JAL | Before Departure

For Those Requesting Special Services or Consultation(Special Assistance)

Onboard Environment

After takeoff, an aircraft slowly gains altitude before reaching a height of 10,000 m and a speed of 900 km/h, just below the speed of sound. Inside the aircraft, an environment similar to that on the ground is artificially created using air conditioners and air pressurization equipment. However, this environment is still significantly different from the environment on the ground.

Onboard air pressure and fluctuation
Onboard air pressure when the aircraft is in level flight is 0.8, which is about the same environment as at 2,000 m above sea level. Since the ratio of oxygen is constant, the amount of oxygen in the air onboard is also about 80% of the level on the ground. The change in air pressure occurs onboard in the 15 to 30 minutes of ascent after takeoff and descent before landing.
Temperature
The onboard temperature is maintained at 24ºC using air conditioners.
Humidity
The longer the flight, the more the humidity drops. The humidity falls to 20% or less on long flights.
Vibration
Vibration occurs during takeoff and landing and when passing through air turbulence.
Sitting for long periods
On long-haul international flights, passengers remain seated for long periods of time.

Differences between the inflight and outside environments

At 33,000 feet

	Outside the aircraft	inflight
Air pressure	0.25	0.8
Temperature	-40～-55℃	24℃
Humidity	0%	10～20%

Common Onboard Ailments and Their Treatment

Since the onboard environment is quite unique, it causes some changes in our bodies.
For example, pain sometimes occurs in the ears due to the change in air pressure.
Here we will look at the common onboard ailments of inner ear inflammation (aerotitis) and motion sickness, as well as ways to deal with and prevent them.

Ears hurt or feel plugged up

Open

Sometimes passengers' ears may hurt or feel plugged up during takeoff and landing. This is due to the air of the middle ear behind the eardrum expanding or contracting due to changes in onboard air pressure. The inner ear is connected to the nasal cavities by a narrow passage called the Eustachian tube, and when there is a change in environmental air pressure, the pressure inside the inner ear is equalized by opening up the Eustachian tube in the nose. However, when you have a cold or nasal inflammation caused by allergies, the mucous membrane inside the nose swells up and blocks the Eustachian tube, resulting in inflammation of the inner ear.

Prevention

See your doctor about any cold (runny nose, sore throat, sneezing) or nasal inflammation due to allergies (sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose) before your trip. If you have the symptoms of a cold or have nasal inflammation due to allergies, use an over-the-counter nasal decongestant before boarding and prior to landing.

Treatment

If your ears start to hurt during the flight, try swallowing, yawning, or sucking on a candy. If this does not help, try the Valsalva maneuver (ear clearing).
First blow your nose. Then hold your nose, take a small breath, close your mouth, and blow so that air is forced out through your ears. Be careful not to blow too hard.
Finally swallow. If you need something to relieve the pain, let your flight attendant know.

Inner ear inflammation in infants

Small children sometimes cry when the aircraft is ascending or descending. This is often caused by pain in the ears. Give the child some milk or juice to drink, in order to open up the Eustachian tube.

Facial pain

Open

Nausea and vomiting

Open

Bloated stomach or stomachache

Open

Toothache

Open

Thirst, dry nose or throat, or eye pain

Open

For Passengers with Health Concerns

Just having an occasional illness does not mean that you are unable to travel by air. Besides certain exceptional cases, most people with chronic illness can travel safely overseas by making the preparations presented above and taking general precautions during the flight. Please read the following information and enjoy your trip.

General precautions

Open

Passengers with concerns about their health or who fall into the category of passengers unfit for air travel should consult their physician before flying.
Prepare documents including medical certificates, medical history, test results, names of medications being taken, treatment method if condition worsens, and a letter from the physician with his or her contact information (in English for overseas travel).
If you have any special requests for your trip, contact JAL's Special Assistance. JAL has set up Special Assistance to help passengers with health concerns and to make advance arrangements and preparations.

Special Assistance

Reduce stress as much as possible, and give yourself lots of extra time.
(1) Arrive at the airport early.
(2) We recommend that you have your large luggage delivered to the airport. Please use JAL ABC delivery service.
(3) Arrange your schedule so that your mind and body are well rested before you travel.

JAL ABC Delivery Service

Follow the general precautions during the flight and the instructions of your doctor during the flight.

General Precautions

If you feel unwell during your flight or trip, do not hesitate to notify the flight attendant, tour conductor, or hotel front desk.
Gather information on your destination, including climate, health conditions, medical treatment, religion, cultural customs, and general safety.
A credit card and travel health insurance are recommended in case of any illness or injury while abroad.
Be sure to check the details of the insurance policy.
You can also apply for the JALCARD, a credit card issued by JAL.

JAL Mileage Bank

Pregnant women

Open

As pregnancy is not an illness, air travel does not usually present health concerns for pregnant women. However, we recommend careful planning in consideration of your destination and schedule.

Precautions before travel

Consult your physician in advance to see if it is safe for you to fly.
Consult your doctor if you have any symptoms such as bleeding or morning sickness, or if you have any complications including threats of miscarriage, anemia, or toxemia of pregnancy during pregnancy.
Reduce stress as much as possible.
The best time to travel during pregnancy is the stable period between 12 and 28 weeks.

Cases when a medical certificate is required for international routes

About medical certificates or consent forms

When the expected delivery date is within 28 days.

When the due date is in 14 days or less, an obstetrician must accompany the expectant mother.
The number of infants accompanying is restricted to one, and he or she needs to have his or her own confirmed seat. Also, a child seat needs to be used for the infant's safety.
If you are traveling with an infant under 2 years old, please check the following.

Guidance for Children Traveling on International Routes

When the due date is not certain.
When multiple births may be expected
When there were previous premature births.

If you are traveling on a domestic flight, please refer to the Assistance Services for Pregnant Customers for more details.

Expectant Mothers

Medical certificates

The doctor responsible must fill in the due date, whether or not it is safe for the woman to fly, and any special precautions that should be taken during travel.
Medical certificates must be completed seven days or less before departure.

Please download the medical certificate and check the sample form.

About medical certificates or consent forms

Seat Selection

Due to the possible physical burden that may occur to pregnant passengers when support is required during an emergency evacuation, all pregnant passengers are required to reserve a non-emergency exit row seat.

Precautions during travel

An aisle seat is recommended for easy access to the lavatories.
Perform leg exercises during long-haul flights.
Fasten the seatbelt over a blanket so that pressure is not applied directly to the uterus.

Prevention and Treatment of Traveler's Thrombosis (DVT) during a Flight

Panic disorder

Open

Scuba divers

Open

Passengers requiring additional oxygen

Open

To doctors concerned

Open

Passengers not suited for air travel

Open

Heart Conditions:	Heart failure, cyanosis, unstable angina, acute myocardial infarction (occurring within the last six weeks)
Respiratory Conditions:	Breathing difficulties, chronic obstructive lung disease, pneumothorax whereby the lungs cannot be completely expanded
Other Conditions:	Recurring coughing up of blood (hemoptysis) Acute cerebral apoplexy (occurring with the last four weeks) Air remaining in the central nervous system due to brain examination, etc. Brain disease brought on by increased intracranial pressure Serious anemia Hematemesis, melena Serious inflammation of the middle ear (otitis media) Wounds that have not sufficiently healed (due to head, chest, or abdominal operations) Pregnant women expecting within 28 days or less (Permission to fly may be granted based on the testimony of the obstetrician concerned) Newly born infants less than seven days old Infectious diseases where there is a risk of infection to other passengers Unstable mental illness, alcoholism or other addiction

For Those Requesting Special Services or Consultation(Special Assistance)

JAL has set up Special Assistance to help passengers with health concerns
and to make advance arrangements and preparations.

Special Assistance

Passengers Traveling to Special Regions

JAL provides a Travel Information site (Japanese-language only) with details on all of its destinations worldwide, including climate, time differences, and availability of drinking water. This site also has links to sites for health and medical care including the National Institute of Infectious Diseases. These are very useful for planning a safe and pleasant trip.

Travel Information site "Japanese language only"

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Quarantine Station "Japanese language only"

Infectious Disease Surveillance Center (IDSC), National Institute of Infectious Disease

Before Departure

Onboard Environment

Differences between the inflight and outside environments

At 33,000 feet

Common Onboard Ailments and Their Treatment

Ears hurt or feel plugged up

Facial pain

Nausea and vomiting

Bloated stomach or stomachache

Toothache

Thirst, dry nose or throat, or eye pain

For Passengers with Health Concerns

General precautions

Pregnant women

Panic disorder

Scuba divers

Passengers requiring additional oxygen

To doctors concerned

Passengers not suited for air travel

For Those Requesting Special Services or Consultation(Special Assistance)

Passengers Traveling to Special Regions

Travel tips and extra

JAL SOCIAL MEDIA