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Looking after your health

There is no scientific evidence to link aircraft air conditioning systems with the spread of disease. Infectious diseases such as common colds are likely to be spread simply by sitting or standing near an infected person, either before, during or after a flight. Most aircraft are fitted with air filters and cabin air within them is changed every three to seven minutes.

Although the cabin environment is fine for most passengers, if you have a severe pulmonary disease you should seek medical advice from your GP or your chosen airline's medical service, especially before a long-distance flight.

There has been interest in the possible link between deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and air travel. Sitting still is the most common risk factor for DVT and can be linked with any form of long-distance travel whether by air, car, coach or train. Check the Air Users Council (AUC) website for more information.

• Find your local doctor (opens new window)
• Air passenger health advice from the AUC (opens new window)

Using electronic equipment

Research suggests the onboard use of mobile phones and other portable electronic equipment, such as computer games, may interfere with an aircraft's communication and navigation systems. Therefore, for passenger safety, mobile phones must be switched off during the entire flight, and portable electronic equipment should not be used during take-off and landing.

Items you can't take on board

There are a number of items that cannot be carried in hand luggage, such as knives, nail scissors and nail files. The BAA website has a downloadable list of what you can and can't take on board. There is also detailed information on the Department for Transport (DfT) website.

For general information on hand baggage see 'Air travel hand baggage rules'.

• BAA list of what you can and can't take in your hand baggage (PDF, 80K) (opens new window)
• Help with PDF files
• DfT - new airline security rules (opens new window)
• Air travel hand baggage rules

Getting safety advice

Under its ATOL protection scheme, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has produced a leaflet called 'Travelling safely', which gives advice on matters related to flying - such as drinking alcohol on an aircraft, how to behave and aircraft procedures. You can download a copy from the CAA website.

• More safety advice from the CAA (opens new window)

Investigating air accidents

Civil accidents and serious incidents are investigated by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) to help prevent similar accidents occurring. The AAIB does not decide blame or liability.

The Government Actuary's Department (GAD) can give advice on compensation and there are a number of support groups that provide practical help and emotional support, for example, for those who are bereaved.

• GAD - compensation for injury or death (opens new window)
• AAIB - investigating air accidents (opens new window)
• Cruse Bereavement Care (opens new window)