After Long-Haul Flight Doctors in the U.K. had ruled that the death of airline passenger Emma Christofferson had been caused by deep vein thrombosis, a condition that can be exacerbated by cramped spaces during long haul flights. She complained of feeling unwell on the last part of the 12,000-mile trip and collapsed in the arrival hall at Heathrow airport. She died before reaching a hospital. DVT affects approximately two million people in the U.S. each year. The condition is frequently caused by long periods spent in cramped conditions.
Sudden death is a likely outcome.
Qantas typically advises its passengers to exercise during flights to improve circulation by moving their legs and feet for three or four minutes every hour. Before Christofferson's post mortem was confirmed, there were suggestions that Christofferson was sky diving and scuba diving during her stay in Australia. Decompression sickness, which can occur if one flies within 24 hours of scuba diving, could have contributed to her death. Although anyone can develop blood clots, certain people are more vulnerable, including pregnant women, people who are overweight, smokers and those with coronary artery diseases and certain blood conditions. People with varicose veins or cancer are at risk, as are people with recent bed rest or recent general anesthesia.