While it can be frustrating if a trip falls through at the last minute due to illness, there are often precautions in place for certain medical conditions that may prevent you from flying.
According to The Mirror, the World Health Organization (WHO) states: “Airlines have the right to refuse carriage to passengers with conditions that may worsen or have serious consequences during the flight.
“They may require medical clearance from their doctor if there is an indication that a passenger may be suffering from any illness or physical or mental condition that may endanger the safety of the aircraft, reduce the welfare and comfort of other passengers and members of the crew, require in-flight medical attention or may deteriorate from the flight.
“If the cabin crew suspects before take-off that a passenger may be ill, the captain of the aircraft will be informed and a decision will be made as to whether the passenger is fit to travel, requires medical attention or poses a danger to other passengers and crew or to the safety of the plane.
“Airline policies vary and requirements should always be checked at the time of or prior to booking a flight. A good place to find information is often the airline’s own website.’
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18 medical conditions that can prevent you from flying
With that in mind, you may be wondering what certain health conditions are listed that may prevent you from flying.
Fit For Travel, run by the NHS, said that air travel is generally not recommended in the following cases:
- Babies less than 48 hours old (longer after premature birth)
- Women after 36 weeks of pregnancy (or 32 weeks in multiple pregnancies)
- Angina or chest pain at rest
- Infectious disease (eg chickenpox, flu or coronavirus)
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Recent heart attack
- Recent stroke
- Recent surgery or injury where there may be trapped air or gas in the body (eg stomach, bowel, eyes, face or brain)
- Severe, long-term illnesses that affect your breathing (eg COPD)
- Pneumonia
- I panted at rest
- Sickle cell anemia
- Unresolved pneumothorax (lung puncture)
- Ear infection
- Decompression sickness after diving
- Increased pressure in the brain (due to bleeding, injury or infection)
- Plaster casts placed within 24 hours for flights of less than two hours or 48 hours for longer flights
- Unstable mental health or psychotic illness.
You can find more information about flying with certain medical conditions on the Fit For Travel and NHS websites.