Medical fitness to fly

Cardiovascular diseases

People are deemed fit to fly if they can walk 80 meters without help and without suffering pain, and are able to climb 10-12 steps without encountering respiratory or heart problems. Those who have suffered a heart attack within the last three months should not fly. People with a heart condition who rely on medication must be aware that the stress of travelling can aggravate the problem.

Those who have suffered a heart attack within the last three months should not fly.

Lung diseases

People suffering from lung diseases should be able to walk 80 to 100 meters at an altitude of about 2,100 meters without experiencing respiratory difficulties. Your doctor is responsible for deciding if you can tolerate a 10 percent decrease of oxygen in the blood.

Anaemia

The hemoglobin level should be over 9 mg/dl (norm = 12-16 mg/dl) in order for a person to be fit to fly alone and without additional oxygen.

Epilepsy

Generally speaking, people suffering from epilepsy are fit to fly if they have their illness well under control thanks to medication. It is recommended that they travel with an accompanying person. The effect of time differences, as well as a possible lack of sleep, should also be taken into consideration. Long flights at night should be avoided.

Pregnancy

Flying should be avoided by women in the last 4 to 6 weeks of pregnancy, as well as those at risk of miscarriage or premature birth. Particular caution should be taken in the case of women who smoke heavily, who suffer from severe anemia, a heart condition or lung disease, or who have an avid fear of flying.

Diabetes mellitus

Hormones adapt to the time difference more quickly when flying from west to east than vice versa. When flights cross several time zones, fluctuations in the blood sugar are more extreme and need to be monitored more frequently. The greatest risk of hypoglycemia occurs during the first few nights after arrival from a long-distance flight.