Fit to Fly
Travel Safe, Travel Smart
Air travel is generally one of the safest and most convenient methods of travelling. Millions of passengers around the world choose to travel by air each year, the vast majority of which experience no ill effects from their journey. Nevertheless, the popularity of air travel means that a lot more passengers with medical problems travel by air each day, many of which are unaware of the potential interaction of their illness with the aircraft environment. A little forward planning can often make the journey more comfortable, both during and after the flight.
Am I Fit to Travel?
Most people are fit to travel by air, but special attention is required for passengers whose health problems may be exacerbated by altitude, hypoxia, travel stress, manhandling luggage, changing climates and food as well as other travel related difficulties.Bear in mind that healthcare facilities in your destination country may not be as good as what you have at home, particularly in remote destinations or developing countries. It is better not to travel to such places if you are pregnant or have a medical condition that may require access at short notice to advanced healthcare facilities. If you are taking 'adventure holidays', make sure that adequate facilities are available if you are injured and need urgent treatment.
If you have had a recent illness or injury, especially if you were hospitalized, or have just undergone a surgical procedure, it is important that you contact our reservations office for advice before travelling. You may be asked to fill in a MEDA form with details of your condition to enable our Aviation Medicine Office to determine if special safety measures or medical services are required and that you are able to complete the journey safely.
If you suffer from any medical condition that results in breathing difficulties, you may have problems when flying due to the decreased availability of oxygen resulting from the cabin altitude. Please consult your own doctor for advice. Your doctor may wish to contact our Aviation Medicine Office for further discussions, particularly if it is felt that oxygen is required for the journey.
If you have stable angina with infrequent attacks, you should be able to travel without difficulty. You might wish to order a wheelchair for use at the airport. If you have unstable angina, or have had a heart attack within the last six months, please ask your doctor to discuss your travel arrangements with our Aviation Medicine Office.
We strongly suggest that you consult your own doctor or an aerospace medical specialist for advice before travel if you have any concerns or doubts about your fitness for travel. Cathay Pacific abides by a long-standing policy to deny passage to any person suffering from a potentially infectious disease. All individuals who travel should ensure they are medically fit prior to embarking on air travel.
