Tips and rules for flying with a cold - Flightright (2024)

The most important facts about flying with a cold

  • Whether you should board the plane with mild cold symptoms such as a cold and headache depends on your actual state of health, the symptoms and your preparation for the flight.
  • If you have extreme symptoms, especially a high fever or severe respiratory symptoms, you should postpone your trip.
  • If you have a cold, you should prepare yourself due to the risk of infection for staff and other travelers and wear a mask in enclosed spaces, wash your hands regularly, keep your distance and observe coughing and sneezing etiquette.
  • For your own well-being during your flight with a cold, use decongestant nasal sprays, drink plenty of fluids, take medication with you to relieve symptoms and take care of your body before, during and after the flight.


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The flight is booked, the accommodation is reserved and the suitcases are packed – but then you feel a scratchy throat and a runny nose? That sounds like a cold. We clarify the question of whether you can start your journey like this and give you some important rules and helpful advice to help you reach your destination unharmed.

What is a cold?

A cold, also known as a flu-like infection, is a common viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. It is usually caused by different types of viruses. The typical symptoms are a runny or blocked nose, sore throat, mild headache and aching limbs and occasionally a slight fever.

Can you fly if you have a cold?

A common question travelers ask is – there is no clear yes or no answer. You should assess your own health to make an informed decision before you travel.

Can you fly with cold symptoms?

In principle, it is possible to fly with mild cold symptoms. However, typical symptoms such as a blocked nose or earache will make the flight more uncomfortable. The difference in pressure in the aircraft cabin often exacerbates these symptoms and causes additional discomfort.

Under what circ*mstances are you not allowed to fly?

If you have extremely pronounced cold symptoms, which are more indicative of flu or bronchitis, it is advisable to postpone your trip in order to spare yourself and avoid infecting others. You should also avoid flying on vacation if you have a serious illness such as chickenpox or measles.

What symptoms mean you should not fly?

Extreme symptoms of illness indicate that you should avoid flying. These include severe fever and respiratory symptoms, severe headaches and persistent nausea, as well as general malaise. These are just some of the symptoms that mean you should be in bed and not on an airplane.

Are you having trouble with a cancellation or flight delay and don’t want to accept it without doing anything? You shouldn’t either. After all, you are entitled to compensation in many cases of delay or cancellation.

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To fly with a cold or not to fly?

Tips and rules for flying with a cold - Flightright (1)

The decision whether or not to board the plane depends on your state of health, the severity of your symptoms and the potential risk of infection for other travelers. To be on the safe side, you can seek medical advice before you travel.

Cancel a flight or fly with a cold?

This decision is a personal consideration between the urgency of the trip and your own well-being. If it is possible to cancel and the trip is not absolutely necessary, we advise you to postpone your trip to speed up your recovery.

What to do if you have to fly with a cold?

You have to take the booked flight at all costs and are asking yourself: What should you do if you have a cold and have to fly? Prepare yourself with the following measures to protect yourself and other air travelers.

Measures to protect yourself during the flight

  • Wear a mask to minimize the risk of transmitting diseases.
  • Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or use a disinfectant.
  • Try to keep a certain distance from other air travelers.
  • Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing and use the crook of your arm or a handkerchief instead of your hands.
  • Try to choose a window seat, as this allows less contact with other passengers than an aisle seat.
  • After landing, disinfect all surfaces such as armrests, tables and handles with disinfectant wipes.

Why can flying with a cold be dangerous?

You should be aware that there is a risk of infecting the flight crew and other travelers. For yourself, there is a risk that the typical cold symptoms will be exacerbated by the pressure differences during the flight. This will only delay your recovery and may even lead to a worsening of your state of health.

Tips for flying with a mild cold

  • If you are still going to fly, it is best to follow these recommendations:
  • Use decongestant nasal sprays to clear your sinuses and reduce the strain on your middle ear caused by the change in pressure.
  • Drink plenty of water and avoid alcoholic beverages to stay hydrated and prevent dehydration of the mucous membranes.
  • Take appropriate medication to alleviate the symptoms of a cold, such as painkillers for headaches and aching limbs.
  • Try to rest during the flight and avoid excessive exertion so as not to put additional strain on your body.
  • Ensure good hand hygiene by washing your hands regularly or using disinfectant.

Tips for equalizing pressure despite having a cold

The so-called Valsalva maneuver is often used to equalize pressure, in which you exert pressure on the sinuses by breathing out through the nose, but holding it closed and keeping your mouth closed at the same time.

However, it is not advisable to do this if you are ill, as the additional pressure on the sinuses can cause discomfort in the middle ear. It is better to follow our recommendations:

  • Use decongestant nasal sprays.
  • Chew several pieces of gum.
  • Yawn or swallow regularly.
  • Use special ear muffs.

FAQ: Flying with a cold

To put all your possible worries at ease, we answer other frequently asked questions about flying with a cold below.

Can children fly with a cold?

Children can usually fly too, but parents should take into account the severity of the symptoms. Be prepared for their discomfort to only get worse. Seek medical advice from your pediatrician or family doctor if necessary.

Why use nasal spray when flying?

Nasal sprays help to equalize the pressure in the ears by decongesting the mucous membranes and clearing the sinuses and ears.

Do earplugs help when flying?

Special earplugs or earmuffs help to equalize the pressure as they regulate the air circulation in the ear and reduce possible discomfort.

Can you fly with a cough?

You can fly by plane even if you have a slight cough. However, you should consider your own state of health and the risk of infection for other passengers. If you have a severe or persistent cough, it is advisable to seek medical advice and postpone your trip if necessary.

Can you fly with a cold?

You can normally fly with a mild cold. However, individual symptoms, pressure equalization and the potential risk of infection for other passengers must be taken into account.

Is flying with a cold dangerous?

As a rule, flying with a cold does not pose any direct dangers. However, the pressure differences in the aircraft cabin can cause unpleasant symptoms such as pain in the ear.

Can I fly with the flu?

It is recommended not to fly with flu, especially if the symptoms are severe or accompanied by a fever.

Conclusion on flying with a cold

Flying with a slight cold is possible, but requires consideration. Assess how ill you feel, the urgency of the trip and consider postponing if you have severe symptoms or serious health concerns. If you choose to fly, prepare to protect yourself and avoid infecting other passengers.

How can Flightright help you?

Are you stuck at the airport due to a flight delay? Your flight has been canceled or you have been removed from the passenger list (denied boarding)?

In each of the situations described, you as a passenger have a right to compensation.

According to the EU Passenger Rights Regulation, passengers are entitled to compensation in the event of a delay, cancellation, overbooking, or missed connection. You can claim up to 600 euros of compensation per person (minus commission fee). This compensation is independent of the ticket price. Flightright enforces your right for you. If necessary also in court.

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As the market-leading consumer portal, Flightright fights for the enforcement of air passenger rights. We stand up for your rights in the event of a flight delay, cancellation or denied boarding and refer to the European Union’s Air Passenger Rights Regulation 261/2004. Flightright’s air passenger rights experts are also happy to help you with ticket refunds and refunds for canceled package tours.

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Tips and rules for flying with a cold - Flightright (2024)

FAQs

Tips and rules for flying with a cold - Flightright? ›

The most important facts about flying with a cold

How do you prepare for a flight with a cold? ›

Top Tips for Flying with a Cold
  1. Stay Hydrated. If you have a cold, it is important to stay hydrated! ...
  2. Pack Gum. Chew gum or hard candy during your flight, especially during take-off and landing, to help equalise pressure. ...
  3. Carry Medication. ...
  4. Practice Good Wellbeing. ...
  5. Ask for Cabin Crew Assistance.

Will airlines let you fly with a cold? ›

Although in the vast majority of cases, an airline will not step in if you have a cough, they are allowed to deny boarding to passengers if they feel someone is too ill to make the trip or could be infectious. However, this is very rare.

Should you fly with a cold pilot? ›

If a medical condition inhibits your ability to safely operate the aircraft, you must stay grounded. While it's possible to operate an aircraft with a minor illness like a cold or the flu, flying when you're under the weather is never a good idea.

How to avoid getting a cold on a plane? ›

Ways to prevent getting sick on a plane
  1. Wash your hands and use hand sanitizer with 60% or more alcohol.
  2. Clean the airplane seat with sanitizing wipes.
  3. Wear a mask, even when not required.
  4. Pick a window seat.
  5. Keep your things in overhead bins.
  6. Travel with your medicine.
  7. Travel with electrolytes.
  8. How to maximize your rewards.
Aug 30, 2023

What is the best decongestant before flying? ›

1. About one hour before expected descent, take a decongestant (such as Sudafed- 12hr). 2. About 30 minutes before the flight use a nasal spray (such as Afrin or Neo-Synephrine).

What is the best decongestant for flying with a cold? ›

If you have a cold, try decongestants: Decongestant nose sprays, including oxymetazoline (like Afrin) or phenylephrine (like Neo-Synephrine or Little Remedies) reduce swelling in the back of the nose at the opening of the Eustachian tube, which improves your ear's ability to equalize the air pressure.

When should you not fly with a cold? ›

Extreme symptoms of illness indicate that you should avoid flying. These include severe fever and respiratory symptoms, severe headaches and persistent nausea, as well as general malaise.

What happens if I fly with a cold? ›

Flying whilst infected with a cold increases the risk of physical damage to the inner ear and sinuses.

When should you not fly? ›

recent heart attack. recent stroke. recent operation or injury where trapped air or gas may be present in the body (e.g. stomach ,bowel, eyes, face, brain) severe long term diseases that affect your breathing.

Do flights cancel for extreme cold? ›

"Only low temperatures will not normally affect flights, planes fly in much colder temperatures at 30-35,000 ft.. Ice and snow are much more likely to cancel flights than just cold temperatures."

Can a pilot fly with a stuffy nose? ›

The safest rule is not to fly while suffering from any illness. If this rule is considered too stringent for a particular illness, the pilot should contact an aviation medical examiner for advice.

Can I fly with a stuffy nose? ›

Most doctors would agree that avoiding flying when you have an active sinus or ear infection is the best way to prevent pain and possible complications, but if flying is a necessity, decongestants can be used in an attempt to overcome some of the blockages to air circulation.

Why does my nose run on the plane? ›

The dry air and low pressure in plane cabins can wreak havoc on your sinuses, so it's important to stay hydrated. Some experienced flyers suggest drinking between five and eight glasses of water before flying.

Does wearing a mask on a plane help prevent getting sick? ›

Masking is a critical public health tool for preventing the spread of respiratory diseases. When people properly wear a high-quality mask or respirator, they protect themselves and those around them, and help keep travel safer for everyone.

How to keep your throat moist on a plane? ›

Plenty of fluids to drink

This decreases your chance of having a dry throat and cold symptoms after your trip. Try to drink at least eight ounces of water per every one hour of flight time to help keep your body at the best germ-fighting capacity.

Can I be denied boarding if I have a cold? ›

Contagious Illness: If you have a highly contagious illness, such as a severe cold, influenza, or a contagious viral infection, the airline might deny your boarding to prevent the spread of the illness to other passengers and crew members.

What to do if you get sick before traveling? ›

The most important thing you can do if you feel yourself getting sick before setting off on a trip is rest. When you sleep, your body is more able to fight off infections – so get as much sleep as you can!

Can you take DayQuil before flying? ›

Most medications not labeled “PM” are usually safe for flight, but there are some exceptions. It's important to look at all the active ingredients. Anything that contains dextro-methorphan (that includes Dayquil®) is not allowed. Another common ailment is gastrointestinal illness.

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