Emergency In-Flight a thought?......

Have you ever been on a plane flying at 35,000 feet and wondered what would happen if you were to become ill? Are you certain that the airline services will be adequate to provide the necessary care? There has in fact been those who have been injured by in-flight push carts, mothers who have given birth, heart attacks, dizziness and food-borne illnesses and the list goes on

Ann-Marie Tobin of the Toronto Star provides an insight of this familiar occurance in today' Star. "There were 888 health-related issues in the air last year, including nine instances when planes were diverted for medical reasons, said Mark Frezell, director of in-flight for the airline".

In cases where it is necessary to divert an airplane due to such a medical emergency you should be aware that this could cost the airline an additional $5000. to $25,000. Perhaps this is something that should be considered for those traveling regularly by plane as it is bound to effect the future cost of flying. A link is provided to those interested in just how Air Canada handles these emergencies.

-the issue here is a concern for those traveling regularly by commercial flight and what may happen in the event of a mid-flight need for emergency care.

-the stakeholders are:

those flying regularly

people with disabilities and chronic illnesses

Air Canada

WestJet