You should not fly if you're severely ill (fever, contagious, severe congestion), heavily intoxicated, pose a safety risk (unlawful items, threats, dangerous behavior), have serious health conditions worsened by flight, or if there are extreme weather/travel warnings for your destination, especially late in pregnancy (after 36 weeks) or with certain medical risks like Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).
Respiratory Diseases. Any lung condition—whether chronic (like COPD) or temporary—can make air travel dangerous. If you experience shortness of breath at rest, you may struggle in the lower-oxygen environment of an airplane cabin. Some passengers can fly with supplemental oxygen if their doctor approves.
Generally, air travel before 36 weeks of pregnancy is considered safe for people who aren't dealing with any pregnancy problems. Still, if you're pregnant, it's a good idea to talk with your health care provider before you fly.
You can fly with a mild cold or flu, but it's not always recommended. Avoid flying if you have a fever, severe symptoms, or are feeling very unwell. Cabin pressure changes can worsen ear pain and sinus congestion. You may be contagious in the first few days of illness - wearing a mask helps reduce spread.
Weather that delays and cancels flights is called inclement weather. Inclement weather is categorized as thunderstorms, snowstorms, wind shear, icing, and fog. Any inclement weather is by far the most hazardous. This is the type of weather that causes the most cancellations and delays, not just rain.
Thunderstorms, lightning, rain, fog, winds, snow, and ice, can all make for harrowing flights.
These are among the most common causes of flight disruptions.
Taking the right steps before your flight can help reduce your risk of experiencing discomfort.
It's essential to check with your doctor or hospital nurse before you fly to see whether it's safe for you to travel. If you have a flare-up of your condition, with increased cough, sputum, and breathlessness, your doctor may well recommend delaying travel until your symptoms are back to normal.
According to the EU and US regulations, airlines have the authority to deny boarding if a passenger poses a health risk to themselves or others. This includes contagious illness or medical unfitness, that can affect other passengers. Situations can vary, some paperwork and documentation may even be required.
Flying while pregnant
Most airlines won't let you fly if you're within about a month of your due date. Some will need a letter from your GP or midwife saying you're fit to fly when you're 7 months pregnant. Check with the airline before you book.
A pregnant woman's circulation is already under strain – the lower cabin pressure inside a plane can theoretically increase the risk of blood clots. Drink plenty of water to reduce the risk of dehydration. Keeping up your fluid intake will also reduce the risk of DVT.
Which seat will work best for you depends on your needs.
This chart from Boeing breaks a 90-minute flight into phases — from the moment the aircraft is on the ground, to when it lands. And here's what it shows — most fatal crashes happen in the first few minutes after takeoff, and the final moments before landing.
The "45-minute rule" refers to a productivity technique of working intensely for 45 minutes, followed by a 10-15 minute break, leveraging the brain's natural focus cycles (ultradian rhythms) to prevent burnout and boost efficiency, though it can also refer to airline check-in deadlines or corporate onboarding targets. The work/rest pattern helps maintain concentration, while the airport rule requires check-in 45 mins pre-flight for domestic flights.
Pilot error is the number one cause of aviation accidents. Piloting an aircraft requires lengthy training, a knowledge of the mechanical components of an aircraft, and hand-eye coordination skills to effectively and safely maneuver an aircraft. Pilots also have to think ahead.
Flying with Medical Conditions
If you have a head cold or swollen sinuses, try taking a decongestant before you get on the airplane. If the plane trip is long enough, take one again at least an hour before landing.
Airlines require a Fit to Fly certificate for unwell passengers—but air ambulances do not. The airline's medical team, not your personal doctor, makes the final decision. Common reasons for refusal include oxygen needs, recent surgery, instability, and infection.
If your congestion is mild, you can proceed with your traveling plans if you feel up for it. However, severe cases of congestion should be checked out by a medical professional. Infections such as sinus infections may require treatment to resolve.
Two common methods used to ease this pain while taking off and in-flight include chewing gum or another substance and/or swallowing water. By chewing and swallowing, you can temporarily relieve pressure that is building in your sinuses due to the change in cabin pressure.
Eat a light meal before boarding the plane: flying on an empty stomach, contrary to popular belief, does not help to avoid airsickness - in fact, it exacerbates it. We would therefore recommend having a few light snacks before the flight, such as fruit, vegetables or some crackers.
Even though pilots use instrumentation to fly safely through clouds when they cannot see, good old-fashioned eyesight is still a necessary fail-safe near a runway.
What medical conditions does FAA consider disqualifying?