air travel after brain stroke

• Type 2 Diabetes
• Heart Disease
• Digestive Health
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Diet & Nutrition
• Health Insurance
• Public Health
• Patient Rights
• Caregivers & Loved Ones
• End of Life Concerns
• Health News
• Thyroid Test Analyzer
• Doctor Discussion Guides
• Hemoglobin A1c Test Analyzer
• Lipid Test Analyzer
• Complete Blood Count (CBC) Analyzer
• What to Buy
• Editorial Process
• Meet Our Medical Expert Board

Is it Safe to Travel on an Airplane After a Stroke?

Many stroke survivors and families of stroke survivors worry about the safety of flying as a passenger in an airplane after a stroke. Is the concern warranted? It certainly is a common question, so common in fact, that a number of medical research studies have looked at this very question.

Can Flying Cause a Stroke?

Data shows that urgent medical ailments of all forms are relatively uncommon on airline flights, and the incidence of a stroke during a commercial flight is especially low.

An Australian group of medical researchers defined strokes related to air travel as any stroke occurring within 14 days of travel.   After tracking 131 million passengers at Melbourne airport between 2003 and 2014, the researchers reported that stroke-related to air travel occurs in less than one in a million passengers. They found that that half of the people who had a stroke on a flight had a heart condition that is known to lead stroke . These heart conditions are fairly common, so the findings of the very low stroke rate suggest that there may not be a substantially increased risk of stroke from flying.

Another group of researchers from Spain found that a stroke occurred at a rate of one per every 35,000 flights.   They found that over 70% of those who had a stroke on an airplane had carotid artery stenosis, which is narrowing of a blood vessel in the neck, a condition that is a risk factor for stroke.

Flying After a TIA or a Stroke

As it turns out, a history of stroke does not pose danger to the brain during an airline flight, and therefore, a past stroke is not a contraindication to flying on an airplane as a passenger.

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a mini-stroke that resolves without permanent brain damage. A TIA is very similar to a stroke and it is a warning of stroke risk. Most of the health conditions discovered during a medical TIA evaluation do not limit air travel.

However, it is important to note that a few of the medical disorders that lead to a TIA may pose a very small risk on airplane flights. These disorders include patent foramen ovale, paradoxical embolism, or hypercoagulability. If you have been diagnosed with any of these health conditions, you should get the appropriate medical treatment.

When It May Be Unsafe to Fly

Hypercoagulability is a condition that increases the tendency of blood clot formation. Several blood-clotting syndromes cause hypercoagulability.

Most strokes are caused by an interruption of blood flow due to a blood clot in the brain. Flying for long distances has been associated with an increase in blood clotting in those who are susceptible. If you have a hypercoagulable condition, it is best to talk to your healthcare provider about airplane travel and whether you need to take any special precautions.

What if a Stroke or TIA Happens in-Flight?

While it is unusual for a stroke to arise during flight, it does occur. When airline attendants are alerted of a passenger’s medical distress, they respond promptly, as they are trained to do.

If you or a loved one experiences a stroke on an airplane, nearby passengers and trained professionals are likely to notice and call for emergency medical help fairly quickly. On rare occasions, passenger flights have been diverted for medical emergencies, and emergency personnel can transport a passenger to a medical facility for diagnosis and treatment.

A Word From Verywell

A stroke causes a wide range of neurological deficits. Some of the disabilities that result from a stroke, such as impaired speech, vision changes, and trouble walking, may impair your ability to get around and communicate with others in the air travel setting.

Stroke survivors may suffer from deficits in spatial perception, which can increase the risk of getting lost in an airport. Communication problems after a stroke can lead to a misunderstanding of detailed flight information. Weakness and coordination problems can make it difficult to walk long distances through an airport. Consequently, for practical reasons, many stroke survivors should travel either with a companion or with professional assistance.

If you are a stroke survivor, you can travel safely with a reasonable amount of planning.

Álvarez-velasco R, Masjuan J, Defelipe A, et al. Stroke in commercial flights . Stroke . 2016;47(4):1117-9. doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.115.012637

Humaidan H, Yassi N, Weir L, Davis SM, Meretoja A. Airplane stroke syndrome . J Clin Neurosci . 2016;29:77-80. doi:10.1016/j.jocn.2015.12.015

Cleveland Clinic. Transient ischemic attack (TIA) or mini stroke .

Messerli FH, Rimoldi SF, Scherrer U, Meier B. Economy class syndrome, patent foramen ovale and stroke . Am J Cardiol . 2017;120(3):e29. doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2016.07.047

Dusse LMS, Silva MVF, Freitas LG, Marcolino MS, Carvalho MDG. Economy class syndrome: what is it and who are the individuals at risk? .  Rev Bras Hematol Hemoter . 2017;39(4):349–353. doi:10.1016/j.bjhh.2017.05.001

By Heidi Moawad, MD Dr. Moawad is a neurologist and expert in brain health. She regularly writes and edits health content for medical books and publications.

Stroke Helpline

Monday to Friday: 9 am to 5 pm

Saturday: 10 am to 1 pm

Sunday: Closed

Supporter Relations

Saturday: Closed

• Professionals

Going on holiday after stroke

Holidays are an important part of life, and this guide can help you with holiday planning if you have a health condition or disability after a stroke.

On this page:

Can I still go on holiday after a stroke? Types of holiday Flying after a stroke Do I need travel insurance? Travelling with medication Resources

Can I still go on holiday after a stroke?

If you're thinking about getting away, there are various holiday options to choose from with different levels of support.

If a stroke has left you with mobility problems, you may prefer to book with a specialist travel agency that can arrange care and equipment for you. Some holiday packages also include an organised programme of activities, such as sports and outdoor activities or visits to local attractions, while others only offer accommodation so that you can do your own thing.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) and holidays

We know that holidays and travel may be affected by changing social distancing rules for some time. You need to check on the latest rules about your journey and destination before travelling.

If you are more vulnerable due to a health condition, you will need to follow the advice you are given to reduce your risk of infection.

Air travel after a stroke

People often ask whether it is safe to fly after a stroke. There is no hard and fast answer to this. Most airlines will not carry someone within days of a stroke, but the rules vary between airlines and countries.

In the weeks after a stroke you are at the highest risk of another stroke. So the most important thing is to get individual advice from your hospital or GP about the likely risks of travelling.

In the UK, the Civil Aviation Authority suggests waiting 10 days after a stroke before a flight. But if your condition is stable you may be able to fly after three days.

Each airline will have its own rules on flying with medical conditions, so you need to check with the airline before flying. You may be asked to provide a doctor's note or certificate.

Immediately after a stroke, you may need to attend check-ups and have medical treatment. The full effects of a stroke may take time to emerge. You might need help with these effects, and you might need to attend therapy sessions. So it's really important to get medical advice about your own situation before you travel.

If you have a stroke caused by a clot (ischaemic stroke) you will be given medication to reduce the risk of blood clots. This needs to be taken regularly to be effective. So you need to plan carefully before travelling to make sure you have the right medications with you, and that you take them at the right times.

Carry medication in both your hold bag and hand baggage, in case any of your luggage gets lost.

If you have a stroke while on holiday, you might need to take a flight to get back home. If you have medical insurance, your insurance company should give you help and advice on medical treatment and getting back home. You can also contact the local British Consulate, which can offer advice and practical support.

Travel and blood circulation

During a flight, the air pressure inside an aeroplane cabin is lower than it is on the ground. So when you fly, you have a bit less oxygen in your blood than normal. This may affect certain people with a heart problem or breathing condition, so ask your GP if this applies to you.

On a long flight, you are likely to be inactive for a period of time which makes you more likely to develop a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). A DVT is a blood clot in a vein, often in the leg.

The best way to reduce the risk of a DVT on any long journey is to drink plenty of water, and stay active. Simple exercises like flexing your ankles or walking around will improve your blood flow. Do this regularly during the journey.

If you have had a DVT in the past, and you don't take anti-coagulation medication, ask your GP for advice before a long journey.

Some travellers wear compression stockings during a flight. However, you should not wear these if you have peripheral artery disease (PAD). This condition reduces blood flow in your legs, so wearing the stockings can reduce blood flow too much. Ask your GP or pharmacist for individual advice.

Getting around the airport

All European airports should have facilities to help you move through the airport and get on and off the plane if you have reduced mobility. Airline crew are not able to provide personal care, and the airline may insist that you travel with a companion if you are unable to eat, understand safety briefings or reach emergency exits without help.

Most airlines will carry two items of mobility equipment for free. This should be in addition to your baggage allowance. If you have a wheelchair, it will be stored in the hold. You should tell your airline, travel agent or tour operator before you travel if you're taking a battery-powered wheelchair or mobility aid.

Contact the airline to discuss your requirements, and any additional help you will need on the flight, at least 48 hours in advance.

Do I need travel insurance?

It is important to have travel insurance, especially if you are going abroad.

Make sure you declare that you've had a stroke when arranging your insurance and check that you are fully covered. Many policies will exclude conditions that you had before you took out the policy (known as pre-existing medical conditions). This varies between policies, but it could mean that you would have to pay for any costs relating to these conditions. There are specialist travel insurers that provide cover for pre-existing conditions.

Specialist insurance from All Clear

The Stroke Association has a partnership with specialist medical travel insurer AllClear Travel, which provides comprehensive cover to stroke survivors. Find out more at our travel insurance page .

Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)

The Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) replaces the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for most people. Despite the name, it allows you to receive state-provided healthcare only in European countries. Treatment is at the local cost, or sometimes for free. It will cover your treatment until you return to the UK. It also covers the treatment of pre-existing medical conditions.

It won't cover certain costs, including the cost of returning you to the UK, so you still need to get private travel insurance as well.

How to apply

Visit the Global Health Insurance Card page on Gov.uk for full details of eligibility and a link to the free application page. A GHIC is free of charge. If you are charged a fee while applying online, leave the site, go to the NHS GHIC page .

European emergency number: 112

Dial 112 from anywhere in the UK or Europe to be connected to local emergency services.

Travelling with medication

If you carry medication or medical equipment such as syringes in your hand luggage, you should bring documentation like a doctor's letter. You should also carry a copy of your prescription. As well as helping you avoid any problems at airline security and customs, this will be useful if you need medical help while you're away.

Make sure you take enough medication with you in case you are unexpectedly delayed. If you are travelling across time zones, ask your pharmacist for advice about timing your medication.

It may be possible to take oxygen cylinders on board a plane. You need to contact the airline about this before you book.

Liquid medication

Current rules on liquids in hand luggage say that you can only take containers of up to 100ml. However, you can carry liquid medication of more than 100ml in hand luggage, as long as you have a doctors letter. Airport staff may need to open the containers to screen the liquids at the security point. For more information about this, contact the airline.

Check before you fly

Always contact the airline or travel company if you have any questions about health conditions or support for disabled travellers. There may be restrictions on taking medications into some countries or specific health advice on travel in a particular area.

Check beforehand with the embassy of the country you're travelling to, or check the government's foreign travel advice.

Resources available

Accessible formats available

• Download our PDF and large print Word document Holidays and stroke.
• Order your printed copy from our shop.
• Request a braille copy by emailing [email protected].

Related pages

Useful links.