No legal duty to assistBut the General Medical Council (the regulatory body for UK doctors) states that doctors have an ethical duty to respond in the event of a medical emergency, including one on board an aircraft.
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The first thing to know is that off-duty doctors and other medical professionals are not legally required to help if a medical emergency arises on an airplane; however, there may be an ethical duty to intervene, as described in a 2015 article in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).
Most times the airline just absorbs the costs as the cost of doing business and ultimately passengers pay the costs as they will be built into ticket prices. In some cases an airline may pursue a civil case against the passenger.
Generally, airline personnel may not ask what specific disability the person has, but they can ask questions regarding the person's ability to perform specific air travel-related functions, such as boarding, deplaning or walking through the airport.
This doesn't mean that it's a life-or-death situation; it's all just part of the process. Research has shown that there are doctors onboard as many as 70% of all commercial flights, so the chances of someone being present are pretty high.
The Federal Aviation Administration requires commercial aircraft to carry at least one sealed emergency medical kit containing a minimum of 25 specified instruments and medications, plus first-aid kits and automated external defibrillators.
Keep your coughs at minimum by either popping cough drops as needed or taking cough medicine before you take off. Decongestants are also a good idea for that runny nose. Little Kleenex packets are available at most airports and could save your nose as well.
On average, an air ambulance flight within the United States can range from $12,000 to $55,000. Many factors contribute to air ambulance costs including: Distance: The distance to be covered is a significant factor in determining the cost of an air ambulance service.
Airborne Illnesses“You are at greater risk if the person is seated within two rows of you. But your risk is lower if the person is seated three or more rows away.” Upper respiratory infections, such as the common cold and the flu, are the most common illnesses that air travelers might be exposed to while in flight.
The flight attendants will assess the situation by asking the passenger to describe their symptoms, assuming they are lucid and conscious. Depending on the case, they will administer care themselves or consult with a medical professional on board or on the ground.