Flying After a Collapsed Lung: What You Need to Know 

A collapsed lung, or pneumothorax, is a serious medical condition caused by air leaking into the space between the lung and chest wall. It can result from trauma, surgery, lung disease, or even spontaneously. Symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue. Recovery can take days to weeks depending on severity. 

Can you fly with a collapsed lung? 

 In most cases, you should not fly until the lung has fully re-expanded and your doctor confirms you’re fit to travel. Flying too soon can be dangerous due to cabin pressure changes that may worsen the condition or cause recurrence. 

According to the European Lung Foundation and American Lung Association, patients should wait at least 7 to 14 days after full recovery and radiological confirmation before flying. In more severe cases, a delay of 3 weeks or more may be necessary. [europeanlung.org], [lung.org] 

Always consult your physician and request a fit-to-fly assessment before booking any flight. 

How Air Stretcher Helps Patients Fly Safely After Pneumothorax 

Air Stretcher provides medical repatriation and transport services on commercial flights, offering a safe and affordable alternative to private air ambulances. We specialize in transporting patients who are medically stable but require supervision, oxygen, or stretcher installation. 

Our services include: 

• Bedside-to-bedside coordination 

• Medical escort by certified paramedics, EMTs, or flight nurses 

• Monitoring of oxygen levels and vital signs during flight 

• Coordination with ground ambulance and hospital care teams 

We work with major international airlines including Air France, KLM, and Lufthansa, which allow stretcher-equipped cabins and in-flight oxygen when medically required. 

We do not use private jets or helicopters. Our model is built on efficiency, medical professionalism, and global accessibility. 

Request a quote for your post-pneumothorax transport. 

Medical Clearance and Fit-to-Fly Testing 

Before flying, patients recovering from a collapsed lung may need: 

• A chest X-ray confirming full lung re-expansion 

• A blood gas test to assess oxygen levels 

• A hypoxic challenge test (fit-to-fly test) to simulate cabin pressure conditions [europeanlung.org] 

If oxygen is needed during flight, Air Stretcher arranges in-flight oxygen delivery and adjusts flow rates as required. 

We also assist with: 

• Medical certificates for airlines 

• Special assistance requests 

• Insurance documentation for medically necessary transport 

Speak with our coordination team to plan your flight safely. 

Global Coverage and Airline Partnerships 

Air Stretcher operates worldwide, coordinating with: 

• Airports in Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East 

• Airlines including Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, and others 

• Hospitals and clinics for discharge and arrival coordination 

Whether you’re flying from New York to London, Dubai to Paris, or Bangkok to Frankfurt, we ensure safe and medically supported travel. 

Discover our services for international medical transport. 

Insurance and Reimbursement Support 

We help patients and families navigate: 

• Travel insurance and health insurance coverage 

• Reimbursement for medically necessary flights 

• Coordination with case managers, hospital discharge teams, and insurance providers 

Flying after a collapsed lung is possible—but only with proper clearance and support. 

Contact us to verify your eligibility and coverage. 

Real Cases: Flying After a Collapsed Lung 

Examples of patients we’ve helped: 

• A tourist repatriated from Thailand to Canada 12 days after chest tube removal 

• A business traveler flown from Milan to New York with oxygen support 

• A post-operative patient transferred from Dubai to London with full medical escort 

Our team ensures life-saving care, comfort, and a strong safety record throughout the journey. 

Read more on our blog page. 

Ready to Fly Safely After a Collapsed Lung? 

If you or a loved one needs to fly after a pneumothorax, Air Stretcher is here to help. 

• Contact us now for expert advice 

• Request a quote tailored to your condition 

• Speak with our medical coordination team to plan your transport 

We’re here to help you fly safely, medically supported, and with peace of mind.