6 Helpful Tips for Flying While Injured

Flying is challenging enough when you’re healthy, but traveling with an injury adds layers of complexity. Thankfully, you’re not the first to ever do it. Plenty of people do it successfully every year, and you can too. 

Here are some of the steps you’ll need to take.

• Get Medical Clearance Before Booking

Don’t assume you’re fit to fly just because you can physically get to the airport. Recent surgeries, certain medical conditions, and severe injuries may make air travel dangerous or prohibited. It’s not just sitting still for long hours that’s potentially dangerous. You also have to think about pressure changes and reduced oxygen levels at altitude, as these can complicate healing or trigger serious medical issues.

Contact your doctor at least a week before your planned flight to discuss whether flying is safe given your specific injury. Details will matter here, as your doctor might clear you for a two-hour direct flight but recommend against a ten-hour international journey with connections.

If you’re involved in a personal injury claim, you’ll also want to contact your attorney to make sure traveling won’t jeopardize any details of your case.

• Request Special Assistance When Booking

Airlines provide various services for passengers with mobility limitations, but you must request them in advance. When booking your flight, notify the airline about your injury and specify what assistance you need. (Don’t wait until you arrive at the airport hoping someone will help.)

Wheelchair assistance is available at most airports for passengers who can’t walk long distances. Specify whether you need a wheelchair just through the terminal or all the way to your aircraft seat. For serious mobility limitations, request an aisle chair that can navigate narrow aircraft aisles and help you reach your seat.

• Prepare for Security Screening

Airport security can be complicated when you’re injured. To ensure you have plenty of time to get to your gate before your flight boards, arrive at the airport at least an hour earlier than you normally would. Security screening takes longer when TSA needs to inspect medical devices, manually check casts or braces, or provide assistance navigating the checkpoint. 

You have the right to request private screening if your injury requires you to remove clothing or expose sensitive areas. Don’t feel pressured to display your injury publicly if you’re uncomfortable doing so. TSA agents should offer private screening automatically, but you can specifically request it.

• Pack Strategically for Your Needs

Your carry-on becomes very important when injured, because you need immediate access to things like medication, ice packs, etc. This should go without saying, but don’t check anything you might need during the flight.

• Bring extra medication beyond what you’d normally need. Flight delays or cancellations could extend your trip unexpectedly, so you’ll want to bring at least two extra days’ worth of medications in your carry-on. 
• Ice packs or instant cold packs help manage swelling and pain during flights. Frozen gel packs are allowed through security if completely frozen solid. Alternatively, purchase ice packs after security or ask flight attendants for ice in bags once aboard.
• Pillows or cushions provide support and comfort that airline seats don’t offer. Travel pillows, inflatable lumbar supports, or even small throw pillows from home can make long flights much more tolerable.

Spend some time thinking about what you’ll need. This is not the kind of trip where you want to pack at the last minute. You’ll want to begin the process well in advance.

• Keep Moving Within Your Limitations

Sitting for a long time during a flight increases your risk of blood clots, worsens swelling, and causes stiffness. You need to move as much as your injury allows without aggravating your condition.

If your injury permits, walk the aisle every hour or two. Even brief movement like this can help maintain circulation. If you can’t walk, perform seated exercises like ankle circles, leg extensions, or arm movements, depending on which body parts you can safely move.

It’s also important that you stay hydrated throughout the flight. Dehydration worsens swelling and slows healing. With this in mind, drink water regularly, even if it means more bathroom trips. The movement required for bathroom visits actually benefits you by preventing prolonged immobility.

• Plan Ground Transportation Carefully

Don’t overlook how you’ll get from the airport to your destination. If you requested wheelchair assistance at the airport, consider whether you need accessible transportation on the ground as well.

Pre-arrange transportation that accommodates your injury. If you use crutches or a wheelchair, ensure your ride can handle these mobility aids. Rental cars might not work if you can’t safely operate them with your injury. However, rideshare services can be requested with accessibility features when needed.

Plan For a Smooth Trip

Flying while injured requires extra planning, but thousands of people do it successfully every day. By taking the time to plan, you can make sure your experience is as smooth and pain-free as possible. Here’s to a quick recovery!