Fly with peace of mind: How to proceed if you fall suddenly ill or travel with medical conditions
Your thoughtfully planned and eagerly awaited trip is approaching, but you can already feel the symptoms of an impending cold in your body. We want you and our staff to travel with us in good health and safety, and your well-being is our top priority before and during the flight. Read below on how to proceed if you fall ill before your flight or if you are traveling with a medical device or pre-existing medical condition.
The trip is booked and your bags are already packed, but a runny nose, itchy throat, and muscle aches suggest an impending cold. We do not recommend travelling when you are ill as it always carries a risk. Unexpected illness cannot be foreseen, but you can prepare for unexpected situations in advance by choosing a Flex or Classic ticket. The Flex ticket is the most flexible option as it is fully refundable and allows travel date changes. The Classic ticket includes the option to change travel dates.
When travelling with a Classic, Light or Superlight ticket type, you can also purchase the Finnair Cancellation Cover at the time of booking your flight. It gives you extra peace of mind and additional flexibility by allowing you to cancel flights and apply for a full refund if you or your close family member cannot travel due to suddenly getting ill or injured.
We strongly recommend travel insurance for all trips. It provides cover and peace of mind for sudden changes. Remember to always check what your travel insurance actually covers, as there are differences between insurances and their content.
Safety and comfort is our top priority
The safety and well-being of our customers and employees has always been our top priority, and it was further heightened during the coronavirus pandemic. As air travel is back in full swing, we have made sure that you and our employees can board our flights feeling safe.
We clean and disinfect our aircraft thoroughly many times every day while on the ground according to the cleaning program. Spots that are touched frequently are also disinfected carefully.
You are no longer required to wear a mask on our flights unless the authorities in your destination or origin country require it. Please check the mask requirements in your origin and destination countries before you travel.
Please stay at home if you’re sick
The common cold is an infectious disease. We do not recommend flying when you are ill due to the risk of pressure-related injuries, and it is not advisable to travel with respiratory infection symptoms. Generally, airlines cannot transport individuals who may be contagious, and we cannot allow highly symptomatic customers on board. Flying is always a physical strain, and you must be in good physical condition to travel safely. It is our staff’s responsibility to assess everyone’s physical ability to fly before the flight so that travelling is safe for everyone on board.
"Common cold during air travel is associated with the risk of pressure-related injuries in the middle ear and nasal sinuses. At its mildest, ear pressure injury can cause a feeling of ear blockage or mild pain, whereas at its most severe, it can lead to intense pain, dizziness, and even inner ear damage. Pressure injuries in the nasal sinuses can cause severe pain in the forehead, eye area, and cheeks, as well as various mucosal injuries," explains Finnair’s Medical Director Kimmo Ketola.
Cold symptoms can also worsen during your journey, and as a result, your return trip may be significantly delayed. It is good to remember that travel insurance may not cover possible illnesses that require medical treatment if the symptoms start before the trip.
If you fall ill suddenly before your flight, please cancel your reservation through the Manage booking page. If the ticket type you purchased is refundable, you can also claim a refund in Manage booking. In other cases, please contact your insurance company for reimbursement.
Travelling with medical conditions
Most people with existing medical conditions are able to fly without difficulty. However, sometimes certain precautions need to be taken and in some cases, we might request medical clearance.
If you are travelling with pre-existing medical conditions and need special assistance, please inform us by submitting the required forms or contacting our customer service well in advance. This way, we can take the necessary precautions and ensure your safety and comfort throughout the journey.
Medical devices on board
You may bring necessary assistive devices or mobility aids, such as personal oxygen concentrators (POC), apnea breathing devices (CPAP), canes or elbow crutches, into the cabin with you in addition to the carry-on baggage allowance included in your ticket. However, it's important to note that this allowance is only meant for the assistive device and does not extend to additional baggage.
If you need to use your medical device during the flight, please inform us by filling in this form well in advance, no later than 48 hours before departure. Otherwise, no prior notification is required.
If you have any additional questions, we are here to help. Please reach out to our customer service for further assistance.