Information on Funeral and Coffin Flight Assistance
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- Airlines will always try to sit children with their parents (subject to check-in)
- Some airlines will allow travel for unaccompanied minors. Please email us to check.
- The fare is based on the child's age on the date of travel.
- More detailed information can be found here Traveling with children
- Most airlines will let infants travel with their parent(s) for free. However some airlines will charge up to 10% of the adult ticket price. Click on 'Price Breakdown' to find out more.
- If you are pregnant, but due before the flight departure date, please contact us once your baby is born and has a name. We can then add him/her to your ticket.
- Infants will not be given a seat. The airlines expect parents to travel with them on their lap.
- Airlines regard infants as being under 24 months old.
- The fare is based on the child's age on the date of travel.
- More detailed information can be found here Traveling with children
Flight Assistance
for Funerals and Coffins
Information on all flight assistance for bereaved passengers traveling for funerals, flying next to a dead body, flying with coffins and corpses or emergency flights.
Airlines and airports will offer help to all passengers suffering with bereavement or traveling with coffins back to their homes or to a funeral. This is also known as compassionate travel, where in the event of a death of a family member or unexpected critical illness, you will need to travel at short notice.
Request coffin assistance when you buy your flights with Alternative Airlines
We understand that many passengers need to travel for commiserating circumstances and Alternative Airlines are happy to arrange assistance for passengers suffering with bereavement or needing to fly with a coffin, a cadaver of for a funeral so that your flight journey is convenient and worry-free. Contact Alternative Airlines on +44 (0)1293 874 920 if you would like any information on services available to you through the airlines you select. We will contact the airline you are flying with that you require assistance on board and provide you with any additional information you may need.
Air travel for Funerals and with Coffins
You can request special assistance with Alternative Airlines if you are needing to travel with a coffin, just type in the requirements you need in "Special Assistance additional detail" box. This should help buying your flights with Alternative Airlines stress-free for you. We provide understanding of the different assistance for bereaving passengers, passengers flying with coffins or corpses, or for a last-minute funeral. It is perfectly fine to suffer bereavement on flights and if you feel that a passenger near you may feel uncomfortable around you, just make the flight attendant aware what may be the problem so they can assist you if you need it.
Special funeral flight requests
When reserving your tickets, if you have any special requests or any other queries related to flying for a funeral or emergency flights, please contact Alternative Airlines and we will contact the specified airline for you.
If you are a looking for a flight discount code for a funeral or need a airline ticket voucher code at the last minute due to a death in the family or friend, you can access all our flight coupon codes. Airlines may not provide a flight ticket refund in the event of a death, however Alternative Airlines can offer a range of flight discount codes to help with cheaper air travel costs.
Top tips For
Flying with a Dead Body or Coffin
We are aware that many airlines have to transport dead bodies in their cargo hold. And we are therefore aware that this can be a distressing thought for the passenger. So we are in contact with the airline for you to ensure that your requests for flying with a corpse or repatriating a coffin with a corpse are responded to. All dead bodies need to be transported in a secure casket and then encased in an airtray. Here are tips that you should follow when needing to travel with a coffin:
Tip 1: Get confirmation from a doctor that the person is deceased
This is important clarification in order to attain a death certificate which is needed for airline authorities and potential ticket refunds
Tip 2: Get a death certificate
This is a legal requirement that the death is registered within the country that the person in question passed away. You will need this for ticketing reasons and also to attain a refund. Depending on an airline's regulations, you may be entitled for a refund if you have to cancel flight tickets due to a death. Please note, that this is dependant on the airline's ticket rules.
Tip 3: If traveling with a coffin, ensure that the funeral director liases with the coroner
For traveling with coffin purposes, the funeral director must liase with the coroner in order to gather documents needed to transport the coffin by air travel.
Tip 4: Be aware of security checks
Like everything else that is transported from one country to another, everything must go through security and X-Ray checks, which includes a coffin. We understand that this might be a sensitive matter but we advise not to put any metal objects in the coffin or anything that might delay the process.
Flying Next to a Dead Body
We don't want to alarm you but deaths may occur during a flight journey due to sudden heart attacks or other illnesses. Because of this we are understand that this can be distressing for many passengers and not a situation you want to experience. In these circumstances, the cabin crew on the airline will first attempt to make the situation as comfortable as possible for all the passengers on the plane by storing the body away from the passengers. They will either be placed in first class if there is space, on a empty row of seats or on the floor of the galley. Again, we don't want to worry you of this as it doesn't happen very often but we want also want you to feel comfortable as possible in through your journey. If you are unsure what Alternative Airlines is, you can read about how you can trust the travel agency.
Bereavement flights, last minute funeral flights and flying with a dead body
FAQs
What are emergency flights?
An emergency flight is booking or reserving a flight in event of an emergency, which can be either a close relative or friend's death or if they are suddenly announced critically ill. This can also be finding out a funeral is taking place at short notice and therefore a last-minute or emergency flight needs to be booked. Alternative Airlines, a travel website, can help you with searching and buying the flights you need in an emergency. You can choose from over 600 airlines to fly on and as this can be distressing and you are in a bereaved state, we will help you with the process. If you need to fly with a dead body or coffin, all information can be found above in this page.
Can I book flights last minute for a family emergency?
Yes, we understand that family emergencies occur and you may need to fly at the last minute. These are also known as grievance flights and you may be put on standby at the airport for this incase a seat becomes free, if there are not any available. If there is a particular airline or flight route you need but there are not any available seats, we adivse you to Contact Alternative Airlines on +44 (0)1293 874 920. You can also book last minute flights for funerals and we are happy to look into a range of alternative flight routes for you. We cannot guarantee there will be availability of the exact flight you want if it is last minute but we offer a range of alternative airlines to make sure you get to where you want to go.
Where can I get emergency flights?
You can buy emergency flights with Alternative Airlines, the online flight search. You can search and book an emergency flight at last minute with our range of over 600 airlines and we will ticket them for you right to your email inbox. You can also contact us on +44 (0)1293 874 920 or use the TOLL FREE number: +1866 5871 862 if you are needing to reserve an emergency flight for a funeral or to visit a friend or family who is unwell. Flights can be either You can buy domestic or international emergency flights with Alternative Airlines and we will help you through the process if you need to fly somewhere to make the experience less stressful for you.
Where can I buy emergency flight tickets for my family?
You can buy any emergency flight ticket for you and your family with Alternative Airlines, the online flight search. You can search the routes you want to go to at the last minute and choose to fly on any airline, including Delta Airlines, Southwest Airlines or even on American Airlines. We are aware that you passengers may need to travel at short notice in the event of an emergency due to a sudden death or a friend or relative being critically ill, so Alternative Airlines make the booking process easy for you. You can get discounted emergency flight deals for you or for your whole family with our PayPal promo codes. Just select the currency that suits you, select PayPal at checkout and input the flight coupon code in the Promo Code box. See all information for family flights.
Can I buy emergency flights and pay later?
Yes with Alternative Airlines, the online travel website. You can choose from a selection of payment plans if you need to buy last-minute flights in an emergency such as a sudden death or a relative or friend is critically ill but need to pay them off later. Alternative Airlines find buying flights on finance a convenient method to pay for flights when a stressful situation occurs such as an emergency or death. You can choose to use Affirm, if you are a US resident, Fly Now Pay Later if you are based in the UK or PayPal Credit if you are an existing PayPal user. You can also set up a PayPal Credit account even if you don't have a PayPal account. Buy your emergency flights now with Alternative Airlines and pay off in monthly installments. We will make the process stress-free and convenient for you. You can also find information on flying with a family, big or small, with Alternative Airlines.
Are there cheap flights for funerals?
Some airlines may provide a discounted flight fare or airline ticket, but it can be down to certain terms and conditions such as availability, the destination or class you are choosing. Also, it is dependant on the airline policy, as they may use to offer it but no longer do. Please contact us and we will be happy to assist in this information. In case of canceling a flight and having to reschedule due to a family emergency or in the event of a death, then documentation will need to provided, such as a death certificate. All information regarding this is found above.
We recommend paying your flights with PayPal for this reason, as you will be able to get a refund quickly if circumstances change. Paying flights with PayPal for last-minute air travel or funerals is safe and convenient. Also you are able to grab a flight discount code if you are looking for cheap last minute flights.
How do I book a last-minute bereavement flight?
Some airlines will allow you to book a last-minute bereavement flight in the event of a family member's death and you miss a flight. Furthermore, there may be a discount to re-schedule for this reason. However, you may be required to present documents of the deceased or the funeral director that is arranging the funeral. Alternative Airlines will be able to help with this information for you and contact the airline to let them know of your circumstance. Not all airlines' policies allow a refund or a discount to change your flight ticket due to grievance. We advise to check the airline's bereavement policies or we can help you with this.
Can I cancel my flight for a family emergency?
Not a problem, we will be happy to help if you are needing to rearrange or cancel your flight due to grievance or bereavement. Some airlines may provide a refund a last minute flight reservation for a funeral of family emergency. Regarding refunds, this will depend on the airline's policy that you are flying with. And in most cases, you will need to provide a death certificate for proof for the refund. See all information on refundable flights.
How to fly with a dead body?
Flying with a dead body or with a coffin can be distressing for the passenger responsible. Therefore Alternative Airlines will help you through this on whichever airline you choose to fly with. The first steps we advise for transporting a body on a flight is to get a death certificate that the person is deceased. All further information on flying with a dead body or coffin can be found above on this page, under "Top Tips". We understand that this is a sensitive process and if you require further assistance, Alternative Airlines will be happy to help.
What are bereavement fares?
Bereavement fares, bereavement flights or compassion flights are flights that are bought in the event that a family member is dying or has died. Not all airlines offer bereavement flights, however some airlines may offer discounted flights for these reasons. We advise you to check with Alternative Airlines if this is possible. It is dependant on the airline's policy. Alternative Airlines will offer a refund in the event of a sudden death and this impacts on your air travel, if a death certificate is provided.
Can I book bereavement flights?
Not with Alternative Airlines, the online flight agency, as this is an airline dependant policy. Not all airlines accept bereavement fares, however you can get a refund with Alternative Airlines for your flights in the event of a death in the family of relative if you are able to provide proof such as a death certificate. If you have already bought your flights with Alternative Airlines, you can inquire on what the next steps are to take. We are happy to help you with this sensitive matter so you have any questions regarding bereavement impacting on your air travel, please do not hesitate to contact us customerservice@alternativeairlines.com.
I need bereavement travel assistance
If you are looking for bereavement travel assistance, Alternative Airlines will be happy to help. The online travel agency understand that many travelers need to buy flights in times of bereavement and will ensure that buying your air travel is stress-free and easy as possible. If you are a bereaved passenger flying, then the airport and airline will assist you through your journey. Berevament fares are not available with Alternative Airlines but the online travel agency will provide a refund if you are need to cancel your flights in the event of a death of a friend or a relative. If you have bought your airline tickets with Alternative Airlines and you need a refund for this particualr matter, we will need proof of the death certificate. If you need more assistance with this, please do not hesitate to call us on +44 (0)1293 874 920 or use the TOLL FREE number: +1866 5871 862 if you are based in the USA. You can even email the Alternative Airlines Customer Service department at customerservice@alternativeairlines.com.
Can I buy plane tickets for funerals?
Yes with Alternative Airlines, the online flight search. If you have been informed of the sad news that a relative or friend has passed away, and you need to fly there quickly, we endeavour to help our customers through the process of buying flights for funerals. We sell airline tickets of over 600 airlines and we want to make sure that wherever you are flying to, including attending a funeral, that you have your flight tickets in hand ready to go. Airlines can include Southwest Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Delta Airlines and many more. If you have previously bought flight tickets for another reason but have to cancel them due to a sudden death of a friend or relative, please contact us for a refund with proof of death certificate.
Can I pay for emergency flights with payments?
Yes. If you are needing to buy last-minute flights for a family emergency or for a sudden death of a friend or relative, you can buy airline tickets and pay back in monthly payments with Alternative Airlines. There are different payment plans available to pay for your flights from over 600 airlines on the travel website.
What happens to a plane ticket if the passenger has died?
If someone who has a flight ticket to use has died, relatives are able to get a refund of the plane ticket by showing proof of a death certificate of that passenger. Please note that this is down to the airline's rules and regulations (of the airline that the deceased were due to fly on). We recommend to read the rules and regulations of the airline ticket.
I need to buy a flight for a funeral at short notice
You can with Alternative Airlines, the online flight search. Not only do we sell a wide range of airline tickets online, we also can help you over the telephone with our dedicated customer service. It can be a distressing situation to buy flights for a funeral or have to change travel plans due to bereavement circumstances, therefore Alternative Airlines will ensure that the process is made easy for you and you are ready to fly to wherever the funeral is taking place. You can contact us to book the flight or search online to find the best fares possible.
Need other flying services and assistance?
Read all our information on:
- Flying with a Bike
- Special Flight Assistance and Passenger Services
- Flying with a Pet
- Flights with Emotional Support Services
- Flying with a Special Service Pet
WHY USE US
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