Australia’s first Air Travel Companion

Australians can now be rest assured that their elderly or unwell relatives and young children can travel interstate or overseas safely without needing to be accompanied by a family member, with the launch of Australia’s first travel assistance service.

Air Travel Companion is a new service making qualified carers available to escort young, elderly or infirm travellers on long journeys, ensuring they travel comfortably and arrive safely.

Under the service, registered nurses will accompany a traveller door-to-door, from departure to arrival and hand-over to loved ones, organising wheelchair assistance and special seating, administering medication and providing any other necessary assistance throughout the flight.

Founder of Air Travel Companion is Rosaleen Gilovitz, a registered nurse with more than 15 years experience, including special training in aviation health as part of the Qantas medical team.

Rosaleen’s decision to launch the companion service is based on her experience working with insurance companies assisting repatriate sick or injured patients. She found that people wanting to relocate a sick or infirm family member frequently had no option other than purchase a return ticket, take time off work and collect the relative themselves.

According to Rosaleen, two key groups, expatriates and divorcées, will welcome Air Travel Companion.

Australia is home to a large number of expatriates, many of whom have family overseas. For occasions like Christmas or birthdays, getting elderly family members over to Australia can be a stretch.

Also, with high divorce rates in Australia, separated parents who do not live in the same city as their previous partner often struggle to see their children. As Australians work longer hours, finding the time to collect and accompany children on the flight has also become harder. 

“Already these clients have found the Air Travel Companion service to be a huge comfort,” Rosaleen said.

“People often worry when an infirm family member travels alone. Common concerns centre on administering medication in changing time zones, and the lack of assistance if the traveller should happen to have a fit or develop acute symptoms.”

“Having a qualified professional who can provide personal assistance has helped put a lot of people’s minds to rest,” she said.

“It is very rewarding to see a traveller united with their family at the destination, comfortably and safely.”

Rosaleen has devised a list of tips to make travelling easy:

Tips for elderly or infirm travellers: –

** Carry your medication in your hand luggage

** Have sufficient medication for at least one week, in case your baggage gets lost

** Drink plenty of water

** Dress in non restrictive clothing to be comfortable on the flight

** Check with your local doctor to see if you require a support stocking or medication to avoid DVT

Tips for unaccompanied minors: –

** Arrange for the child to meet with the travel companion prior to departure

** If the child is particularly young, ensure they have their favourite book, toy or game with them

** Label all medication if required

** For long flights, take a spare change of clothes

** If the child is a regular traveller, try to use the same companion each time

Report by The Mole