Special Care

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Attentive support for the passengers who need it most — before, during and after the flight

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Special Care for Infants & Toddlers

Family travel made easier with thoughtful care before, during and after boarding

At Somali Airlines, we understand that travelling with an infant or toddler requires extra planning, time and reassurance. Our aim is to make your family journey as smooth, safe and comfortable as possible, while giving parents and caregivers the support they need throughout the travel experience.

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Plan ahead: If you require a bassinet, special meal, seating assistance or help with baby equipment, please make the request as early as possible. Availability may vary by aircraft type, route and operational conditions.

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Before You Travel

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Tell us in advance if you are travelling with an infant or young child and require special assistance.

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Request any available bassinet, preferred family seating or baby meal at the time of booking or through Somali Airlines customer service.

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Carry enough baby food or formula, diapers, wipes, medication, spare clothing and other essentials for the entire journey, including possible delays.

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Keep important baby items in your cabin baggage so they remain accessible during the flight.

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At the Airport

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Family Pre-Boarding
Where available, families travelling with infants may be invited to board early — extra time to settle into the cabin, organise essential items and prepare your child for the flight.
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Strollers & Baby Equipment
Our ground and cabin teams will guide you on handling and storage arrangements, subject to airport procedures, aircraft space and baggage rules.
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Seating Assistance
Our team will do its best to keep families seated comfortably and conveniently, subject to seat availability and safety requirements.
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On-Board Care

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Bassinets & Bulkhead Seating
Bassinet-equipped seating may be available on selected aircraft. Request in advance; subject to configuration, safety limitations and availability.
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Bottle & Feeding Support
Cabin crew can assist with warm water for bottle preparation where available. Please carry your child's formula, bottles, baby food and feeding items.
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Baby Meals
Where baby meals are offered, they should be requested in advance. Availability may vary by flight and catering station.
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Changing & Hygiene
Changing facilities may be available in selected aircraft lavatories. We recommend carrying sufficient diapers, wipes and changing supplies for the full journey.
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Cabin Crew Assistance
Our crew will assist whenever reasonably possible — settling your child, storing permitted baby items and making the journey more comfortable.
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Comfort During Takeoff and Landing

Changes in cabin pressure during takeoff and landing can be uncomfortable for young children. Feeding, drinking or using a pacifier may help some infants during these phases of flight. Always follow cabin crew instructions, especially when the seat-belt sign is on.

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Safety Comes First

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Follow all cabin crew instructions on how and when to hold or secure your infant during takeoff, landing and turbulence.

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Safety requirements may differ by aircraft and child restraint equipment. If you plan to travel with a child restraint device, contact us in advance for guidance.

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Keep aisles, exits and access to safety equipment clear of bags, strollers and baby items.

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If your child has a medical condition or requires medication or special assistance, contact us before travel so we can advise on available support.

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Recommended Carry-On Checklist

For your childFor comfort & convenience
nutritionFormula / baby food / snacksclean_handsDiapers and wipes
water_bottleBottles / feeding itemsapparelSpare clothing
medicationRequired medicationbedtimeLight blanket or comfort item
book_2Travel documentstoysSmall toys or quiet activities
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A More Supportive Family Journey

We want parents and caregivers to feel welcomed and supported when travelling with young children. Our airport and cabin teams will provide practical assistance within operational and safety limits, and we encourage families to speak with our staff whenever they need help during the journey.

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Important information. Services and facilities described on this page are subject to availability and may differ by aircraft, route, airport and operational conditions. Specific ticketing rules, baggage allowances, age restrictions and child-restraint requirements should be confirmed when booking or before departure. Need assistance before your flight? Contact Somali Airlines customer service or your booking office before departure so our team can review your request and confirm the services available.

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Special Care for Unaccompanied Children

Guidance for parents and guardians when a child travels without an accompanying adult

At Somali Airlines, the safety, comfort and well-being of children travelling alone are our highest priorities. Our Unaccompanied Child service is designed to provide attentive support from check-in through the journey and until the child is handed over at the destination.

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Eligibility and Age Requirements

child_care5–14
Unaccompanied Child service
Children in this age range may travel using the service, subject to the applicable travel requirements.
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Must travel with a guardian
Children below 5 years of age cannot travel as unaccompanied children.
person15–17
Optional service
Young passengers may also use the service when requested by a parent or guardian.
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Booking and Required Information

1
Complete the Unaccompanied Child Form
The form must be completed accurately and include the child's details, the parent or guardian's contact information, and the details of the person designated to receive the child at the destination.
2
Book on Somali Airlines-operated flights
The Unaccompanied Child service is accepted only on flights operated by Somali Airlines.
3
Provide complete contact details
Accurate contact information is essential so our team can coordinate the child's journey and communicate important flight information or changes.
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Service Fees & Group Travel

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An Unaccompanied Child service fee applies and covers the additional care, assistance and supervision provided during the journey.

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The fee is exempt for domestic travel on the routes listed in the source policy.

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For groups of unaccompanied children travelling without an accompanying adult, the applicable Unaccompanied Child fees apply. If the group is accompanied by an adult, the standard group travel policy applies.

flightMGQ Mogadishu flightHGA Hargeisa flightBSA Bosaso flightGGR Garowe
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Planning the Journey

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Where possible, select non-stop flights or itineraries with minimal connections to make the journey simpler and more comfortable for the child.

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Overnight connections are not permitted for unaccompanied children.

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When a child travels on separate travel documents and continues on a domestic sector operated by another airline, the service concludes at the international airport.

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The Journey, Step by Step

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STEP 01
Early check-in
Our airport team assists with check-in, verifies that the required information is in order, and helps prepare the child for the journey.
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STEP 02
Gate assistance
A representative accompanies the child through the airport process and to the departure gate, helping them feel informed and secure before boarding.
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STEP 03
Care during the flight
Cabin crew provide attentive support, check on the child's comfort and well-being, and assist with meals, entertainment and other reasonable needs.
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STEP 04
Parents kept informed
Parents or guardians may be updated about flight status or important changes affecting the journey.
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STEP 05
Arrival and handover
The designated person should arrive well before the scheduled arrival time; our team remains focused on a safe and orderly transition at the destination.
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If the child has dietary preferences or restrictions, inform Somali Airlines in advance so available meal arrangements can be considered. The child should also have access to the contact details of the parent or guardian and the designated receiving person, to support smooth communication and handover.

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Helping Your Child Prepare

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Explain the journey to your child in simple terms so they know what to expect at check-in, boarding, during the flight and on arrival.

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A familiar comfort item, such as a small toy or blanket, may help the child feel more relaxed during the journey.

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Make sure all parent, guardian and receiving-person contact details provided to the airline are accurate and current.

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Our Commitment to Young Travellers

Somali Airlines personnel responsible for unaccompanied children are expected to handle each journey professionally and compassionately. Our goal is to give parents and guardians confidence that their child is supported throughout the travel experience.

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Important: The Unaccompanied Child service should be arranged in advance. Travel acceptance remains subject to the child meeting the applicable age, documentation, itinerary and operational requirements described above.

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Special Care for Passengers with Reduced Mobility

Assistance designed to make every stage of your journey safer, easier and more comfortable

At Somali Airlines, we are committed to supporting passengers who require additional assistance due to reduced mobility, a medical condition, disability or neurodevelopmental condition. Assistance may be provided during airport handling, boarding and disembarkation, the flight itself, and where necessary during an emergency.

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Requesting Assistance

Wheelchair assistance is provided free of charge. To help us make the appropriate arrangements, passengers are encouraged to request assistance as early as possible and, where a personal wheelchair or mobility aid will be carried, at least 48 hours before departure. When making your request, please provide enough information for our team to understand the assistance you require and to confirm the arrangements available for your flight.

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24-hour contact centre · WhatsApp
+252 770 393939
Wheelchair assistance is free of charge. Notify us at least 48 hours before departure when travelling with a personal mobility aid.
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Travelling with Your Own Wheelchair or Mobility Aid

You may travel with your own wheelchair, mobility aid or assistive device free of charge. Please notify Somali Airlines at least 48 hours before departure so that appropriate handling arrangements can be made. A collapsible or dismountable manual wheelchair may be accepted as hand baggage when it can be accommodated within the applicable aircraft limits. Other wheelchairs or mobility aids will be carried as checked baggage; after check-in, an airport wheelchair may be made available for your use, subject to the arrangements confirmed for your journey.

Aircraft typeMaximum dimensions (L × W × H)Maximum weight
flightBoeing 737-300 / 400112 × 113 × 85 cmNo maximum specified
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Travelling Independently

Subject to applicable law, a passenger with reduced mobility may travel without a personal care attendant when the passenger is self-supporting on board and is able to meet the safety requirements applicable to the journey. For the purpose of this policy, being self-supporting includes being able to:

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Eat and drink
Without personal assistance.
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Manage medication
Administer personal medication without assistance from the cabin crew.
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Use the lavatory
Cabin crew assistance is limited to bringing an onboard wheelchair, where available, and moving it to and from the lavatory door. The passenger must transfer in and out without physical lifting assistance from the crew.
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Follow safety instructions
And, where required by applicable rules, be sufficiently self-supporting in an emergency evacuation.
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If a passenger cannot perform the essential personal-care functions above independently, the passenger must travel with a companion or personal care attendant who is able to provide the required assistance, except where applicable law provides otherwise.

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Travelling as a Group

Groups of five or more passengers with reduced mobility require advance arrangements so that Somali Airlines can coordinate the necessary ground equipment, airport support and assistance staff, consistent with applicable law and operational capability.

1
Where attendants are provided by the group, they should accompany the passengers who require assistance.
2
As a general rule, a person under 18 years of age will not be accepted as an attendant.
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The number of attendants required will depend on the level of assistance needed, including whether passengers can reach an aircraft exit without assistance in an emergency.
4
Escort personnel will be briefed on the actions expected of them in the event of an in-flight emergency.
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At the Airport and During Your Flight

Our teams will use the assistance information provided at booking to coordinate support during ground handling, boarding and disembarkation. Passengers should arrive with sufficient time for the agreed assistance arrangements to be completed before departure. Cabin crew can assist within the limits of their safety and service duties. They are not able to provide personal-care services such as feeding, administering medication, lifting a passenger, or providing direct assistance inside the lavatory.

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Applicable Passenger Rights

Assistance for passengers with disabilities and reduced mobility is provided subject to the laws and regulations applicable to the journey. For any itinerary to or from the United States, relevant U.S. disability-access requirements apply as provided by law.

Need assistance before your flight?

Contact Somali Airlines customer service or your booking office before departure so our team can review your request and confirm the services available for your aircraft, route and travel dates.

chatWhatsApp +252 770 393939
Request as early as possible
cribBassinet, baby meal or family seating
child_careUnaccompanied Child service
accessibleWheelchair or mobility assistance — 48h notice