Air travel and chronic disease

Air travel is safe if you are not suffering from a chronic disease. If a chronic ill person takes some preautions, air travel will be quite as save in most cases. It seems that a raising number of travellers are seniors,why the fraction of travellers with chronic diseases are increasing.

People with diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disorders, chronic respiratory disease, epilepsy, severe anaemia or unstable diabetes mellitus, and those who are taking immunosuppressive medication, are on renal dialysis, or whose fitness to travel is in doubt for any other reason should consult their doctor before deciding to travel by air. Medical clearance should be sought from the airline in case of doubt.

Airlines require medical clearance by the medical department/adviser of the airline if there is an indication that a passenger may be suffering from any disease or physical or mental condition that may:

• adversely affect the welfare and comfort of the other passengers and/or crew members;
• be considered a potential hazard to the safety of the aircraft;
• require medical attention and/or special equipment during the flight;
• be aggravated by the flight.

Airlines reserve the right to refuse to carry passengers with conditions that may be exacerbated or cause serious consequences during the flight.

Frequent travellers who are permanently or chronically impaired may obtain a frequent traveller's medical card from the airline's medical department. This card is accepted, under specified conditions, as proof of medical clearance and for identification of the holder's impairment.

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 or the safety of the aircraft.

Travellers with disabilities may require assistance in the airport. Give the airlines plenty of notice and be honest about your condition. You may need a wheelchair. The airlines operate with three categories of assistance ( the code for your needs are printed on your ticket ):

• WCHR: wheelchair to and from gate. You may walk from the gate to your seat.
• WCHS: wheelchair to the aircraft. You may walk from the cabin door to your seat.
• WCHC: assistance to your seat.

You and your helper may take contact to the check-in counter at your arrival to the airport.

If you do have special diatetic needs during the flight you can require:

• Diabetic diet
• Gluten-free diet
• Saline-poor diet
• Cholesterol-poor diet

Although aircraft cabins are pressurized, cabin air pressure at cruising altitude is lower than air pressure at sea level. At a typical cruising altitude of 11 000 metres (37 000 feet), air pressure in the cabin is equivalent to that at an altitude of 1500?500 metres (5000?000 feet) above sea level. As a consequence, the available oxygen is reduced and gases within the body expand. If you need oxygen you may inform the airline before departure, whenbooking your ticket. The oxygen in the aircraft is only for emergency use. You may bring your own oxygen or for a fee, airlines provide oxygen for passengers who require it.