Dear Sky Steward,
On a flight from London to Rome, I had the very strange experience of sitting near an ill passenger that monopolized the crew’s time as well as generally disrupted the flight. The 60-ish woman was traveling with her two 20-something daughters.
We were all sick of this lady by the time we reached 30,000 feet
During the boarding process, the lady informed the flight attendant that she was in pain and the flight attendant suggested that she remain in London. The passenger scoffed at the suggestion and emphatically stated that she would be flying to Rome and asked to be left alone. Unfortunately she took back the request once the plane was airborne.
Fly healthy! Holidays are much more enjoyable!
Getting sick on an airplane
Throughout the flight, this lady rang her call light over and over again, demanding pain relievers which the flight attendants did not have (for dispensing to passengers). She moaned and groaned and made all of us in her immediate area miserable! Her daughters even created additional drama a la Shirley Maclain in Terms of Endearment (watch scene below) as they demanded the flight attendants do something!
My question– is it proper Jetiquette to fly ill?
Signed,
Hot Headed in Hollywood
Dear Hot Headed,
Flying ill is something that The Sky Steward frowns upon (so much so it has caused deep frown lines to form on his face which may require surgery). In many cases, traveling while sick can inflict illness on the many others sharing terminal and cabin spaces. Although something like a urinary tract infection is not a threat to others; this situation demonstrates how traveling ill has the potential to inconvenience others nonetheless. So, to answer your question, proper Jetiquette would call for postponing or canceling a trip in the event of illness; not only for one’s personal health but in consideration of others as well.
Canceling a non-refundable ticket creates a credit with the airline that may be used later minus a change-fee of up to $150. Oh well, sickness happens and not everyday…so we must get over the money as well as the illness itself.
This scene illustrates how the daughters were acting perfectly: Click to play
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