Economy-Class Syndrome Why You Sould Charter A Jet

In October 2000, a young woman in excellent health disembarked from a Qantas jet in London and collapsed in the arrival hall at Heathrow. Emma Christoffersen had spent twenty hours traveling, first taking a seven and a half hour flight from Sydney to Singapore, and then, following a hour and a half lay-over, taking a thirteen and a half hour flight from Singapore to London. Her shocking death was due to a blood clot or Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).




DVT is a blood clot that forms in a deep leg vein inside a muscle. Sitting in a cramped position for an extended time increases the risk for developing this serious condition. Long trips by airplane create the perfect conditions for elevated risk. This is why travel-related DVT has come to be known as “Economy-Class Syndrome”.

According to the American Heart Association, 1 in 1,000 Americans will develop a DVT each year. Factors that increase risk for DVT include:





Immobility

Damage to a vein

Conditions that make blood clot more easily (thrombophilia)

Being overweight

Being over the age of 60

Being pregnant

Taking estrogen based birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy

Varicose veins

Cancer or heart failure



Travelers with any of these risk factors should take measures to reduce the risk of travel-related DVT. Whether on a flight, waiting in an airport terminal, or traveling by car, it is important to increase activity in the legs. Standing and walking around, if possible, is one of the best ways to increase blood flow. If unable to move around, travelers can stretch and bend legs and feet or press feet against the floor while seated to increase the blood flow in the lower legs.




There is no sure method for preventing travel-related DVT. Consider, however, the benefits of flying private. Charter aircraft allow more space per passenger. Stretching, standing, and moving around is easier. Travelers who chose to fly charter do not have to worry about disturbing other passengers with their movements. Little or no wait time prior to boarding and take off eliminates the need to spend time sitting in a crowded terminal. The stressful elements that we have come to loathe about flying commercially, long lines, intrusive security checks, large crowds, and crowded aircraft, are no longer a worry. Passengers can arrive at their destinations relaxed, rested, and ready to conduct business or enjoy a hard-earned vacation.