This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

TIA and fitness to fly (flying)

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

  • epilepsy - contraindications to flying include frequent or uncontrolled fits, or a within 24 hours of a grand mal fit. Passengers with a history of a loss of consciousness or infrequent fits should be accompanied by a responsible companion. The patient should be advised that air travel may precipitate fits due to a variety of reasons e.g. fatigue, disturbance of circadian rhythm

  • skull fracture or brain surgery - flying should be avoided for 10 to 14 days to allow absorption of any air that may be inside the skull due to trauma or surgery

  • stroke - in general, flying is contraindicated for 7 to 10 days following a ischaemic stroke (2). Flying is contraindicated for 14 days following a haemorrhagic stroke (2). Oxygen may be required

  • TIA - may be accepted as fit to fly if
    • after 2 days and proper investigation (3)

Note that these are only guidelines and each airline has its own regulations and medical standards.

Reference:

  1. 'Medical guidelines for air travel', Aviation, Space and Environmental Medicine, October 1996, 67, 10, 11.
  2. Doctor (April 2005). Ready Reckoner - fitness to fly.
  3. International Air Transport Association. Medical Manual 11th Edition (2018).

Related pages

Create an account to add page annotations

Add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation, such as a web address or phone number. This information will always be displayed when you visit this page

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.