Source-The Toronto Star: http://www.thestar.com/thestar/edito...EW02d_FLY.html

Cramped airplane seating blamed for traveller's death

LONDON (Reuters) - A bride-to-be collapsed and died from a condition known as ``economy-class syndrome'' just minutes after leaving a flight from Australia to London, British newspapers reported today.

Emma Christofferson, 28, developed deep-vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot associated with long-distance flights, while travelling home to London from the Olympic Games on a Qantas flight.

The sales assistant complained of feeling unwell on the last part of the 19,310-kilometre trip and collapsed in the Heathrow airport arrivals hall. She
died 10 days ago, before reaching hospital.

DVT is frequently caused by long periods spent in cramped conditions. Tightly packed seating - as in economy class - can restrict movement and trigger a clot which can work its way into the heart or lungs.