Flying with an illness can be an uncomfortable experience, particularly if it’s a long-haul flight. However, besides the discomfort, flying with an illness can often put other passengers at risk, particularly if the illness you’re dealing with is infectious.
As a result, flying with certain illnesses can also be a violation of regulations, particularly if you don’t disclose it. As a result, it’s always a good idea to check your country’s and airline’s regulations before you fly with an illness.
This guide tells you everything you need to know about the regulations related to flying while sick, which medical conditions you should not fly with, and whether an airline stops you from flying if you are sick.
Can I Fly if I’m Sick?
There is no straightforward answer to whether or not traveling while sick is allowed. Whether or not you’re allowed will depend on if your illness is contagious, the regulations of the airline you’re flying with, and the laws of your country.
So, if you have an illness like COVID-19, which led to a lot of safety regulations being imposed in recent years, you might be barred from flying.
When deciding whether or not you should fly while you’re sick or whether flying with a fever is okay, you should consider the health and safety of your fellow passengers. This is the same principle that applies to going to school or to your workplace when you’re sick.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) also lays down certain regulations and advises that those with the flu avoid traveling at least 24 hours after the fever is gone.
What Illnesses Should Prevent Me From Flying?
If you happen to be sick before a flight, you should get yourself checked or tested by a medical professional to identify why you’re sick. There is a certain list of illnesses that you should avoid flying with. Here is a list of medical conditions for not flying that you should be aware of:
- Infectious diseases
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Blood clots
- A recent heart attack or stroke
- A recent surgery
- Angina is a pain in the chest while at rest.
- Decompression sickness
- Intracranial pressure
- Illnesses that require additional oxygen supply
- Shortness of breath at rest
- Untreated pneumothorax
- Sickle cell disease
Besides being infectious, flying with certain illnesses can also put your life at risk. This is because flights come with changes in cabin pressure, confinement in a small space, and even reduced oxygen levels. These conditions can often worsen existing medical conditions, putting you in grave danger.
This is why it’s critical that you seek the advice of your doctor or a medical professional on whether or not you can fly with any illness you might be suffering from.
Can Airlines Refuse Sick Passengers?
Yes, a commercial airline can deny you boarding if your medical condition or illness poses a risk to your safety or to that of other passengers and crew members. Sometimes, they can also affect the operation of the flight, as medical emergencies can often lead to flights being rerouted or having to make emergency landings.
As a result, airlines have the authority to decide whether or not you can board an airline if you pose a significant risk. Here are a few different scenarios in which airlines can deny you boarding:
- Contagious Illnesses: If you have a highly contagious infection such as the flu, a viral infection, or a fever, an airline could refuse boarding for the safety of the other passengers and crew.
- Medical Unfitness: If you’re medically unfit to fly, you could be denied boarding for your own safety.
- Medical Incapacitation: If an airline finds that you’re medically unfit and unable to take care of yourself, they could deny you boarding for your safety.
- Risk of Complications: Some medical conditions could worsen over the course of a flight. This could be due to changes in the cabin pressure, reduced oxygen levels, and so on. An airline could deny you boarding in such cases.
- Disruptive Behavior: In some cases, medical illnesses can lead to disruptive behavior which can cause discomfort to the passengers and crew. If an airline deems such behavior to be unsafe, they can deny you boarding.
Policies on Sick Passengers
US Regulations
The US has its own regulations with respect to passengers who are sick. If you have a transmittable illness or one that can cause harm to other passengers or crew on board the flight, the airline will compensate you by offering you an alternative flight on a later day, usually up to 90 days after the time you were denied boarding.
UK Regulations
Unlike in the US, passengers are not entitled to compensation if they’re denied boarding because of their health. If you’re suffering from a contagious illness that can put other passengers and the crew at risk, you won’t receive any compensation.
EU Regulations
Like the UK, the EU also doesn’t offer any compensation for passengers who are denied boarding for reasons related to their health. So, for example, if you’re not allowed to board because of a respiratory illness, you won’t receive any compensation. This is because the safety of other passengers and the crew is the airline’s primary priority.
What Should I Do If I Need to Cancel Due to an Illness?
If you need to cancel your booking to avoid flying with a fever or any other contagious illness, there are a few steps you should take:
- Contact the Airline: If you’re too sick to travel and know you won’t be able to board your flight, you should contact your airline as soon as possible. Explain your situation to them and ask them about their policies with regard to a refund in the event of an illness.
- Check Cancellation Policies: Check the airline’s cancellation policies and find out the different cut-off dates and the refunds you’re entitled to with each. If your illness leads to the airline denying you boarding, you may also want to explore options for denied boarding compensation if applicable.
- Medical Records: Some airlines might require you to provide medical documentation stating that you’re too sick to travel. This could be a doctor’s note, for instance. You should keep all relevant documents handy in case they’re required.
- Travel Insurance: If you have purchased travel insurance, check if your policy entitles you to compensation in case you need to cancel due to an illness. Some comprehensive policies will cover this and will compensate you if you can’t make your flight.
How to Get a Refund If You’re Too Sick to Fly?
If you’re too sick to fly, there are certain things you must do to help secure compensation for a denied boarding. These include:
- Contacting the Airline: Contacting your airline’s customer support to inform them of your reason for requesting a refund is the first step in the process.
- Gather Relevant Medical Documentation: The airline might require you to produce documentation such as a doctor’s note stating you’re too sick to travel. Ensure to keep all these documents handy.
- Refundable vs. Non-Refundable Tickets: If you’ve booked a non-refundable ticket, getting a refund can be a lot more challenging. However, some airlines can be flexible with regard to an illness. Make sure to keep your medical documentation handy in case the airline requires it.
- Timeframe: If you know you won’t be able to make your flight, contact the airline immediately. The closer you are to the date of the flight, the trickier it can be to obtain a full refund. If your illness causes you to miss your flight, it’s also important to know what to do if you miss your flight so you can handle the situation effectively and explore your options. Acting quickly can increase your chances of securing a resolution, whether it’s rebooking, a refund, or compensation.
- Travel Insurance: If you have purchased travel insurance, check to see if it covers cancellations due to a medical illness.
- Timeframe: If you know you won’t be able to make your flight, contact the airline immediately. The closer you are to the date of the flight, the trickier it can be to obtain a full refund.
- Online Booking: If you’ve booked your flight through a third-party agency, check their cancellation policies for more clarity.
- Document Everything: Keep a record of all your communication, including emails, calls, and so on. Also include medical documentation.
FAQ
If you have a cold with mild symptoms, you should be able to fly. However, if the airline believes your condition could pose a risk to other passengers or the airline crew, you could be denied boarding.
Some medical conditions that you shouldn’t fly with include contagious illnesses, instances of medical unfitness or incapacitation, respiratory illnesses, a recent heart attack or a stroke, sickle cell disease, angina, or recent surgery.
If you get sick before a flight, contact the airline immediately and ask them for their policies on a refund. Keep all medical documents handy in case the airlines require them, and remember to act quickly to increase your chances of a higher refund.