had one of the listed illnesses we ask that you contact us prior to flying, this list is non exhaustive and if you are in any doubt the airline should always be informed.

Medical Certificates

Astraeus Airlines may require a medical certificate if a passenger with a disability is an individual who:

  • > Needs therapeutic oxygen
  • > Has a medical condition that causes Astraeus to have reasonable doubt that a passenger can complete the flight safely

Respiratory Assistive Devices and Medical Oxygen

Therapeutic Oxygen:

It is important that a passenger who has a medical condition that requires oxygen while flying, contact Astraeus Airlines prior to travel so that arrangements can be made. Please give a minimum of 7 days working notice. Charges for oxygen are £250 per bottle per flying sector.

Click to download Medic Information Form (PDF)

Ventilators & Respiratory devices:

Safety is our top priority it is important that ALL medical equipment is cleared for use onboard.

Astraeus will permit the use of four types of electronic respiratory assistive devices:

  • > Ventilators
  • > Respirators
  • > Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines
  • > Portable oxygen concentrators (POC’s)

FAA approved portable oxygen concentrators that Astraeus will accept for use onboard:

AirSep Lifestyle, AirSep FreeSytle, Invacare XPO2, Delphi Central Air, Phillips Respironics EverGo, Inova Labs LifeChoice, Inogen One G2, Inogen One, SeQual Eclipse, Devilbiss iGo, Oxlife Independence.

If you need to use any medical equipment onboard, it is important that you contact us a minimum of 72 hours, in advance of your travel. You will be required to fully advise us of the following requirements. We may also require further information about your medical condition or the device:

  • > Any POC device must be labelled by the manufacturer confirming that it has been tested to meet requirements for medical portable devices set by the UK government or the US Federal Aviation Authority.
  • > The device must have weight and dimensions (length, width, height) to enable it to be used in the cabin consistent with UK safety regulations.
  • > You must carry sufficient fully charged batteries to power the device for 150% of the expected maximum flight duration, (taking into account any delays).
  • > Extra batteries must be packaged in accordance with applicable UK safety regulations.
  • > Any requirement for a medical certificate.

You should be aware that there is no electricity supply available on any of our aircraft for the purposes of powering medical equipment. This means all equipment must be battery operated. You must ensure that you carry sufficient batteries for the duration of your flights.

Batteries must be fitted to the device if being checked-in for carriage in the aircraft hold. Spare batteries must be individually wrapped and carried in hand luggage only.

For safety reasons ALL personal electronic devices need be switched off and stowed for taxi, take off, approach and landing, and during abnormal or emergency conditions.

Service Animals

  • > Service dogs are accepted in the cabin for qualified individuals with a disability.
  • > A service dog should sit in the floor space in front of the customer's assigned seat but cannot protrude into the aisles.
  • > Exit row seating is prohibited.
  • > Documentation may be required for an animal travelling to international destinations.
  • > Psychiatric assist dogs and emotional support dogs are also accepted in the cabin for qualified individuals with a disability if certain documentation requirements are met.
  • > Please request assistance to a relief area if needed for your dog.

Preparing your Guide Dog / Assistance Dog for Travel:

  • > On long flights, we suggest you bring a fleece/vet bed for your dog.
  • > You need to contact DEFRA if travelling to or through London, who require a faxed copy of all relevant documentation prior to travel.
  • > Refer to the government website of the country to which you’re travelling for any additional entry requirements or documentation that may need completing.
  • > Contact us at least seven days prior to travel to notify us that you wish to travel with a Guide Dog/Assistance Dog.
  • > Check in for your flight at an airport check-in desk in order to complete travel documentation and formalities prior to going through airport security.

For further advise visit, www.guidedogs.org.uk

Contact & More Information

Astraeus Airlines in conjunction with Iceland Express has a dedicated team just a phone call away and has a designated complaint resolution officer (CRO) here to help. Supplied courtesy of Open Doors Organisation: http://www.opendoorsnfp.org.

From the UK please call 0800 0148405, from Iceland please call 800 9704, from the US please call (number). Alternatively, fax +1 413 460 5995, email icelandexpress@opendoorsnfp.org or write to Open Doors Organisation, Suite 2551 N Clark Street, Suite 301, Chicago, IL 60614.

We aim to respond to all feedback within 7 days.

The United States Congress enacted the Air Carrier Access Act in 1986. The legislation prohibits discrimination in airline service on the basis of disability. "Part 382 - Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Air Travel: Final Rule" came into full force on 13th May 2009.

The rule applies to flights that begin or end at a US airport. "Flight" means a continuous journey in the same aircraft or with one flight number that begins or ends at a US airport.

A copy of Part 382 in an accessible format is available from the United States Department of Transportation. Passengers may contact the Department of Transportation by either:

1. For calls made from within the United States, by telephone via the Toll Free Hotline for Air Travellers with disabilities at 1-800-455-9880 (TTY)

2. By telephone to the Aviation Consumer Protection Division at 001 202-366-2220 (voice) or 202-366-0511 (TTY)

3. By mail to the Air Consumer Protection Division, C-75, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue., S.E., West Building, Room W96-432, Washington DC 20590

4. On the Aviation Consumer Protection Division's website: http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov

Astraeus Airlines, Astraeus House, Faraday Court, Faraday Road, Manor Royal, Crawley RH10 9PU Tel: 00 44 1293 819 800 Fax: 00 44 1293 819 832

USA Arrivals Procedures

US Agriculture:

  • > It is forbidden to bring perishable food items, such as fruit, vegetables, meat or plants into the US.
  • > Food brought with you or sold on the aircraft must be left on the aircraft.
  • > Also forbidden, are articles made from certain protected species of animals.
  • > If you bring in more than $10,000 in US or foreign currency you must declare the amount to customs on entry. Failure to comply will result in heavy fines.

US Customs Declaration:

Sample

  • > All single passengers / heads of families must complete a US Customs and Border Protection declaration, including US / Canadian citizens.

  • > Complete in ink and capitals, no corrections, mistakes or answers written on the wrong line are accepted, a new form must be completed.
  • > If you submit a form with mistakes, this will NOT be accepted and a passenger will be told to go to the back of the line and fill in a new form.
  • > Complete all relevant tick boxes on both sides and ensure the declaration is signed and dated. Passengers are to keep the form with their passport.

US Electronic System for Travel Authorisation - ESTA:

  • > It is now mandatory for all passengers visiting the US under the Visa Waiver Programme to apply in advance for travel authorisation under ESTA.
  • > Passengers under the Visa Waiver Programme will not be allowed travel unless they have a valid ESTA.
  • > Must be applied for at least 72 hours before travel and must be accurately completed, a mistake in entering the information could result in the passenger unable to travel.
  • > Once granted, an ESTA authority is valid for 2 years. If any of the traveller's personal details change on the passport a new ESTA must be completed.
  • > If the traveller already holds a valid visa for the US, an ESTA is not required.

US Advance Passenger Information System - APIS:

  • > Federal Requirements, the US Department of Homeland Security requires certain advance information about all passengers, including infants, travelling to and from the USA.
  • > Passengers who refuse to supply this information may be restricted from entering the USA.
  • > Airlines are required to collect this information from all passengers travelling to the USA and pass it on to the US authorities.

Visa Waiver:

Sample

  • > Passengers with a passport from a country which is part of the Visa Waiver Programme are required to complete a green visa waiver form.
  • > Complete in ink and capitals, no corrections, mistakes or answers written on the wrong line are accepted, a new form must be completed.
  • > If you submit a form with mistakes, this will NOT be accepted the passenger will be told to go to the back of the line and fill in a new form.
  • > Complete all relevant tick boxes on both sides and ensure the declaration is signed and dated. Passengers are to keep the form with their passport.

Passengers with a US Visa:

Sample

  • > Must complete the white immigration form.
  • > Complete in ink and capitals, no corrections, mistakes or answers written on the wrong line are accepted, a new form must be completed.
  • > If you submit a form with mistakes, this will NOT be accepted the passenger will be told to go to the back of the line and fill in a new form.
  • > Ensure the declaration is signed and dated.
  • > Passengers are to keep the form with their passport.
  • > US and Canadian citizens and returning residents aliens, aliens with an immigrant visa are not required to complete immigration forms.

© Astraeus Airlines 2009 | Website by Multi Creative Media