Travel warnings are being issued over 18 medical conditions that could see you banned from flying. While usual and obvious sickness could stop you from boarding, some lesser known reasons could also see a change to your plans.
The World Health Organization states: "Airlines have the right to refuse to carry 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 could be suffering from any disease or physical or mental condition that could be a hazard to the safety of the aircraft, reduce the welfare and comfort of the other passengers and crew members, require medical attention during the flight, or may be aggravated by the flight.
"If cabin crew suspect before departure that a passenger may be ill, the aircraft’s captain will be informed and a decision taken as to whether the passenger is fit to travel, needs medical attention or presents a danger to other passengers and crew or to the safety of the aircraft.
"Airline policies vary and requirements should always be checked at the time of, or before, booking the flight. A good place to find information is often the airline’s own website."
According to Fit For Travel, run by the NHS, air travel is not normally advised in the following cases:
- Babies less than 48 hours old (longer after premature births )
- Women after the 36th week of pregnancy (or 32nd week for multiple pregnancy)
- Angina or chest pain at rest
- An infectious disease (e.g. chickenpox, flu or Covid )
- Cardiovascular disease
- Recent heart attack
- Recent stroke
- Recent operation or injury where trapped air or gas may be present in the body (e.g. stomach, bowel, eyes, face or brain)
- Severe, long-term diseases that affect your breathing (e.g. COPD)
- Pneumonia
- Breathlessness at rest
- Sickle cell anaemia
- Unresolved pneumothorax (punctured lung)
- Ear infection
- Decompression sickness after diving (sometimes called 'the bends')
- Increased pressure in the brain (due to bleeding, injury or infection)
- Plaster casts applied within 24 hours for flights less than two hours, or 48 hours for longer flights
- Unstable mental health or psychotic illness.
