Welcome To Flight Times From UK

This website provides information on the flight times to popular destinations throughout the world. Please use the list in the side bar to the right to select the departure airport of your choice.


Have You Got Your European Health Insurance Card?


 The European Health Insurance Card or EHIC is a must have item for all UK resident travelling to anywhere in Europe. In the event that your holiday takes a turn for the worst, the card allows you access to state provided healthcare, similar to that provided by the NHS in the UK, in all countries designated as in the European Economic Area or EEA plus Switzerland.

Not all countries healthcare systems are the same, so you might not be covered for everything that would normally be free from the NHS in the UK. In many cases, you will be offered a choice of either private or state provided care. To avoid potentially costly private medical bills, always seek out state provided care and where possible present your EHIC before treatment.

There are certain rules that apply to using your European Health Insurance Card should you require medical treatment during your visit abroad. Most accidents are covered but you are not permitted to go abroad to use the card to receive specific medical care. However, maternity care, renal dialysis and looking after the symptoms of a pre-existing or chronic condition that crops up while you are abroad are all covered by the card.

Broadly speaking, you will receive the same treatment as a resident of the country you are visiting. That said, many overseas countries expect the patient to pay towards the cost of medical treatment anyway so even with the EHIC you may still be expected to pay. It is also worth bearing in mind that you may be able to recoup this cost when you return to the UK if you are not able to do so in the country you have visited. Always remember to keep receipts and paperwork as they may be needed to apply for reimbursement.

Applying for a European Health Insurance Card is free and is valid for five years. Finally, it should be pointed out that the card is not an alternative to travel insurance. It does not cover you for private medical care or the cost of such things as a rescue from a mountain in a ski resort. Neither, of course, does it cover lost or stolen property, repatriation to the UK or flight related problems. It is therefore essential that you have a travel insurance policy as well as your EHIC.

In-Seat Exercises To Combat Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep Vein Thrombosis is a condition when blood clots form in the veins of the leg. It is a very serious condition and can be fatal. It is caused by long periods of immobility and as a result is associated with air travel. There are a number of simple exercises an air passenger can do to help reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis or DVT.

These are:

1. During the flight place a pillow in the hole of your lower back to maintain the curve of your spine. Avoid crossing your legs. This will help your back as well as your blood circulation. Try to keep your weight evenly balanced on each buttock and keep your shoulders relaxed.

2. Sit back in your seat and flatten the head rest. Sitting up straight and with your shoulders relaxed allow your head to roll slowly to one side. Then, gently roll back through its central position to the other side. Repeat this exercise several times.

3. Sit upright in your seat and move forward a little. Lift your shoulders up towards your ears and then circle them back down. To help you with this exercise imagine you have pencils on the tips of your shoulders to draw circles. Repeat this exercise six times. Then lift your shoulders up towards your ears and drop again. Repeat six times.

4. Sit in an upright position and place a pillow under your right thigh just above the knee. Try to keep your weight even. Now circle your right foot round (rotating from the ankle joint) whilst keeping the whole leg as still as possible. Do twelve circles in each direction with each foot.

5. Sit upright and keep your feet in line with your hips and knees. Push your toes and the balls of your feet into the floor. Hold this position and slowly count to six. Then release. Now push your heels into the floor for a count of six then release.

As you can see these exercises are very easy to do and can be done in your seat without causing interference with other passengers. These exercises can be repeated several times during your flight to reduce the risk deep vein thrombosis.

Air Travel And Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep Vein Thrombosis or DVT is a serious condition where blood clots form in the deep veins of the legs and this can occur during air travel.

Prolonged immobility is commonly regarded to be the major underlying risk factor so any medium to long haul air travel can result in a passenger developing deep vein thrombosis in the legs.

All reputable airlines and holiday companies provide information on DVT and you are strongly recommended  to seek advice on passengers who are most likely to be affected by the condition and how to reduce the risks when flying.

Most passengers can reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis through keeping circulation active by practising 'in seat exercises' (particularly leg exercises) whilst aboard the airplane. Most airlines and holiday companies also advocate walking around the aircraft to reduce the risk but any regular air travellers will know this is not always possible.

Most airlines will provide details of exercises you can do in their in-flight magazine or during the in-flight videos. For more comprehensive advice please visit the UK Government Department of Health's website www.dh.gov.uk

However, if you believe you are at a high risk of suffering from deep vein thrombosis when flying it is strongly recommended that you should consult your GP before travel.