Flying with a medical condition

Travelling itself can often be a stressful experience, and on top of that there are many medical conditions that could make air travel more problematic for you. That's why we've created a guide to what medical conditions may impact your travel.

First and foremost, speak to your doctor

It's always a good idea to consult your doctor if you're unsure whether you are fit to fly, and they can advise accordingly.

Influenza

Contracting any infectious disease may apprehend your ability to fly, and one of the most common of these is the flu. Although flu will often stop people from flying due to ill-health, flu can also be infectious over 3-5 days after you first contract symptoms.

If you do still intend to fly with an infectious disease, you may have to get a 'Fit to Fly' certificate from your local GP. Some airlines may check waiting rooms and boarding areas for ill passengers.

Respiratory Diseases

Other medical conditions that could stop you from flying include short-term, serious respiratory diseases such as pneumonia. Whilst these can also be infectious, they may cause breathlessness.

Whilst long-standing and stable medical conditions should not stop you flying, you should keep your medication or inhalers with you at all times. If you have a long-term medical condition, Holiday Extras travel insurance may cover you for this. However, if your long-term respiratory condition is not stable, you may have to use oxygen on the flight which can be determined by a fit-to-fly test.

Stroke

If you have recently had a stroke, then you should wait at least 10-21 days before flying, dependant on the airline.

Strokes can also leave you with reduced mobility and, if this is the case, flying could increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis, as you may be sitting for a number of hours. To reduce the risk of this, you could book seats with extra legroom, as well as ensure that you do exercise during the flight.