Flying with Lymphoedema: My Tried and Tested Travel Routine

Flying with Lymphoedema: My Tried and Tested Travel Routine

As a self-employed dancer, I travel frequently for work, often internationally. Alongside this, I love exploring new cities all around the world. As a result, I typically take around 10–20 flights per year.

With Lymphoedema, flying has many additional challenges. Changes in cabin pressure with prolonged periods of sitting down can significantly exacerbate swelling and my discomfort level. However, through experience, I have developed an effective routine to manage my condition while travelling.

Aeroplane protocol

Some of the key strategies I follow include:

Keep Moving

• Moving as frequently as possible throughout the flight

• Gently wiggling my toes and rotating my ankles while seated

• Regularly bending and straightening my knee

• Walking up and down the aisle approximately once every hour (when safe/permitted)

• Using light self-massage techniques to encourage lymphatic flow

Hydration

• Ensuring I am well-hydrated in the 1–2 days leading up to travel

• Bringing a refillable water bottle and regularly drinking water during the flight

• Continuing to hydrate after landing to support ongoing lymphatic drainage

Compression Management

• Religiously wearing compression garments in the days prior to flying

• Layering compression during the flight for optimal support. I wear a thigh high compression, toe cap, layered knee length compression and my Comfiwave

• Performing lymphatic drainage massages (MLD/SLD) after landing to reduce swelling

Skin care

• Maintaining healthy and well-moisturised skin prior to travel

• Wearing comfortable and loose clothing

Avoid infection

• Being mindful to not knock or hit my affected limb to reduce the risk of infection

• Carry emergency antibiotics incase of an infection flare up

Airline support and medical accommodations

Before checking in, I always contact the airline’s assistance/disability team. I provide medical documentation and request appropriate seating on medical grounds. This adjustment is essential to manage my condition during the flight.

In most cases, airlines have been very accommodating and have honoured my requests. If arrangements have not been made in advance of check in, I have also spoken to staff when boarding to ask about available seating options which may not have been filled yet, such as:

• Empty aisle seats

• Empty extra legroom or exit row seats

• Spare seats with empty adjacent spaces

In my experience, cabin crew often assist once boarding is complete.

For longer trips, such as extended dance contracts lasting several weeks or months, I also request approval for an additional medical bag. This allows me to carry essential equipment, including:

• My lymphatic pump and leg sleeve

• Multiple spare compression garments

• Lymphoedema specific skin care

• Other medical necessities related to my condition

Airlines have consistently approved this for free under medical allowance policies, typically aligning with standard cabin baggage size and weight limits.

Below, I have included an example of a previous email request which has been successfully approved in all cases.

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