A recent experience with Turkish Airlines highlighted the challenges faced by travelers with medical conditions.
Airlines can refuse to allow passengers to board if they are considered unfit to fly, but a recent incident demonstrates how this policy can lead to distressing situations.
Former BBC presenter Mark Mardell found himself turned away from his flight from Istanbul to London after he failed to present a doctor’s note verifying his fitness to fly. This incident left him stranded at the airport for hours, exacerbating an already stressful situation.
“It was incredibly humiliating. I felt totally exposed and vulnerable. I was on the verge of tears multiple times,” he recounted.
At 68, Mardell had traveled to Turkey on October 20 with his son Jake via Wizz Air, which did not require any medical documentation. However, when it came time for Mark to return home on Turkish Airlines, Jake sought assistance at the desk, informing staff about his father’s Parkinson’s disease. They were told Turkish Airlines required a doctor’s note for boarding, an unfortunate stipulation since Mardell had no such documentation on hand.
Three years post-diagnosis, Mardell has increasingly relied on assisted boarding due to the progression of his condition. Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder that affects motor control and manifests differently in each individual, often causing tremors, muscle rigidity, fatigue, and cognitive challenges.
Amid the chaos, one staff member reportedly commented on his shaking hands. Although Mardell doesn’t typically experience tremors, the stress of being denied boarding could have triggered such a response. His primary symptoms include a weak voice and slowed movement.
Determined, Mardell insisted that Jake board his flight while he navigated the airport alone to retrieve his baggage. He found himself in a daunting situation, struggling to locate the right areas and feeling fatigued; Parkinson’s can lead to extreme tiredness and the sensation of being ‘frozen.’ “It’s ironic how they claim it’s for your own safety but then leave you to manage alone,” he remarked. Thankfully, a kind stranger assisted him in finding the luggage area, only to leave him waiting several extra hours for his bags to arrive.
Jake eventually booked a nearby hotel for the night and arranged for Mark to fly home with Wizz Air the next day, without any further demands for documentation.
Since the incident, Mardell has filed complaints with Turkish Airlines, receiving a full refund. He also contacted the U.K.’s Civil Aviation Authority, which deemed the airline’s policy unlawful and has since communicated with Turkish Airlines regarding the matter.
Traveling with Parkinson’s
Individuals with Parkinson’s can travel safely, even by air. The American Parkinson Disease Association recommends that travelers consult their doctors to ensure they have enough medication and to adjust for any time-zone changes. They also suggest considering wheelchair assistance, regardless of usual mobility status.
Having a doctor’s note detailing your medical condition and any medications can simplify travel, although many airlines do not require such documentation if you are capable of traveling independently.
Previously, Turkish Airlines strictly required passengers with Parkinson’s to present a doctor’s report confirming their fitness for travel. This report had to state whether the passenger could travel alone, alongside the doctor’s credentials. No other airline imposes such a requirement on individuals with Parkinson’s. After media coverage of Mardell’s experience, Turkish Airlines removed this policy from their website.
United Airlines outlines that boarding may be refused if a passenger requires urgent medical assistance during the flight, poses health risks to others, or fails to provide a medical certificate at least 48 hours ahead of their departure.
Airlines such as SAS, Air Canada, and KLM offer accessibility guidance on their websites but do not specify conditions like Parkinson’s individually. They may require a medical certificate under varying circumstances like recent surgery, contagious diseases, or cognitive impairments.
