Air Travel

If you are receiving medical care, it is advisable to consult with your GP about any plans to travel by air.

The environment within an aeroplane during flight may be challenging for individuals with certain health conditions. Humidity is relatively low and conditions are often noisy and cramped with long periods of sitting. Passengers are also subjected to reduced atmospheric pressure.

Inform your airline of your particular needs in good time and check the policy of your airline. It is also a good idea to arrive with plenty of time prior to flying.

Remember that there are often long walking distances within airports. With sufficient notice, airports can usually make a wheelchair available.

If you have a colostomy or ileostomy, it’s important to eat carefully the day before you travel, and avoid spicy food, fizzy drinks, alcohol and foods which cause wind. When flying, the air pressure changes may cause problems.

Contacts

Flying with Disability		Flying with Disability home
Macmillan Cancer Support	89 Albert Embankment London, SE1 7UQ 0207 840 7840 (office) 0808 808 0000 (Help line)	Macmillan Travel information

Review Date: May 2012

Dorothy House Hospice Care provides the A-Z as a service to patients, carers and professionals, and cannot accept responsibility for the content of any external site referred to. We endeavour to ensure that all links are relevant at the time of publication.