who pays when plane has to return for a medical emergency?
Jun 6, 2005, 8:24 pm
#1
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who pays when plane has to return for a medical emergency?
Let's say you have a heart attack on the plane and the plane has to land somewhere or return to its originating point. Does the patient have to pay for added cost of this stop/return or does the airline eat the cost?
May 20, 2008, 4:47 am
#2
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Looks like you didn't have much luck with this magiciansampras. I was curious to know about this too? Can anyone help?
May 20, 2008, 5:14 am
#4
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Some anecdotal data here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...=750665&page=2
(By the way, how do I turn that into one word that says "here" and does the same thing?).
Among others, see post #25.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...=750665&page=2
(By the way, how do I turn that into one word that says "here" and does the same thing?).
Among others, see post #25.
May 20, 2008, 5:18 am
#5
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Just guessing here:
I'm thinking the airline pays. They have to account for a number of situations that would require diversions, including mechanicals. I'm sure this is all accounted for, just like the gasoline they may have to dump in such cases. I read these days some info on dumping fuel and BA said it was only approximately 0.5% (IIRC) of their fuel that got dumped - hardly a significant figure. I'm sure the emergency situations that require diversions are rare enough and that airlines to account for that in their books (by adjusting the prices accordingly). Trying to bill a pax for an emergency landing can be really, really bad PR.
I'm thinking the airline pays. They have to account for a number of situations that would require diversions, including mechanicals. I'm sure this is all accounted for, just like the gasoline they may have to dump in such cases. I read these days some info on dumping fuel and BA said it was only approximately 0.5% (IIRC) of their fuel that got dumped - hardly a significant figure. I'm sure the emergency situations that require diversions are rare enough and that airlines to account for that in their books (by adjusting the prices accordingly). Trying to bill a pax for an emergency landing can be really, really bad PR.
May 20, 2008, 7:45 am
#6
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Just guessing here:
I'm thinking the airline pays. They have to account for a number of situations that would require diversions, including mechanicals. I'm sure this is all accounted for, just like the gasoline they may have to dump in such cases. I read these days some info on dumping fuel and BA said it was only approximately 0.5% (IIRC) of their fuel that got dumped - hardly a significant figure. I'm sure the emergency situations that require diversions are rare enough and that airlines to account for that in their books (by adjusting the prices accordingly). Trying to bill a pax for an emergency landing can be really, really bad PR.
I'm thinking the airline pays. They have to account for a number of situations that would require diversions, including mechanicals. I'm sure this is all accounted for, just like the gasoline they may have to dump in such cases. I read these days some info on dumping fuel and BA said it was only approximately 0.5% (IIRC) of their fuel that got dumped - hardly a significant figure. I'm sure the emergency situations that require diversions are rare enough and that airlines to account for that in their books (by adjusting the prices accordingly). Trying to bill a pax for an emergency landing can be really, really bad PR.
May 20, 2008, 8:11 am
#7
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Some anecdotal data here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...=750665&page=2
(By the way, how do I turn that into one word that says "here" and does the same thing?).
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...=750665&page=2
(By the way, how do I turn that into one word that says "here" and does the same thing?).
May 20, 2008, 8:15 am
#8
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That would cause much more monetary damage than the ~$100k that was quoted in the CO thread. Even if that $100k is high, it pales in comparsion to what just defending themselves would cost for years in litigation, let alone what a settlement is.
May 20, 2008, 8:16 am
#9
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The airline picks up the tab for the diversion and all related activities. If the passenger doesn't have insurance to cover medical treatment at the diversion point, the airline will get the bill for that as well.
You might be surprised to find out how many passengers who wind up being the cause of medical diversions also try to seek additional damages or compensation from the airline after the fact.
It's one of those "no win" situations for an airline so they just suck up the costs and deal with it. Thankfully these occurances are not very regular.
You might be surprised to find out how many passengers who wind up being the cause of medical diversions also try to seek additional damages or compensation from the airline after the fact.
It's one of those "no win" situations for an airline so they just suck up the costs and deal with it. Thankfully these occurances are not very regular.
May 20, 2008, 8:24 am
#10
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In an era when people sue McDonald's because their hot coffee is...well...hot, nothing much surprises me anymore....
May 20, 2008, 9:11 am
#11
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Why would the airline be responsible for the patient's medical costs?
May 20, 2008, 11:12 am
#12
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Depending on the country that the diversion occurs to, the traveler may not have legal status to enter the country in their own right. The airline (as the delivering carrier) would have to stand guarantee to sponsor the person's entry, as well as any repatriation, medical and accomodation costs involved.
That is partly why airlines will usually prefer to return to originating station than divert to an en-route point in the case of a medical emergency (other factors also come into play obviously).
That is partly why airlines will usually prefer to return to originating station than divert to an en-route point in the case of a medical emergency (other factors also come into play obviously).
May 20, 2008, 11:18 am
#13
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Just guessing here:
I'm thinking the airline pays. They have to account for a number of situations that would require diversions, including mechanicals. I'm sure this is all accounted for, just like the gasoline they may have to dump in such cases. I read these days some info on dumping fuel and BA said it was only approximately 0.5% (IIRC) of their fuel that got dumped - hardly a significant figure. I'm sure the emergency situations that require diversions are rare enough and that airlines to account for that in their books (by adjusting the prices accordingly). Trying to bill a pax for an emergency landing can be really, really bad PR.
I'm thinking the airline pays. They have to account for a number of situations that would require diversions, including mechanicals. I'm sure this is all accounted for, just like the gasoline they may have to dump in such cases. I read these days some info on dumping fuel and BA said it was only approximately 0.5% (IIRC) of their fuel that got dumped - hardly a significant figure. I'm sure the emergency situations that require diversions are rare enough and that airlines to account for that in their books (by adjusting the prices accordingly). Trying to bill a pax for an emergency landing can be really, really bad PR.
May 20, 2008, 5:27 pm
#14
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If it's a ligitimate medical diversion generaly the airline eats the cost. As others have said if they didn't they would be open to a lawsuit.
I have heard of airlines going after people in court for cost associated with diversions due to disruptive behaiviour.
I have heard of airlines going after people in court for cost associated with diversions due to disruptive behaiviour.
May 21, 2008, 3:38 am
#15
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having been a person who has answered the 'is there a doctor on board' call. I'm glad BA didn't charge me for turning around a 747 over the Atlantic from LAX-LON! Patient survived surgery in Boston so happy ending.