Travelling With a Cast

Harchester

I broke a bone in my foot last week, and am flying to Portugal on July 5th with Aer Lingus, I have a plaster cast on at the moment but I have a hospital appointment on Thursday, does anyone know what the rules are with regards to flying with a cast and crutches?

Procrastastudy

Actually Ryan Air is great for this. You can book three seats and you're good to go. You really need to check with Aer Lingus as this will very much depend on the air line. Some are grand others won't let you fly - some its somewhere in the middle.

mikedragon32

OP, it won't be a problem. You should advise Aer Lingus that you'll be in a cast and they will probably stick you in a row with improved leg-room (but NOT an exit row). Give the reservations center a call.

Procrastastudy

Also be aware of:

http://www.aerlingus.com/help/help/specialassistance/#d.en.1329

If you're going to the hospital anyway it might be worth getting a clearance anyway. Whether a foot is a limb, an extremity or an apendage I'm not sure Bear in mind you may need the cast split.

Always make sure you contact an airline in advance of you have any injuries. There are so many rules that vary between air lines its a very bad idea to just assume it will be okay.

I don't think it will apply in your case but sometimes you may even have to see a specalist doctor who has an avaition medicine qualification. Happened to me twice but to be fair that was for training aircraft.

A good friend of mine flies air amblulance services out of Kidlington in Oxfordshire - it amazing what he has to go pick up becuase the regular air lines have refused travel. He's also the best advert for travel insurance I've ever seen! Thousands to pick up someone from Tenerife who got pissed and fell over badly hurting themsevles - not a great way to end your hols

coylemj

OP, the people in the hospital should be well up on the rules and procedures observed by all of the airlines that fly out of Ireland because they will have dealt with patients before and after they flew so they'll have had plenty of feedback from their patients as to how they got on.

Mention your flight plans them on Thursday and see what they say, they may have to change the cast to one that can be opened (or loosened) and closed because the reduced pressure on the plane will leave you vulnerable to DVT.

I've travelled with people with casts and they all had paperwork to show they were cleared for travel by their doctor, otherwise they won't let you board.

Stinicker

Hope this dosen't happen you OP