What to do if you get sick during a flight (2024)

  • Air travel
By Michael Gebicki

“If there’s a doctor on board would he or she make themselves known to the cabin crew?”

That’s one inflight announcement that gets everyone’s attention. Cases of inflight medical emergencies are rare, between 25 and 100 cases per million passengers, according to German airline Lufthansa. Babies get born, defibrillators get switched on and discharged, fights break out and noses are broken – but these are rare exceptions.

What to do if you get sick during a flight (1)

According to a study of almost 12,000 inflight medical emergencies by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre, in almost 40 per cent of cases the problem was temporary loss of consciousness due to low blood pressure. Respiratory symptoms accounted for 12 per cent, nausea or vomiting 10 per cent and cardiac symptoms eight per cent.

In roughly three quarters of cases when flight crews requested assistance from passengers with medical training, the response was positive.

Feeling crook?

While the most common medical problems that happen onboard are nausea or dizziness, if it’s something more serious, tell the cabin crew. If you’re travelling with a partner or friend, ask them to do it. Cabin crew have access to a medical kit and they’re trained to deal with medical emergencies, but only up to a point. They might be first responders but they’re not paramedics and if it’s a situation they’re not trained to deal with they may make an announcement asking if there’s a doctor on board.

Medical professionals are sometimes reluctant to step forward in answer to the call, and there’s no obligation for them to do so. Some will wait in hope that another qualified medico will respond, some lack the relevant qualifications, others might be put off by the cramped surroundings and lack of resources.

There is also a fear of possible legal consequences, yet according to a report on Medical Guidelines for Airline Travel by the Aerospace Medical Association there are no known cases of legal proceedings against a medical professional who has volunteered in an inflight medical emergency.

Australian law provides protection for Good Samaritans and in the USA the Aviation Medical Assistance Act of 1998 also provides legal protection for medically qualified professionals. Many other major carriers also indemnify medical professionals against legal liability.

Should you fly if you’re feeling unwell?

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We push it, don’t we? We want to get to where we’re going and – it’s only a head cold, a mild fever, I haven’t sneezed today so I’m probably not infectious. Or maybe there was just one pre-flight drink too many in the terminal.

Flying impacts your circulation system, since you’re likely to be inactive for long periods, and respiration, due to less oxygen in a pressurised cabin than at ground level. That can tip you over the edge if you’re suffering from some health conditions that make it imperative to have a medical check-up before flying. The list includes angina or chest pain, any infectious disease including COVID-19, an ear or sinus infection, a recent heart attack or stroke, if you experience breathlessness at rest or difficulty breathing or a recent operation. Even something as simple as a toothache can turn a flight into head-pounding torment.

Flying too soon after scuba diving can cause decompression sickness, and the only cure for that is a fast return to low altitude and a hyperbaric chamber. According to the Professional Association of Diving Instructors and the Divers Alert Network, divers need a minimum surface time of 12 hours following a single dive and 18 hours after repetitive dives or multiple dive days. The US-based National Association of Underwater Instructors recommends 24 hours after any dive before flying at altitude.

Airlines can refuse to board you if you’re sick

Your airline doesn’t want you onboard if you’re not healthy.

“Medical conditions can be exacerbated by the on-board environment,” writes former Qantas Captain Bill Austen in his memoir Cloud Surfing.

“Reduced oxygen, dry air, stress, fatigue, separation from medicines and a lot of minor complications. In an attempt to thwart such problems, the only thing to do, in obvious cases, is not to take the problem on board in the first place. I could give numerous examples of passengers being refused boarding. People are never happy with this, but sometimes it has to be done.”

Staff at the check-in desk and at the boarding gate are on the lookout for passengers who present as unwell, and that require further investigation, with the possibility of offloading that passenger. A sick or incapacitated passenger is trouble they don’t need. In an extreme case, an aircraft might have to make an unscheduled stop to offload a passenger suffering a medical emergency. If that can be anticipated, that passenger won’t be flying today.

Can you get off at a transit stop?

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If you have a transit stop coming up and you’re unwell, you might consider ditching your connecting flight in favour of medical attention. If so, you need to let your cabin crew know. They’ll probably refer you to the transfer desk in the terminal, where you can make whatever arrangements might be necessary. If you’re too unwell for that, again your cabin crew can advise. If you don’t show up for your connecting flight without telling the airline, not only do you risk delaying the flight but your booking will be cancelled.

Medical assistance at airports

Major airports will usually have a health clinic. They vary in the services they offer but at the very least they can provide a diagnosis and medical treatment similar to what you could expect from a GP. In some cases such as Melbourne Airport’s Health Clinic, these medical centres can perform minor operations. For anything beyond the services and expertise they offer, the clinic staff should be able to arrange any further treatment that may be necessary. The health clinic should be your first port of call if you arrive feeling unwell.

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What to do if you get sick during a flight (2024)

FAQs

What to do if you're sick on the plane? ›

Some illnesses that arise might require you to make frequent trips to the bathroom, but for the most part, you want to stay in your seat while you're sick on a plane ― especially if you're experiencing dizziness or headaches. “Try to stay seated, as sometimes standing could worsen your symptoms,” Qing said.

What if I get sick the day of my flight? ›

Airlines can refuse to board you if you're sick

“Reduced oxygen, dry air, stress, fatigue, separation from medicines and a lot of minor complications. In an attempt to thwart such problems, the only thing to do, in obvious cases, is not to take the problem on board in the first place.

What should I do if I get sick while traveling? ›

Special care if you become ill or injured while traveling

Contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for a list of local healthcare providers and medical facilities. If your illness is serious, consular officers can help you find medical assistance. If you want, they can inform your family and friends.

How do you overcome flight sickness? ›

Drink some water or a carbonated beverage

Sips of cold water or a carbonated drink, like seltzer or ginger ale, may also help curb your nausea. Skip caffeinated beverages, like coffee and certain sodas, which may contribute to dehydration that can make nausea worse.

What happens if you get ill on a flight? ›

If the cabin crew assesses the patient and agrees that professional medical help is needed and there's no doctor on board, they'll contact an approved medical call centre. Here, they'll be connected to a consulting physician for recommendations on a treatment plan – it's this physician who will make the ultimate call.

Can an airline stop you from flying if you are sick? ›

An airline can deny boarding of any passenger who looks unwell, especially if they suspect the passenger might be infectious (infect other passengers).

Why do I get sick every time I fly? ›

Air travel

Airplanes can be breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses, from cramped conditions to the low humidity that characterizes the air circulating on board. Low humidity can dry out your nasal passages and irritate your throat.

What to do against travel sickness? ›

Preventing motion sickness without medicine
  1. Sit in the front of a car or bus.
  2. Choose a window seat on flights and trains.
  3. If possible, try lying down, shutting your eyes, sleeping, or looking at the horizon.
  4. Stay hydrated by drinking water. ...
  5. Eat small amounts of food frequently.
  6. Avoid smoking.

How to avoid getting sick when flying? ›

Ways to prevent getting sick on a plane
  1. Wash your hands and use hand sanitizer with 60% or more alcohol. ...
  2. Clean the airplane seat with sanitizing wipes. ...
  3. Wear a mask, even when not required. ...
  4. Pick a window seat. ...
  5. Keep your things in overhead bins. ...
  6. Travel with your medicine. ...
  7. Travel with electrolytes.
Aug 30, 2023

What is it called when you get sick on a plane? ›

Airsickness is a type of incompatibility disorder causing cold sweats, nausea and vomiting during the flight. It is felt intensely, especially when the plane is shaking, often the tremors of the plane trigger the airsickness.

Where to sit on a plane to avoid motion sickness? ›

Because you're flying through air currents, the flight will have a normal bumpiness to it. Different seats, however, may be bumpier than others. Choose a seat between the plane's wings or closer to the front of the airplane, where the ride tends to be more stable. Avoid sitting in the back of the plane.

Is plane sickness common? ›

Air sickness is a common plague for many travelers, but luckily there are some things you can do to better equip yourself against this annoying side effect. The first thing in battling air sickness is knowing what it is. This issue occurs when your inner ear detects movement that your eyes aren't registering.

What to do if you are too sick to fly? ›

Medical Documentation: Some airlines may require medical documentation, such as a note from your doctor, indicating that you're too sick to travel. Check with the airline about their specific requirements for medical documentation.

What happens if you fly with a cold? ›

You should be aware that there is a risk of infecting the flight crew and other travelers. For yourself, there is a risk that the typical cold symptoms will be exacerbated by the pressure differences during the flight. This will only delay your recovery and may even lead to a worsening of your state of health.

What happens if you get sick and can't fly? ›

Now, if you need to delay your trip for illness, you can usually do so without penalty. Most airlines now allow changes with Economy tickets. When you are well enough to travel, you'll just have to pay the difference in cost for an airline ticket (if there is one for your new dates).

What to do if you feel unwell before a flight? ›

Please stay at home if you're sick

Generally, airlines cannot transport individuals who may be contagious, and highly symptomatic passengers will not be allowed on board. "Flu during air travel is associated with the risk of pressure-related injuries in the middle ear and nasal sinuses.

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