About the Environment On Board the Aircraft
Aircraft gradually increase in altitude after takeoff and fly at an altitude of about 10,000m and at a speed of about 900km per hour, which is close to the speed of sound. Inside of the aircraft, an environment close to the ground is artificially created by an air pressure control device (pressure equipment) and air conditioning, but it is not completely the same environment as the ground.
Please read before traveling.
Air pressure in the cabin and changes in air pressure
The air pressure in the cabin at high altitude when the flight level is about 0.8atm, and it is the same environment as an altitude of about 2,000m. (About the same as the fifth station of Mt. Fuji.) Air pressure changes occur about 15 to 30 minutes after takeoff by the aircraft while ascending, and 15 to 30 minutes before landing while descending. Gas expands in the body as air pressure drops. Because gas that is not discharged from the body, or that cannot be discharged, will expand while flying, pain may appear due to pressure on affected areas or internal organs, or it may be difficult to breath. Inflammation of the ears may also occur while flying.
Decrease in oxygen concentration
Along with the drop in air pressure, the oxygen partial pressure (oxygen pressure in the air) is also about 80% of the ground. Things such as respiratory disorders, cardiac disorders, cerebrovascular disorders and severe anemia can be impacted by the drop in oxygen concentration. Oxygen deficiency may also adversely affect women who are in late pregnancy and newborns.
Conditions not suitable for air travel
Customers may not board in cases where the special environment in the aircraft cabin may affect their physical condition and symptoms, and those with an infectious disease or suspected that is likely be contagious for other customers.
While air travel is not suitable for such customers, they may be able to fly if their attending physician has properly certified them for boarding. For details, please check the supporting medical certificate and consent forms that need to be declared in advance. After checking the medical certificate and reference materials, and consulting with your attending physician, please contact the nearest JAL branch or business office, or the inquiry field within "Information and consultations about boarding" of the JAL Priority Guest Center.
Infectious diseases and the criteria for the period to stop attendance in the School Health & Safety Act
| Infectious diseases | Period to stop attendance (applicable period for a medical certificate) |
|---|---|
| Influenza | Until five days have passed after the onset of symptoms, and two days after the alleviation of the fever (three days for infants) |
| Whooping cough | Until the characteristic cough disappears, or until treatment is completed with an appropriate antibacterial formulation for five days. |
| Measles | Until three days have passed after the alleviation of the fever |
| Mumps | Until five days have passed after the onset of the swelling of the parotid, submandibular or sublingual glands, and the general condition is good |
| Rubella (three-day measles) | Until the rash disappears |
| Chicken pox | Until the scabbing of all the rashes |
| Pharyngoconjunctival fever (pool fever) | Until two days have passed after the major symptoms have disappeared |
| COVID-19 | Until five days have passed after the onset of symptoms, and one day has passed after symptoms have abated. |
| Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (pink eye) | Until a doctor confirms that there is no risk of contagion |
| Acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis (Apollo 11 disease) | Until a doctor confirms that there is no risk of contagion |
| Tuberculosis | Until a doctor confirms that there is no risk of contagion |
| Meningococcal meningitis | Until a doctor confirms that there is no risk of contagion |
In the case of an infectious disease, please have your attending physician fill out in the prescribed medical certificate such things as how to prevent infection.
For rubella (three-day measles), chicken pox, epidemic conjunctivitis (pink eye), acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis (Apollo 11 disease), tuberculosis and meningococcal meningitis, in the School Health & Safety Act, the specific number of days to stop attendance has not been set out, but if it is within 10 days after onset, an airline carrier prescribed medical certificate is required that says there is no risk of infection. If 11 days have passed, the medical certificate is not required.
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