Can I Fly With My Medical Condition?

In this article, we explore whether you can fly with a medical condition, what factors you need to consider before booking, and how to make your journey as safe and comfortable as possible. We all need a holiday now and again to relax and unwind. Ironically, the time we may need it most is after a major life event, including a major illness or surgery, and this may be the only time you’re not allowed to travel.

Whether you’re managing a long-term illness, recovering from recent surgery or treatment, or travelling with medical equipment, understanding the rules around flying, planning ahead and ensuring you have the right travel insurance for pre-existing conditions can help you travel with confidence.

Which Medical Conditions Are Not Safe to Fly With?

Not all medical conditions are safe to fly with, particularly if symptoms are unstable or changing. Changes in cabin pressure, oxygen levels, and long periods of sitting can increase the risk for some people. Understanding which conditions may make flying more unsafe can help you decide whether to postpone your travel or seek medical clearance.

This list covers the main conditions where it may be advised that you don’t fly. It doesn’t cover every eventuality. If you’re in any doubt, speak to your medical team first.

Current Infection (e.g. Flu, Chickenpox)

Active infections like the flu and chickenpox make you highly contagious; therefore, if you travel, you put others at risk of infection. Chickenpox remains infectious until the spots have fully crusted over. Similarly, the flu spreads through coughing, sneezing, and close contact, making flying a high-risk situation.

READ MORE: Can I Fly with Chickenpox/Shingles?

Current or Recent Sinus/Middle Ear Infection

Flying can increase pressure on your sinuses and middle ears, which may cause pain or other complications; therefore, it is recommended that you avoid flying to prevent the infection from worsening.

READ MORE: Can I Fly with a Perforated Eardrum?

A Recently Collapsed Lung (Pneumothorax)

You should avoid flying, usually until about 3 weeks after your pneumothorax has completely resolved. Changes in air pressure and lower oxygen levels can cause the lungs to collapse again or lead to breathing problems.

Shortness of Breath at Rest

If you have a long-term problem like COPD, you’re likely to find that too much exertion makes you short of breath. As long as your symptoms are stable, you’ll often be able to fly even if small amounts of activity make you breathless. However, it’s important to check with your doctor in advance; for instance, you may need a breathing test called spirometry before you go. You may also need to take oxygen with you.

READ MORE: Travelling with COPD

Asthma

If you have asthma and it’s well controlled, you shouldn’t be any more likely than anyone else to have problems flying. However, it is essential to take your medication regularly. If you have recently had an asthma attack or your symptoms are worse than usual, do check with a doctor if you’re safe to fly.

READ MORE: Top Tips for Travelling with Asthma

Recent Angina or Chest Pain at Rest

You can almost always travel, even if you have angina, as long as your symptoms are stable and don’t come on at rest

Recent Heart Attack

You’ll usually be advised not to travel for at least 7-10 days after a heart attack – and even then, only if you’re not having any symptoms and haven’t had any complications. If you’re under 65, haven’t had a previous heart condition, don’t have any further treatment planned, and don’t have any symptoms, you may be able to travel sooner – but only if your doctor gives you the all-clear.

READ MORE: Travelling After a Heart Attack

Recent Stroke or TIA (sometimes called a mini-stroke)

The first few weeks after a stroke or Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) are when your risk of another stroke, or complications from it, is at its highest. You are highly likely to be advised by your doctor not to travel during this period.

How long you need to wait will depend on lots of factors, including how severe the stroke was and whether your stroke was caused by a clot or a bleed on the brain.

READ MORE: Travelling After a Stroke

Recent Decompression Sickness (‘The Bends’)

If you dive, you’re always taught to come up to the surface slowly if you’ve dived to any depth. This is because when you dive deep, nitrogen is absorbed from your lungs and dissolved into your blood. If you rise too quickly, this nitrogen turns into gas bubbles.

This can damage blood vessels and cause very severe joint and bone pains; this is called decompression sickness or sometimes ‘the bends’. Because the air pressure in a plane drops as you reach altitude, this can bring on symptoms if you haven’t been given enough time to get rid of all the nitrogen in your system.

If you’ve dived deep enough to need to stop at intervals before you reach the surface, so-called decompression stops, you should wait at least 24 hours before flying (even if you haven’t needed any decompression stops, you should wait at least 12 hours after one dive and 18 hours after more than one).

If you’ve had decompression sickness, don’t fly until you have been advised by your doctor that it’s safe to do so.

Raised Pressure Inside the Brain

Regardless of the cause, head injury, bleeding into the brain, or infection, you should never fly until you’ve been permitted by your doctor. This is because the drop in cabin pressure during the flight could further increase intracranial pressure.

Recent Surgery On, or Injury to, Your Bowel, Eyes, Face, or Brain

If you have had any form of recent surgery or injury, no matter where that is on your body, this could heighten your chances of complications if you choose to fly. Always check with your doctor about guidance for your condition.

READ MORE: Travelling After Surgery

Severe Mental Health Conditions

If you’re suffering from severe mental health issues, the stress of flying may bring on a mental health crisis. That’s why it’s essential that you check with your specialist team if you’re fit to fly. You may need a letter from your doctor to confirm your condition is stable before you’re allowed to fly.

Late Stages of Pregnancy

Most airlines don’t allow you to travel if you’re over 36 weeks pregnant (or over 32 weeks if you’re pregnant with twins or more). This is largely because of the risk of you going into labour on the flight and of delays to your treatment if the plane needs to be diverted.

Do remember to factor in how many weeks into your pregnancy you’ll be for your return flight. Most airlines need a medical certificate from your doctor if you’re over 28 weeks pregnant, confirming your due date, that you’re healthy, and that your pregnancy is progressing normally. Your doctor will charge for this letter.

READ MORE: Travelling when Pregnant

The recommendations above apply to advice or restrictions regarding scheduled flights. If you need repatriation to the UK, a flight may be possible with an air ambulance in some circumstances. Do remember that medical repatriation isn’t covered by the GHIC or EHIC arrangements, so it’s essential to take out travel insurance (that covers any pre-existing conditions) even if you are going to an area covered by GHIC agreements.

If you’re unsure whether you should travel with a medical condition, such as deep vein thrombosis, heart disease, or blood clots, it is always wise to check with a medical professional first. They can provide tailored advice and guidance based on your specific health situation, ensuring that your journey is as safe and comfortable as possible. Additionally, they may recommend precautions or necessary treatments to mitigate any risks associated with travel. One of the best ways to ensure you are covered in case of a change of medical circumstance or emergency whilst you’re away is to ensure you have the correct travel insurance cover for your condition.

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