Are you looking for tips to help flying with vertigo?
I have patients travel to San Diego for vertigo treatment from all over the USA and foreign countries, so I frequently offer guidance on flying with vertigo. This is the mental checklist I run through, but not all of these tips might apply to your situation and will depend on how frequently and severely you get vertigo symptoms.
Is it Safe Flying with Vertigo?
First of all, determine if you are safe to fly. If you are actively vomiting or unable to sit up or walk on your own, you may need to cancel your trip and seek medical care at your current location.
Repeated vomiting can cause dehydration, which can be life threatening in extreme cases and may require intravenous (IV) fluids. I personally have gone to the emergency room over 20+ times in my life due to vomiting for hours to days from vertigo to get IV hydration.
If you are unable to sit up or walk on your own, then it may not be safe to try to fly and you may need to seek urgent medical care to get checked out instead of flying.
If you are not actively vomiting and you are able to sit up and walk on your own, you may decide that flying with vertigo is a reasonable option for you.
Pre-Medicate Yourself
The first step in preparing to fly with vertigo is getting any medications that you need ready to go and pre-medicating yourself.
That list may include both prescription and over-the-counter medications for nausea, dizziness, or vertigo. Be sure to discuss with your doctor the medications that are necessary for you to control your symptoms based on your individual case.
Call Ahead for Wheelchair Service
If you are easily fatigued from the vertigo or have difficulty walking long distances, you may want to call ahead and request wheelchair service from your airline. Most airlines with escort passengers in wheelchairs to their gate and allow them to pre-board onto the plane before the other passengers.
If you request wheelchair service, be sure you are patient because sometimes you might be sitting around for hours.
Add Extra Points of Touch Contact
When you touch something or someone, you get sensory information that can help you feel more stable and balanced when you have vertigo.
If you feel the vertigo when you are sitting, focus on the points of contact between your legs and back with the chair. Put your hands on the armrests to increase the points of contact. Those extra points of touch contact will help you feel more stable.
You can use your hands to hold onto the seats while you walk on the plane or hold onto a travel companion walking through the airport to give you an extra sense of balance.
You can also spread your feet wider while you stand and walk to feel more balanced.
Bring an Assistive Device
Canes and walkers work the same way, by giving you more balance through your hands. Bring any assistive device that you might need like a walker or a cane on the flight to stabilize yourself. Make sure you put a luggage tag on your cane or walker, in case it gets lost.
You can store your assistive device in the overhead bin, or the airline may allow you to check it at the gate right before you board the plane. If you check your cane or walker at the gate, the airline attendants will likely bring it back to you as soon as you get off the plane.
Keep Calm
When you have vertigo, getting stressed out or anxious makes the symptoms feel worse and last longer. Flying can be stressful due to crowds, long lines and flight delays.
So make sure that you give yourself plenty of time, so you can avoid rushing around and keep yourself calm.
You may also want to get a chamomile tea or some other non-caffeinated beverage while you are waiting in the airport to help yourself relax.
Try to keep your breathing smooth and steady because shallow, rapid breathing can over-stimulate your nervous system and make you feel worse.
Stay Upright and Move Your Head as Little as Possible
Depending on the cause of your vertigo symptoms, lying down and moving your head around may make you feel worse. So it is usually best to avoid lying down or moving around a lot in the airport while you are waiting around.
For the most common causes of vertigo, keeping your head upright, staying still as much as possible and moving slowly will reduce the vertigo symptoms.
This means you may have to ask someone to help you with your luggage, so you can avoid repeatedly bending over to pick it up off the floor. If you have to pick up your own bags off the floor, consider kneeling down or squatting down to pick them up instead of bending forward at your hips so your head stays in the upright position.
You may want to invest in a higher quality neck pillow to hold your head upright if you fall asleep while you are flying.
Stare at a Vertical Line or Close your Eyes
Depending on the cause of vertigo, you may feel better if you stare at a vertical line or you may feel better if you close your eyes. You have to figure that out on your own. Reading and looking at a computer screen often make vertigo feel worse, so you may need to avoid those activities if you are flying with vertigo.
You may also want to try some of the vertigo home remedies that I recommend for symptoms of dizziness, vertigo and nausea to help while you are flying.
Click here for a video on How to Manage an Episode of Vertigo.
Disclaimer
This blog is provided for informational purposes only. The content and any comments by Dr. Kim Bell, DPT are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The details of any case mentioned in this post represent a typical patient that Dr. Bell might see and do not describe the circumstances of a specific individual.
I’ll be traveling this summer by ✈️ and a little anxious. I experienced vertigo about 2 years ago and even with medication vertigo didn’t ease up till months later. Currently, not experience the vertigo but every now then there’s residual dizziness. I’m wondering if air travel will trigger vertigo?
Hi Liz,
Thank you for your question. I am glad you found my blog on Flying with Vertigo: Helpful Tips.
Believe it or not, I hear the question you asked ALL THE TIME, which was my motivation for writing this blog.
Some people get triggered by traveling due to the changes in cabin pressure, barometric pressure, altitude and weather.
Other people get triggered by the visual complexity of all the people walking around in the airport and the constant overhead announcements.
Sometimes dehydration from traveling can trigger vertigo.
The effect of traveling on symptoms of dizziness and vertigo is really specific to the root cause. If you were able to share with me a specific diagnosis, then I could answer your question in more detail with more specifics.
I think the challenge for you is that it sounds like you are not certain about the root cause of your symptoms and so your treatment plan was to “wait it out” while using medication to cope.
Unfortunately, the lack of root cause evaluation has limited your ability to research and learn about how to prevent or manage flare ups of your symptoms of vertigo or residual dizziness. I meet many people who are uncertain about the cause of their symptoms, which is why I specialize in that type of assessment.
My suggestion is to seek out a Root Cause Evaluation as soon as possible with a Vestibular Expert so that you can figure out what caused the initial vertigo and what is causing the occasional, residual symptoms. Then you can research that specific diagnosis and figure out how to avoid the triggers, or how to manage the symptoms.
You might want to check out my blog on How to Find a Vertigo Doctor in Your Area.
You may also want to read another blog I wrote with more tips for Traveling with Vertigo.
If you do have a diagnosis for your symptoms and you want to share it with me, then I can answer your question in more specific detail.
One other thing to remember is that people with dizziness and vertigo typically need more time to recover after travel, so be sure to schedule some down time after your flights.
I hope you have a great trip!
Sincerely,
Dr. Kim Bell, DPT
My Brother have vertigo from last 6 to 7 year he cant sleep…when he sleeping down it get trigger We already do lots of medication But he is not recover give me some tips for him
Hi Pranali,
I am sorry to hear what your brother is going through! I understand because I had vertigo for over 25 years without knowing exactly why.
That is why I started this specialty practice to help other people like me and your brother.
The blogs I have listed below may help you learn more about what to do.
BPPV Symptoms
BPPV Symptoms (More Information)
How to Manage an Episode of Vertigo
Blog with Video on How to Manage Vertigo Symptoms
How to Track and Record symptoms for Analysis
How to find a Vertigo Doctor in Your Area
Vertigo Home Remedies
Of course, if he wants to travel to San Diego, I would be happy to help your brother!
You can learn more about my care by clicking here.
Best wishes,
Kim Bell, DPT
I have the onset of Ménière’s disease and flying brings on the vertigo. With a middle ear thing happening how do I manage flying? Any suggestions. Thank you.
Hi Elizabeth,
The best suggestion I have is to avoid flying altogether or pre-medicate before the trip to suppress your symptoms if you must fly.
You can work with your doctor to determine which medications – or combination of medications – will be best for the symptoms you get during or after a flight.
Best wishes,
Kim Bell, DPT
Hey There My Father Is Suffered From Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) almost a month & half ago. He is yet taking the medications that are indicated for 3 months.
But he is very well now, no any episodic vertigo or nauseaous symptoms have appeared again.
I wanted to ask Can he travel in flight of 1 Hour & 45 Minutes?
Hi Fatima,
I am not able to advise you on whether traveling is a good idea or not, since your father is not my patient.
If he does decide to make the trip, I have a few blogs that might be helpful in addition to this one that you already found.
Traveling with Vertigo and Dizziness: Helpful Strategies
Travel Tips for People with Dizziness and Vertigo
Flying with Vertigo: Tips for Plane Travel with Vertigo
I hope those additional resources are helpful for you and your father.
Best regards,
Dr. Kim Bell, DPT
My vertigo is from a broken ear drum will air travel cause me to have a vertigo episode???
Hi John,
I will redirect you to the doctor who diagnosed your broken ear drum for that answer. Please contact your doctor directly to ask that important question.
Here are three additional blogs I have published on Traveling with Dizziness:
Travel Tips for the Airplane
Traveling with Dizziness and Vertigo: Helpful Strategies
Travel Tips for People with Dizziness and Vertigo
Hello,
I have similar situation
I worry flying will trigger vertigo again.
My vertigo started when I was walking on a suspension bridge and it was shaking badly. It took awhile to get over it and am still feel like it can trigger whenever I drive in a tunnel. Or narrow road with tall wall on the side. I feel bloating head while sitting sometimes.
Should I fly?
Thank you
Hi Thuy,
I am sorry to hear what you are going through!
I cannot advise you about flying, since that can trigger dizziness and vertigo for many people. I have other articles on helpful tips for traveling on both VertigoDetective.com and BetterBalanceInLife.com.
I am also working on my first book right now, and I include a lot of travel tips in Chapter 12. When that is published, it may be helpful for you.
My suggestion is for you to get evaluated by a Vestibular physical therapist.
You can use this article to search for someone in your area.
I also suggest for you to get evaluated by a Neuro-Optometrist. You can use the Doctor Locator at COVD.org to search for someone.
I think those two specialty evaluations will be helpful.
Also, this article on home remedies may help you manage the symptoms to prevent them from escalating.
I hope that helps!
Sincerely,
Kim Bell, DPT
The doctor seems to think that the crystals in my ears have come out of place.
I may not have enough time to get it corrected before my flight.
Any suggestions to help??
I am miserable feeling this way. I leave 3/6/23.
Thank you
Hi Suzanne,
I have four blogs with travel tips.
Two are on this website and two are on my sister website betterbalanceinlife.com.
On those two websites, you can search the term “travel” or “travel tips” and find two blogs per site sharing my travel tips.
I have a lot of information on there that may be helpful for you.
I’m also publishing my first book this year, which will have a lot of information on traveling with dizziness and vertigo.
Worst case scenario, some people have to cancel their trip.
I typically advise people to bring medications when they travel to manage any flareups.
Ultimately, I would suggest for you to find a vestibular physical therapist, or other vestibular healthcare provider to have a professional evaluation and treatment.
This article can help you search for a local provider.
I hope you feel better soon!
The trick to flying and vertogo is this…….fly without worry. If you begin to worry, you will develop anxiety and anxiety can trigger. I shoukd know because I suffer from extreme vertigo. I have been having vertigo episodes for the passed five years. Finally I take medication that has controled my vertigo. Besy of luck.
Hi Louie,
I agree that managing anxiety is key to flying comfortably!
Thank you for sharing your insight with our blog readers.
In this blog, I share some tips for alleviating anxiety related to vertigo.
I also have included more travel tips in this blog.
Sincerely yours,
Kim Bell, DPT
What is the medication you take for vertigo? i’ve had an intense Episode of it for two weeks
I’ve been a flight attendant for 20 years. I had ear pain that didn’t resolve with antibiotics. I’m currently treating for BPPV through physical therapy with not much success. Can I work as a flight attendant with vestibular disorders??
Hi Michelle,
I am sorry to hear this! I am glad you are in physical therapy for treating BPPV.
Although BPPV does not usually cause ear pain, so I suspect you may have more than one condition occurring at the same time.
I am not able to advise you about future career plans, except to say that getting treatment for the BPPV and any other medical condition will allow the best chance of being able to maintain your job.
Many patients with dizziness or vertigo who do not find adequate care are forced to go on disability or eventually switch careers.
The healthcare providers who are treating you can offer individual medical advice for your specific situation.
I hope you feel better soon!
Sincerely,
Kim Bell, DPT
What medicine are you taking to stop vertigo?
What medications did u take. I have Vertigo. It’s been going on for two months now. It’s awful.
Do u know of a Dr. in Arvada,Co who specializes in Vestibular Vertigo. I have been to a PT Specialist, my ENT Dr., and my Chiropractor.
Hi Sandy,
You can find a Vertigo Doctor in your area using the links provided in this blog.
I do not know of one that I can personally recommend for you in Arvada, CO.
Hi Sandy,
I have a few blogs on Medications for dizziness and vertigo that may be helpful as you explore your options. I have linked them in my reply below.
Ultimately, your primary doctor will need to determine what is best for your individual situation.
Medications for Dizziness and Vertigo
Medications for Dizziness
One thing to be aware of is that medications for vertigo can increase the risk of falling.
If possible, I hope you can find a Vertigo doctor in your area using this blog and get a resolution of the root cause.
Best wishes,
Kim Bell, DPT
Hi I have beeen suffering with BPPV for 3 years now. It’s starting to effect my work life. I have been told by my doctors there is nothing they can do to help. I have done some Eaply Manouvers but hasn’t helped. I want to go on a working visa over seas but I’m am so anxious about it because I won’t be able to work or do activities. It’s really frustrating.
Hi Jade,
I am sorry to hear about this!
You can use this article to look for a Vestibular physical therapist or doctor who may be able to help you.
This article is about the link between vertigo and anxiety.
Best wishes,
Kim Bell, DPT
I have vestibular migraine and very anxious I’m flying to Canada do you think this will be ok to do
Hi Patricia,
I am glad you found this blog on tips for flying with vertigo.
I have two other blogs that might be helpful for you and I have linked them below.
Alleviate Vertigo and Anxiety Symptoms
Travel Tips for People with Dizziness and Vertigo
I wish you all the best and I hope you are able to enjoy your time in Canada.
Sincerely,
Kim Bell, DPT
I have BPPV Vertigo
Is it safe to fly with a plane?
Hi Fried,
Your doctor can advise you if it is safe for you to fly.
My blog articles on flying and traveling with dizziness and vertigo are for educational purposes only.
I am not able to give you individual medical advice since I have not evaluated you in person. I suggest you ask your doctor.
Best wishes,
Dr. Kim Bell, DPT
I have vestibular migraine and have to travel by a train.i have taken medicine prescribed by my doctor before the journey.what additional precaution can i take to prevent vestibular attack after the journey ends
Hi Aishwarya,
I am glad that you found this article with tips on traveling! I have three more articles that may help you.
This article
This article
This article
I hope that information is helpful!
Best wishes,
Dr. Kim Bell, DPT
This is not in regards to flying, but a simple question regarding Vertigo.
It’s been 4 months since my first episode, it would happen once a week and I got a break for 6 weeks. Two weeks ago it started and now it’s every day, I don’t vomit every day. My question is this normal for it to last this long?
Regards
Danielle
Hi Danielle,
Vertigo can last anywhere from seconds, to minutes, to days, to weeks, months and even years.
I have met people with one episode of vertigo that never felt it again, and I have met people with vertigo everyday for over 40 years.
The key is to determine the root cause and focus on a treatment plan to resolve that root cause.
This blog discusses how to track your symptoms.
This blog discusses how to find a vertigo doctor in your area.
This blog discusses why it is important not to try to learn to live with vertigo.
This blog discusses reasons to seek professional vertigo help.
In this blog, I go over some common causes and treatments for different causes of vertigo.
This blog is about the importance of root cause analysis.
I hope those additional, free online resources are helpful!
Sincerely,
Kim Bell, DPT
Hi Kimberley,
My son has suddenly suffered from very bad vertigo after staying in USA for 1 month, he was admitted to the hospital 8 times and have had all sorts of tests & scans (CT, MRI..). The last time they decided to inject steroids into his ear. That helps but he now still has vertigo episodes where he needs to take medications and lie down for a few hours. Can he take Stemetil in advance before flying to prevent the attacks? Thank you.
Hi Kim,
I am so sorry to hear this story!
I am not able to provide individual medical advice about what medications might help him since I do not know the whole story and I have not evaluated him myself.
I suggest directing your question to his doctor to find out if that medication is right for him.
Hello.
I have been suffering from BPPV for about 3 weeks now. My doctor has performed the Epley maneuver twice and I’m to go back in 2 weeks for a third try. I have a flight in 3 days and I’m concerned about vertigo while flying. I’ll take Dramamine before the flight but was wondering what your thoughts would be on managing this flight.
Thanks
Vicki
Hi Vicki,
Traveling with vertigo is a personal decision. I have done it many times out of necessity and I have learned a lot in the process.
In addition to this blog, I have two other blogs in which I share travel tips for people with dizziness and vertigo.
Travel Tips for People with Dizziness and Vertigo
Traveling with Dizziness and Vertigo: Helpful Strategies
I also published another blog that avoiding sensory overload in the airport, so please check out this blog as well.
I published this article on 5 Reasons why Epley may not work.
I hope that additional information is helpful as you make your decision!
Best wishes,
Kim Bell, DPT
Hi
On 9th March and 19th March, I had severe vertigo attack; I am on medication. Now I doubt whether I will be Able to live my normal life in future though I have started exercise, work at home, I am loosing my confidence.
Hi LK,
Many people share your fears about whether they will ever be able to live a normal life again.
In this blog, I talk about strategies to alleviate fears related to vertigo that my patients use.
The prognosis for your level of recovery depends on the root cause of your two vertigo attacks.
Medication is helpful to mask the symptoms and improve quality of life. I am glad you have been able to exercise and work at home while on medication.
I highly recommend for you to consult with a Vertigo Professional. You can use this blog to find a Vertigo Doctor or Physical Therapist in your area.
You can use this blog to discover home remedies that may help.
You can use this blog to learn how to track and report your symptoms.
This blog talks about how to manage dizzy spells.
I wish you all the best for a full recovery!
My mom suffered a couple years ago with vertigo that lasted 6 weeks or so. She is with me in OK but lives in Yuma. She is preparing to go home but maybe we should come to san diego for a visit first. Do you take medicare along with a supplemental insurance? When could we get her an appointment?
Hi Connie,
I am sorry to hear about your Mom!
All my care is private pay, so I do not accept insurance. For more information about my services and prices, please check out this page.
To search for other providers who may take her insurance, check out this page.
Best wishes!
Hi Doc. I have a flight in 4 days and im terrified about it, though it wasnt my first time of flying by air its just that i experienced twice that during flight, there is a moment that i feel like i am losing my self and im gonna pass out, i feel heat/cold flashes on my body and seems like the noise on my ear is getting smaller and smaller, luckily, when i am on the edge of that feeling, i started to feel my body again and the noise comes back to my hearing. This past few days im stress about personal things and i started to feel the dizziness and everything is moving. But it is just for few seconds only. I have a history of Vertigo and i know what im feeling is vertigo again. Just want some advice on my upcoming flight. Thank you
Hi Kristine,
I have shared the tips on traveling and flying as general helpful information.
I am not able to advise you or respond to your specific concerns about flying, since I have evaluated you in person.
Please talk with your doctor about your symptoms and concerns.
I hope you feel better soon!
Sincerely,
Dr. Kim Bell, DPT
So I am not yet diagnosed. But my specialist is leaning towards vestibular migraine and meniere’s disease. I’m in my 20s and just passed the third month since my first Vertigo attack. I’m not the same anymore! Lighting, certain foods, smoking, heavy exercise and crowd movement can throw me into an attack. I still can’t drive. I have to travel a pretty long distance and so I got a wheel chair service because of the large airports. My husband also said we should make a medical card to hand an employee in case something happens. Is there seating that is easier while during the flight? Just the landing and take off will suck but I won’t vomit. Is there anything else that might help my situation while traveling?
Hi Sarah,
I am sorry to hear what you are going through.
This blog on Meniere’s and this blog on Vestibular Migraine may be helpful.
Also, you can read my definitions of migraine, vestibular migraine, Meniere’s disease, and Meniere’s syndrome in my glossary.
This blog, this blog and this blog are the three other blogs I have written on traveling with dizziness.
This blog has home remedies.
I hope that is helpful!
I encourage you to dig further until you find the root cause(s) that explain all your symptoms.
Best wishes,
Kim Bell, DPT
Hi Dr. Bell,
This is a wonderful website with many helpful blogs — thank you for all you do! I’m wondering if there are any blogs in particular you can point me to re: flying with dizziness. Specifically, when a plane takes off and especially when it banks, I get very dizzy and things start to spin. When I can see the plane is level, these feelings usually subside. This has been happening for the last ten years but I’ve always written it off as general anxiety. Usually, I can keep calm if I’m in a window seat and am able to focus on the horizon, but I think craning my neck to look out the window for long stretches might also be escalating things. Also, flying at night or with the window shades shut also sends my mind into barrel rolls. Thoughts? OTC medications? Hope I can discover the root cause of this someday or at least control the anxiety. My dream would be to able to actually sleep on a flight again!
Hi Michael,
I am so happy that the blog was helpful to you!
I have three other blogs on traveling with dizziness and vertigo that might be useful to you.
Blog 1
Blog 2
Blog 3
I hope that was valuable information!
If you are able to find a vestibular provider in your area – using this blog – I think that would be very beneficial to get individual medical advice and answers to your great questions, after a thorough exam is conducted.
Since I have not examined you in person, I am not able to speculate on the answers to your questions. There are too many variables to consider, which is why having an evaluation by a trained vestibular provider is the key.
Best wishes,
Kim Bell, DPT
Hi I had a brief vertigo episodes from BPPV last month. It lasted to 48 hours and I was all fine, I again has come back now and its different from last time. Its more when I lie down now v/s issues with getting up last time.
I need to take flight 2 circuits of 7 hours each in about 2 weeks. Confused if I cancel the trip or go ahear. Any advise would be great.
Thanks
Hi Sid,
Flying can trigger a new episode of BPPV for some people due to the pressure changes.
However, many patients with BPPV do not have much trouble flying since they never recline below 45 degrees.
I have three more blogs with travel tips that may help you as well:
Flying – article 2
Travel tips – article 1
Travel tips – article 2
Hi I found out last month that I got vertigo and am going on holiday to Turkey in 10 days what do I do on the plane to stop me feeling dizzy and everything
Hi Alan,
I have offered suggestions for traveling with vertigo in four blog articles. I will link them up here:
Travel tips 1
Travel tips 2
Travel tips 3
I have had two episodes of vertigo requiring 3 months each of physical therapy. Because of this, I have been reluctant to fly which has limited my travel. Is air travel more likely to trigger vertigo symptoms than other forms of transportation?
Hi Judith,
Traveling in general can be a trigger for vertigo, due to changes in altitude, barometric pressure, humidity, and temperature etc.
Different types of pollens or other environmental factors, along unusual foods and stress can also trigger vertigo while traveling.
Certainly flying is a common vertigo trigger for people with migraines and BPPV, but some people with vertigo don’t notice any issue with flying.
It depends on the root cause of the vertigo.
I suggest you talk to your doctor about any medications you might need and ask your physical therapist about precautions for traveling.
In July 22, I had a vertigo episode.
It was very bad. I couldn’t go to the toilet by myself in the first week.
It started to recover slowly, but still now I’m suffering with the symptoms.
I’m out of balance. I can’t turn my head from one side to the other.
Lying down in my bed is very bad.
I have a lack of focus.
I don’t know the root cause and my question is how long can the symptoms last?
Hi Paula,
That sounds terrible! I’m sorry to hear it.
I hope you have notified your general doctor by now. That’s always important.
Vertigo can last for quite awhile so I suggest you seek professional help.
You can use this blog to find a vestibular physical therapist or Otoneurologist in your area to see asap.
You can use this blog to write up your case before you see that provider, to help them understand what you are dealing with.
I hope you find proper care and get relief soon.