Can airlines deny travel if they know you have cancer?

Wow , that’s not right ,hope and pray that you can get it resolved

Airlines generally cannot deny travel based solely on a cancer diagnosis, especially when medical professionals have cleared the travel. This situation sounds incredibly frustrating and stressful when dealing with accommodation requests that should be straightforward. Consider reaching out to the airline's disability services department or customer relations to clarify their policies, as many others in the community may benefit from understanding airline accommodation procedures for passengers managing health conditions.

I have stage four pancreatic cancer diagnosed in April 2024. I recently took a trip to New York City on American Airlines and had no problems. I hope you make it to your trip. I didn’t think airlines could deny flight if your physician approved it.

I was diagnosed with MM 15 months ago after fracturing my back 2 times a year apart, and then my sternum a year later. Two weeks after my diagnosis I began chemotherapy and after my second treatment my legs had swollen so bad I couldn’t walk shortly after that I couldn’t eat and my oncologist just kept pumping me with chemo. My potassium dropped really low (1.5-2.0) I was spending my entire day at chemo getting potassium infusions. The oncologist wasn’t the least bit concerned about the fact that I couldn’t walk or eat. She’d say well you’ve got to be eating and walking in order to get the sct. Needless to say this went on from June until October with me spending more time in the hospital than at home. Coming home from the hospital in October my husband and I made the decision to stop chemo and change oncologist. I had gone 4 months without eating surviving on sprites and water. My new oncologist said my health was too severe for chemo and the outlook was slim. Still in and out of the hospital until the first of may. I had a feeding tube put in and has since been removed. I’ve lost over 100 lbs. two weeks ago was told my mm is in remission and started back on a lighter dose of chemo last week. This is the longest period of time I’ve been out of the hospital at one time. I still can’t walk without a walker as of yet. And not sure how long it’s going to be before I get some sort of a normal life back. With that being said my oncologist says I still have a lot of healing to do from my first round of chemo but from my first visit up until now he’s very pleased at how far I’ve come because he wouldn’t have expected that when he first saw me. World Rehabilitate Clinic played a significant role in my healing process. This is a horrible disease my prayers are with you all.

Two of my oncologists fully support the travel and have written letters to the airline. I have been in touch with the airline’s medical team. I have traveled in the past 2 years (diagnosed 2.5 years ago) to the UK, New York, Hawaii, Alaska, Northern California with no issues. The problem is this time is that I divulged information in order to sit at the bulkhead. Wrong thing to do. Direction violation of Air Carrier Access Act 14 CFR Part 382. At this point I just want my money back. Thanks for listening and hope everyone travels without any hassles…while we can!!!!

I have stage2b ovarian cancer, right now NED. I had my first surgery in June 2021 followed by chemo. Then I had a small lung metastasis in February, 24 followed by chemo again. I've traveled to Europe a couple of times, across the U.S. many times and recently to Latin America. I'm pretty sure the airlines are not allowed to ask you about your illness nor discriminate against you because you have cancer. I always ask for extra time boarding and reserve a seat near the bathroom if possible. I think you should fight this if it happens again, especially if your doctor approves you travelling. Good luck and buen viaje!

I did fight it and was approved however I ended up with difficulty walking as a side effect of Doxil so had to cancel trip.

I did dóxil also. In Italy they call it the red devil. I could barely function between the 4th and 6th infusion. I definitely wasn't travelling during this days.. I hope you can enjoy some time "on the road"....I find it good for my spirit! Take care.