I used to fly regularly once upon a time(over a decade ago). My last flight was when I had asthma early days which wasn’t well controlled. The flight experience was filled with anxiety and with asthma not being well controlled this didn’t help.
Fast forward 10 years, my asthma is well controlled and I take a preventor every day.
I am now thinking about flying again, a little anxious on how it may or may not impact my asthma.
I feel that there is a psychological element to this, and that the oxygen level in a plane is similar to say in a hotel room.
For those of you who have asthma and fly, what’s your asthma like when you are flying?
Thank you for any feedback
Written by
Saj123456
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Well, planes are pressurized to 8,000 ft (2500 meters), not to the sea level. The air is also much drier -- at 20% humidity or lower (I measured this). So, sadly the air is not the same -- unless you mean a hotel in the alps at 2500 meters, with 200 people per room :).
Last time I took a 2 hr flight with poorly controlled asthma I could feel it, so I took the rescue inhaler in advance, and I am glad it was only 2 hrs. Also I was wearing a P2 mask b.c. I did not have the time to get sick with a cold on the business trip. I won't take a flight until my asthma is stable and I will make sure I have my flu and covid vaccines (which I have anyway I guess). I am lucky I have the Alps nearby, so I can drive to 2000 m and verify that I react OK to the altitude. I think it's the dry air, rather than the low oxygen, that matters the most (but I may be wrong) and having 200 people sitting in a tight space.
I have problems BUT my asthma is severe and poorly controlled and I never used to have problems flying when my asthma was mild and well controlled. Even a few years back when I was poorly controlled I didn't get problems on every flight, just sometimes when I was already struggling.
For me it's not the oxygen levels or the humidity - I'm generally ok taking off and cruising, or at least not different from on the ground. What gets me is the descent, and I'm pretty sure that's due to the pressure change specifically on descent (not on take-off for some reason, thankfully). I suspect it's a similar mechanism to what happens to my lungs in thunderstorms - which absolutely always gets put down to pollen in the air, but I know for me is the pressure changes since pollen isn't really an issue with my asthma and my reaction to thunderstorms is really quite dramatic. I can also get the same dramatic asthma response with sudden rain showers, but not if it's raining steadily. I suspect I have some permanent air trapping as well which won't help, based on what I managed to find about the science of what's going on in my airways on a plane.
If your asthma is well controlled on preventer then you will probably be fine. But I can understand why you might be alarmed if you weren't controlled last time you flew - for whatever reason, you may have had some issues then and it's understandable that you might be concerned about a repeat. But my totally non-expert opinion is that it will probably be ok now, and my problems are definitely not ones everyone has!
Could you maybe test things out with a short flight somewhere close by, maybe even within the UK? Then at least if you do have any problems you're not stuck on the plane for hours and you don't have to worry about what happens at the other end. If that goes ok then you might feel much more confident about going off to the Canaries on a summer holiday or wherever it is you want to go.
Thank you for your feedback, a short flight is what I was thinking. A one hour flight is not to long, and I would imagine maybe not long enough to impact one’s asthma.
It’s also mind over matter and that’s half the battle I guess. Overcoming the anxiety and not focusing to much on a bad experience in the past.
I've not flown for a few years & I've such a lot of lung & airway probs in addition to severe eosinophilliac asthma. The last few times I did 4hr flight,I found it very hard with mainly asthma symptoms + relied heavily on inhalers.as yr asthma controlled,u may be much better than previously.prepare with medication in advance& to hand during flight.allow yrself plenty of time to get through the airport,perhaps a book,film,puzzles to do in flight to keep u distracted & Occupied,to reduce any stress.the short flight sounds a gd tester for U x
I flew UK to Marseille several times a year pre covid, its only 2.5 hours so all fine. I few to India & back last month, 9.5 hours there & 10.5 return and asthma was absolutely fine. I'd been worried about catching something too so wore a mask on & off & took an old ventolin & my Fostair as precautions. I didn't catch anything either. We travelled premium on Tui so not packed like sardines, I think I'll wear a mask next time on Easyjet to Marseille though.
Yes, it's fairly well controlled and I was fairly well last month plus I made sure my nose & mouth were covered in the extreme cold at Gatwick before and after flights as that usually sets me off.
I fly regularly as often have to for work and have severe and to recently poorly controlled asthma. I noticed my asthma more when waiting for the plane to taxi for take off and when waiting to disembark, as it can get stuffy during the actual flights I'm normally ok. Flew to Indonesia last year 9 hour and 11 hour flights and was fine so long as kept to my med routine.As you are anxious could try short flight just within the UK see how you get on. That way if really struggle can easily get alternate transport home
Hi, we're all different but in my experience it is just psychological as the oxygen on the plane is the same as outside. I just tend to think about other things like what I am going to do when I get where I am going and I'm fine. Hope this helps good look and happy flying.
I was diagnosed with asthma in 2018 and it is well controlled. I use 100/6 Fostair (2 in the morning, 2 in the evening plus up to 6 if needed). I fly somewhere in Europe at least twice a year (so 14 flights so far) and have not had any problems at all. I have my inhaler ready but have not needed it. I can't comment on the psychological aspect beyond saying that I enjoy flying.
Hello,I just wear a mask whenever I am flying or on any public transport. I used to cough a lot whenever I got on a plane before COVID 19. The mask has been helping me before and now. This is my situation. Have a blessed day.
I have severe asthma but don’t appear to have any issues when flying - in fact, if anything, the very dry air in a plane actually helps me as high humidity can be one of my triggers.
I always make sure I have my reliever inhaler within reach just incase - I usually put it in the seat pocket I front of me or on the tray table after take off. This means I don’t have to try and get it out of my hand luggage in an emergency.
Perhaps you could try a shirt return trip within the uk to see how you respond before trying a longer trip.
Absolutely fine to fly with fixed airways asthma, Eosinophilic asthma and bronchiectasis...did UK to Mauritius 17 hours. I'd say get up and walk to de-stress yourself, don't sit in your seat and work yourself up. I flew back from Mexico with a superficial thrombosis in my leg and walked the plane every 15 mins....10 hour flight.
This is a question best addressed to your medical practitioner who has sight of your medical history. I have very mild asthma and I flew, without any medical issues, for over 30 years - as a qualified pilot/captain on long haul passenger-carrying flights. I can honestly say that flying has had no effect on my asthma.
Initially, I had to undergo respiratory and exercise tests once a year. I also had to carry ventolin and an emergency pack of prednisolone (in case I fell ill in a remote location). By the time that I retired, my annual medical examiner never mentioned my past asthma history.
I should add that the system of clearing pilots with medical conditions to fly is a convoluted process. My Licence was limited to ‘flying as or with a co-pilot’. My niece’s husband is a SFO with British Airways. He has just had a pacemaker fitted and will return to the flight deck after 3 months again ‘as or with a co-pilot’.
I have had problems when plane reverses off the stand and air intake sucks in exhaust fumes depending on wind conditions or lack of wind. Then there are the perfume smells of people who have indulged in freebies in duty free area. I did have bad bout and unfortunately my carry on small case with ventolin had been taken into the hold. I was sitting by window and person in front threw back seat and that did not help. Eventually I was able to communicate with cabin crew to bring me so hot water and that sorted me. I think simple advice is to wear a face mask. I also now have some carbon filters to wear with a mask that should deal with chemical irritants in air.
I have lifelong severe asthma and fully understand your concern. I have been a frequent flyer for work for many years with lots of stressful presentations and activities involved. Over time I have learned that taking my preventer regularly and properly really does control my symptoms and the anxiety driven asthma just has to be put in its place.,..!! I was unable to be a bridesmaid and missed many lovely family occasions until I realised my asthma was being made worse simply by being anxious about getting an attack...enjoy your journey - prepare well and relax - headphones, a glass of champagne or a good book. PS I've just returned from Svalbard and a snowmobile trip!!!
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Flying for the first time since my asthma diagnosis 
Flying with Medication
Flying with nebuliser/asthma meds
Flying and asthma
