Medicine & health

Eurowings may deny the carriage of passengers on grounds of their physical condition, a pre-existing condition or the state of their health. Alternatively, Eurowings may first require assessment of a passenger`s air travel fitness. Such an assessment of their air travel fitness after certain illnesses (for instance, a stroke or lung disease), injuries incurred from an accident or when suffering from a chronic ailment is undertaken by Eurowings` medical service.

The following cases require medical clearance to fly from Eurowings:

• After a major surgery

• In the weeks following the onset of a serious illness

• Passengers who must be transported lying down

• Passengers who require additional oxygen or other medical equipment on board

Should one the above-mentioned apply to you, Eurowings is required to assess your health records and verify whether you are in a suitable condition to fly. Please have your doctor complete the Medical Information Form (MEDIF) and send it to our customer service. The form supplies the basic information needed for medical clearance to fly from Eurowings.

The following cases do not require medical clearance to fly from Eurowings:

• Passengers with disabilities from birth or which have remained unchanged over a long period.

• Passengers who require the use of a wheelchair due to impairment to their musculoskeletal and motor system (inflammatory or degenerative) resulting from an illness such as multiple sclerosis or brittle bone disease. More information on this can be found on the page "Accessible travel".

• Passengers with a mild form of chronic bronchitis or asthma who do not suffer attacks and who are suitably treated with their own medication and who do not require oxygen on board.

• Passengers who have suffered a heart attack more than several weeks in the past and which was treated without complications.
  

In all cases mentioned above, please consult your doctor in advance! Only they are in a position to decide whether you are actually fit to fly.

Eurowings generally recommends that all passengers with pre-existing conditions or allergies always carry their medication with them in their hand baggage. When doing so, the following applies:

• Securely pack your medication against breakage and knocks to prevent liquids from leaking and tablets from breaking.
  

• If possible, distribute your medication across several items of hand baggage.

• Take approximately one and half to two times the expected required amount of medication in your hand baggage to account for any flight delays.

• Please note that it is not possible for your medication to be stored in a cool place by our cabin crew. Onboard cooling is possible with the use of freezer packs or dry ice. More information on this is available on the page "Prohibited items and dangerous goods in your baggage".

• When carrying larger quantities of medication and injections (insulin, EpiPen) in hand baggage, we advise you to bring a doctor´s certificate confirming that you personally require this medication.

Flying is generally fine for women who have an uncomplicated pregnancy. Nevertheless, we recommend pregnant women talk to their gynaecologist in advance about their upcoming flight.

Expectant mothers who have an uncomplicated pregnancy can fly with Eurowings
up to the end of the 36th week of pregnancy without producing a gynaecologist’s certificate. However, from the 28th week of pregnancy, it is recommended to carry an up-to-date medical certificate with the following information noted by your doctor:

Confirmation that your pregnancy is considered uncomplicated

Confirmation that your pregnancy does not prevent you from travelling by air

Calculated date of birth

If you have any questions or want further information about air travel during pregnancy, please contact our Customer Service.

Before your trip

In some countries, different rules apply to the Eurowings requirements mentioned. Before your planned flight, find out from official sources in the country you are flying to whether there are any specific rules in place about permissions for expectant mothers to fly.

Eurowings does not accept liability in the event that you are not granted approval to fly or are refused entry to the country of destination due to country-specific legislation.

During the flight

There is an increased risk of thrombosis during pregnancy, so we recommend that pregnant women wear compression socks on board the aircraft.

If you often travel by plane, the Frequent Traveller’s Medical Card (FREMEC) can make air travel easier. Specially designed for frequent flyers with restricted air travel capabilities, the card contains all the important data needed for your care. This then replaces the Medical Information Form (MEDIF), which otherwise would have to be completed each time the passenger flies.

Your individual service package is also based on the FREMEC data. Please therefore use our contact form to notify us of your card number with every booking request so that we can make all necessary arrangements for you.

FREMEC is valid for all IATA-registered airlines. You can apply for the card through the Eurowings Customer Service. The duration of your card’s validity is determined by one of our doctors based on your medical condition.

There are many causes for allergies and intolerances, and it is not possible to exclude the possibility of their presence on board a plane. However, the HEPA (high efficiency particulate air filter) filters used on board can help passengers suffering from cat hair and house-dust allergies. The filtration system circulates the cabin air (max. 40–50%), which is then supplemented with outside air. The minimum fresh air quantity and pore diameter of the filter are also prescribed by the approval regulations of the aircraft model.

Meals and snacks are served during Eurowings flights. Passengers are also allowed to bring their own food on board. For this reason, Eurowings is unable to guarantee that the aircraft is free of foodstuffs that may trigger an allergic reaction, such as peanuts.

Our medically trained cabin crew always has access to medication to provide emergency medical care in the event of an intolerance or allergic shock on board. We do recommend also carrying any necessary medication (allergy medication, EpiPen) in your hand baggage should you suffer from any allergies.

Passengers with respiratory illnesses can take their own oxygen system on board. Please contact our Customer Service by email at least 72 hours before departure to ensure that any requirements can be met. A check of fitness for air travel must also be carried out before the flight.

Sleep therapy devices and oxygen concentrators

Passengers with sleep apnoea who need to use a sleep therapy device (CPAP device) and passengers with lung diseases who need an oxygen concentrator (PPOC device) can take these on board in addition to their normal hand baggage. Please note, however, that the sleep therapy device can only be started up on battery power. Power supply via on-board power cannot be guaranteed. We recommend that you take the device description and a certificate of authenticity with you in case you need to present it at security checks.

Please register the therapy device by email to our Customer Service, stating the following technical details:

Make and model

Weight

Dimensions (length x height x width)

Our form for passengers with special support needs must also be completed and submitted to us at least 72 hours before departure. Transport and flight are not permitted without prior registration and a certificate that you are fit for flight.

Please also attach a medical statement indicating that you are fit for an interruption of your oxygen supply during take-off and landing and when you leave your seat (critical flying phases). This can be a simple letter written by a doctor on their letterhead with the date, their signature and stamp.

Oxygen cylinders

Personal gaseous oxygen cylinders for on-board oxygen supply can generally be carried with you onto the plane. The following conditions of carriage apply in these cases:

One oxygen cylinder per person.

The oxygen cylinder must not weigh more than 5 kg and must not have more than 200 bars of pressure.

The cylinder, valve and regulator must be protected against damage and external influences when put together and must not be able to release the contents of the cylinder unintentionally.

Please register your oxygen cylinder by emailing Customer Service and providing the technical details for it in your email. Please also attach a medical certificate indicating that you are fit for an interruption of your oxygen supply during take off and landing and when you leave your seat. This certificate can be a simple letter written by a doctor on his or her letterhead with the date, his or her signature and his or her stamp.

We have compiled some important information in the following section for passengers affected by diabetes mellitus.

Before your trip

Talk to your doctor about the amount and type of insulin injections you need before you travel.

Have a detailed travel injection plan drawn up. This way, you know when and how much insulin you need to take.

For westbound flights where you cross time zones, you should eat an extra meal and have an extra insulin dose (in consultation with your doctor) due to the longer daytime hours.
In contrast, the length of the day shortens for eastbound flights. In this case, talk to your doctor before the trip so that you know how much less insulin to inject on the day of the trip.

Take double the amount of medicines and supplies you need (preferably in your hand baggage and suitcase) so that you always have some spare in case of emergencies.

Eurowings does not provide refrigeration for medication. Please ensure sufficient cooling by taking a cool box with you (hand baggage dimensions must be complied with).

After arriving

Please note that insulin should be stored at refrigerator temperature (between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius). It can be transported for up to 24 hours uncooled, but never at temperatures above 25 degrees Celsius.

After the first night in the destination country, it might be advisable to take an extra check of your blood sugar, and possibly take another meal with carbohydrates so your body gets the nutrients it needs.

In case of diarrhea or vomiting, it is essential to consult a doctor on location who will check your fluid balance and adjust the insulin dose if necessary. It is therefore essential that you carry the documents necessary for treatment abroad with you. Ask your doctor or health insurance company for more information

If you are fitted with a pacemaker, you must present a medical certificate at the security gate. You can obtain such a certificate from your doctor. Before your journey, please also inform yourself about the possible risks associated with airline travel, such as the use of full body scanners at security gates.

Medical equipment, such as dialysis machines or sleep therapy devices, are carried by us at no extra charge. Security precautions require that these also adhere to the weight and size restrictions on hand baggage. Should your medical equipment exceed these restrictions, we kindly ask you to pack them suitably for transport in the baggage hold.

Please register your medical equipment by email with our customer service, including the following information:

Brand and model

Weight

Dimensions (length x heigth x depth)

Due to long periods of sitting with little movement, such as on long flights, in very rare cases a blood clot can develop on the wall of the vein in persons at risk, which is called thrombosis.

Preventive measures against travel thrombosis:

• Wearing compression stockings or tights when travelling can significantly reduce fluid retention in the legs. High-risk groups are advised to additionally have such stockings individually adjusted to their needs.

• Try to move regularly during the flight. For example, follow the Flyrobic exercise routine offered by Eurowings. It can be accessed via the screens on long-distance flights.

• Please ensure you also drink enough liquids during the flight to compensate for the dry air inside the cabin.

• Limit your alcohol consumption and avoid sleeping pills or sedatives.

• We urgently recommend people in high-risk groups to consult their doctor. In some cases, the preventative use of blood-thinning medication may be necessary to prevent blood clotting.

Groups of people at a higher risk of developing travel-associated thrombosis:

• People over 60 years old

• People who have previously suffered from thrombosis

• People suffering from a malignant condition

• People who have a significant clotting disorder

• People who are obese

• People who have recently had surgery

• Women who take birth control pills and who also smoke

• Expectant mothers

Changes in pressure, restricted visibility and the motion of the airplane can cause some people to suffer from travel sickness when flying. This can manifest itself in a feeling of nausea or dizziness. The following section offers a selection of tips on dealing with travel sickness.

When booking your flight:

• When booking your flight, select a seat in the central aisle over the wings. The motion of the plane is felt here the least.

• If this isn´t possible, book a window seat. If you are flying during the day, you can reduce the feeling of nausea by focusing a point on the horizon, thus providing your sense of balance with a point of reference.
  

   

Before your journey:

• Do not fly on an empty stomach. Despite the assumption that this helps against travel sickness, the opposite is true: It actually promotes it. Instead, a light meal of fruit, vegetables, salad, crackers, a muesli bar or toast before and during the flight is recommended.
  

• Avoid coffee, black tea, alcohol, nicotine and spicy, rich foods.
  

• Eat foods rich in vitamin B1, such as artichoke, fish, porridge, brown rice, asparagus and wheat. This contributes significantly to the transmission of nerve impulses and helps alleviate balance problems among people suffering from travel sickness.
  

• In addition to such natural aids, you can also take over-the-counter medication such as travel chewing gum. This alleviates symptoms associated with travel sickness, such as tiredness and impaired concentration. Medication for suppressing nausea is also exists. However, the potential side effects of these means that they require a prescription.
  

When travelling to significantly warmer or colder regions, your body needs some time to adjust to the change in climate. A rapid change in temperature, especially from cold to warm climates, puts an increased strain on your circulatory system. There are some helpful tips in the following section to help you cope with a change of climate.

Before your trip
Take frequent saunas to train your body to adapt to the anticipated temperature change. Alternating shower temperatures (hot then cold) can also promote your cardiovascular system. Sunbeds can prepare your skin for increased sun exposure, but will not affect your biorhythm.

After arriving

If possible, wear clothes appropriate to the climate of your destination country as soon as you get off the plane. When travelling to southern countries in particular, remember to bring a hat. In particular, travellers who are significantly overweight or those with heart or lung diseases should avoid physical exertion in the first few days after a flight.
Depending on the expected humidity in the destination country, you should make a conscious effort to drink more fluids than you usually would to support the body in regulating its temperature. As a rule: the drier the air, the more you should drink.