Does anyone one know if you can still fly when you have COPD?!


Question: My mum has just been diagnosed as having COPD, she hadnt taken out insurance and had already booked holiday. Can she still fly


Answers: My mum has just been diagnosed as having COPD, she hadnt taken out insurance and had already booked holiday. Can she still fly

She needs to consult with her physician. Here is the reason why. When the airplane cabin is pressurized, it is to the equivalent of 8,500 feet in elevation. In other words, if your mom was to go to the top of a mountain that was 8,500 feet high, that is the atmosphere she would be breathing in the airplane. The higher the altitude, the thinner the air and the oxygen content is less. Some people with advanced lung disease have experienced collapsed lungs while flying. I don't think her life is worth a few hundred dollars if she isn't sure that she is capable to fly. Again, a simple visit with her doctor should give her the answer she needs.

Very risky......especially as she had no insurance....No good asking here...ask a GP... at the end of the day, yes she can physically fly, but there is some risk, and if she collapses on Holiday who is going to pay for the Hospital and the flight back because it can costs thousands and thousands of pounds, so it it rather irresponsible to go away without insurance as those left at home are left with the problems if anything happens.

Flying may make it more difficult for her to breathe... Also if the doc has put her on Oxygen, your airport may have certain restrictions about flying with a flammable substance... Call the airport and find out their rules and regs on it first! Then you need to call doc, and get approval or medical clearance to fly.

Good Luck

I have copd and fly all the time. never had a problem but I don't take oxygen which is a problem only because of the security issues you have to deal with. If she is really concerned that is a question for her doctor.

Sure. Most older ppl have some COPD. Has more to do with problems exhaling carbon dioxide than inhaling oxygen. She should have no problems at all.

One thing she might want to do is ask for a wheelchair escort to the gate. Sometimes it's a very long walk.

yes you can fly with copd,if it not to server,i have got copd,and have to use oxygen 24/7,i am not allowed to fly. hope this help you. xxx





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