Our customers sometimes ask us about medical
conditions and air travel. AmericanAirlines appre-
ciates its customers’ interest in health topics and
encourages passengers to consult with their doc-
tors before traveling.
What IsDVT?
A deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that
develops in a deep vein, usually in a leg. This is a
serious condition. Sometimes theseclots canbreak
away and travel through the bloodstream to vital
organs and can cause severe injury or death.
PossibleRiskFactors of DVT
Prolonged physical immobility, such as sitting for
an extended period, is considered in the medical
community tobea risk factor associatedwithDVT.
Peoplewith certainmedical conditions orwho are
taking some medications may also be at higher
risk of developing a DVT, including conditions or
medications that affect blood flow, alter normal
blood-clotting mechanisms or cause blood-vessel
damage. Some of these are:
Blood-clottingdisorders
Cancer
Increasing age or smoking
Major illnesswith hospitalization
Obesity or heart disease
Oral contraceptive use or hormone therapy
Personal or family history of aDVT
Pregnancy
Recentmajor surgery or trauma
PossibleSymptoms of DVT
Many DVTs do not produce any symptoms. If
symptoms occur, they may include pain, swelling
or redness in the affected area. Severe chest pain
or problems breathingmay indicate that a clot has
traveled to the lungs. Any concern shouldbeevalu-
atedby aphysician immediately.
PossibleWays toReduce theRiskof DVT
American encourages all passengers to consult
with their doctors about DVT and other personal
health issues before flying. Because the cause of a
DVT is often not known, the best methods of pre-
venting DVTs are still uncertain. To try to reduce
the risk of DVT, many passengers may be advised
by their doctors to take the followingmeasures in
flight:
Regularly change leg position, and periodically
move and stretch your legs and feet while seated.
Your doctor may suggest leg exercises— such as
those described in the box below— at regular in-
tervals (at least every hour or so).
If conditions allow and the aisles are clear, you
maywant to occasionally get up andwalk around.
But remember that youmust remain seatedwhen
the seat-belt light is on and should remain in your
seat with your seat belt fastened whenever pos-
sible, because of the possibility of turbulence. And
all passengers are required to comply with crew-
member and/or FAA instructions — especially
those relating to remaining seated.
Avoid crossing the legs at the ankles
or knees.
Stayhydrated; drink adequate nondiureticfluids
— such as water, juice and milk— and minimize
alcohol and caffeine intake.
Wear loose-fitting clothing.
Wear graduated-compression stockings.
It is possible that no measure intended to
prevent DVT will be effective. It is also possible
that some of the measures listed above may not
be recommended for some passengers, depend-
ing on their health situations as assessed by their
doctors.
There aremany sources of general information
about air travel and health. For more information,
visitwww.aa.comand type “personal health” in the
searchbox.
Ankle circles:
Lift your foot off
the floor and draw a circle in
the air with your toes pointed,
alternating direction. Continue
for 30 seconds. Repeat with
your other foot.
Foot pumps:
While keeping
your heels on the floor, point
your feet up as high as possible
towardyourhead. Putboth feet
back flat on the floor. While
keeping the balls of your feet
on thefloor, lift bothheels high.
Continue for 30 seconds.
Knee lifts:
Whileseated,march
slowly in place by contracting
each thighmuscle. Continue for
30 seconds.
Knee to chest:
Hold your left
knee and pull up toward your
chest. Hold for 10 to 15 sec-
onds. Slowly return to floor.
Alternate legs 10 times.
These exercises should not be
performed if they cause pain
or discomfort or if they are not
recommendedby your doctor.
PEANUTALLERGY
American recognizes that some passen-
gers are allergic topeanuts. Althoughwe
do not serve peanuts, we do serve other
nut products, and theremaybe traceele-
ments of unspecified peanut ingredients,
includingpeanutoils, inmealsandsnacks.
Wemakenoprovisions tobepeanut-free.
Additionally, other customers may bring
peanuts onboard. Therefore, we cannot
guarantee that customers will not be
exposed to peanuts duringflight, andwe
strongly encourage customers to take all
necessary medical precautions to pre-
pare for thepossibilityof exposure.
Wi-Fi in theSky
Experience connection speeds in the air similar to
mobile broadband Internet service on the ground.
Stay connected using anyWi-Fi-enabled device,
includingsmartphones (inairplanemode).
DomesticWi-Fi
(availableonmostAmericanAirlinesflights)
1. EnableWi-Fi onyourdevice
2. Searchandconnect to the “gogoinflight” signal
3. LaunchbrowserandCreateanAccountorLogin
InternationalWi-Fi
(777-300aircraft)
1. EnableWi-Fi onyourdevice
2. Searchandconnect to the “AA Inflight” signal
3. LaunchbrowserandchooseSign InorConnect
Findout ifWi-Fi is availableonyour next flight on
aa.com (underFlightStatus tab)orby locating the
Wi-Fi symbol onyourboardingpass.
Protect yourself from fraudulent emails.
Learnmore at aa.com/phishing
Cellphones
You may use your cellphone onboard until the
flight attendant advises that itmustbe switched
off. During flight, cellphones may be activated
only in theairplane/flightmode,with the cellular
transmitting function switched off. After land-
ing in the United States, the U.S. Virgin Islands
and Puerto Rico, cellphones may be used (when
authorized) on certain aircraft.* If you plan to
use your phone after landing, keep it available,
asFAA regulations requirepassengers to remain
seatedandall carry-onbaggage to remainstored
until the seat-belt signhas been switchedoff.
*Does not apply toAmericanEagleATR aircraft flights.
YourPersonalHealth:
DeepVeinThrombosis(DVT)
Possible In-FlightExercises
Staying
Connected
If you have a respiratory condition such as chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), travel by
air is not impossible; it just takes some advance
planning and coordination. Before you travel, it’s
important that you talkwith your physician to ad-
dress any concerns.When you book your American
Airlines orAmericanEagleflight, let us knowabout
any needs you have for special services (such as a
wheelchair, therapeuticoxygenoraportableoxygen
concentrator) so that a special-assistance coordi-
nator can help you with your request. Make sure
you contact your home oxygen supplier to provide
therapeutic oxygen before and after your flight or
during any connections, if required. For more in-
formation about living and traveling with chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease, contact the COPD
Foundation for their Big Fat Reference Guide at
(866) 316-2673 or go to copdfoundation.org.
RespiratoryConditions
AA.COM/NAVIGATE
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APRIL 1, 2013
