Posted By Neil Pearson
Since no-one else has tackled this, and I hate seeing a (0) next to a message...

The airline is not under any absolute duty in this case, and needs to do what is practicable at most. The engineering design you refer to would be quite tricky to correct as it would have many knock-on effects, probably including emergency escape.

I know how you feel, and I have long legs. But solving the problem is never as easy as it sounds, and the cost would be enormous (basically replacing all those planes).

Posted By Diane Thomason
Anyone who's interested in DVT risk might be interested in this:

"DVT RESEARCH 'FLIGHT'


Researchers from the University of Leicester are to undertake a study, which could prove for the first time if there is a link between flying and potentially lethal blood clots.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) has been dubbed "economy-class syndrome" after being linked to a string of cases in which people have died following long-haul fights.

The condition is known to be caused by sitting still for long periods, but it has never been proved if there is any specific link to flying.

Hospitals in Leicestershire typically see around 1,000 cases of DVT a year, although only a small proportion of these will have happened after people have been flying.

Now, a team of researchers at Glenfield Hospital is to carry out a study on 32 healthy volunteers, who will sit through an eight-hour simulated flight, with a cabin pressure equivalent to that at an altitude of 8,000ft, at RAF Henlow, in Bedfordshire.

Volunteers will be monitored to see if the flight triggers the body's blood clotting system.

The study is part of an international research programme, the WRIGHT project, which is being overseen by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), to quantify how big a risk flying is and to identify any risk factors which could make one person more likely to suffer DVT than another. The work is being funded by the UK Government Department for Transport, the Department of Health, and the European Commission.

The study is headed by Dr William Toff, Senior Lecturer in Cardiology, in collaboration with Alison Goodall, Professor of Thrombosis & Haemostasis, both of whom are based in the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences in the University’s Clinical Sciences Unit at Glenfield Hospital.

Dr Toff said: "We are looking to clarify the strength of the association between long-haul air travel and DVT. We accept there probably is a link.

"The study aims to find out if there's anything specific about the aeroplane cabin that makes it more likely for people to get a clot, over and above the risk from sitting still.

"We are particularly interested in the possible effects of the reduced air pressure and oxygen levels."

Professor Goodall added: “The results of this study should not only determine whether there really is a risk to air travellers but will help to inform us on the best way to prevent DVT during long-haul flights”

DVT means blood clots form in the deep veins of the legs, from where they may travel up to the lungs, causing breathing difficulties and, in some cases, death.

A spokesman for British Airways said: "We believe there should be much more research done on, and greater understanding of, the risks of DVT. We are already taking part in research and the more research that is done, the better it will be."

Anyone interested in taking part in the DVT research should call the team on 0116 2563046 for more information."


As it says here, the key factor with DVT is sitting still for long periods. So the advice at present is to move around as much as possible during your flight - wander about in the aisles (annoy the cabin crew) and, if your airline shows one of those videos with soppy exercises to do while you're sitting in your seat, do them!

Diane

Posted By Diane Thomason
Dave, I see you picked up my lighthearted comment "annoy the cabin crew" and took it seriously!

This was meant to be a teensy joke-ette suggesting that walking up and down in the aisles will annoy the cabin crew. In my own experience the crew don't mind at all if you leave your seat for a leg stretch.

If anyone else managed to infer that I was somehow advocating "air rage" type harassment of cabin crew then I apologise! But I sincerely hope most people took the comment as meant.

Diane

Posted By Jim Walker
Interesting info Diane.
Heres me thinking the causes of DVT were already identified as caused by small seats and poor air quality.

Dave, a row of poor seats less and a bit better air is surely "reasonably practicable". I know the economics, but if I can fly to spain for less that it costs for the taxi to the airport there are room for savings on premium flights.
Particually for the monopoly airline such as Air France and good ol BA.

Posted By Raymond Rapp
Interesting and topical point, particularly as a friend on mine recently lost his daughter-in-law due to DVT on a long-haul flight.

I know little about DVT but reading the various threads a thought occurred, there are a number of activities (mostly travel) that require a person to sit still or relatively still in cramped surroundings but they do not seem to cause DVT. Is it I wonder more to do with the cabin air pressure as opposed to the ergonomics?

Noting the remark that the University of Leicester (I am a student there) will be doing some research and testing those at an air pressure of 8,000 ft I believe, when normal long-haul flights are 34-37,000 ft. Would this anomoly cause the research to be invalid or is the air pressure much the same? Dave, you might know or be able to find out.

Ray

Posted By Dave Wilson
Ray,

Sorry to hear about your friends daughter mate, a tradegy and my best wishes go out to them.

As far as the flight level question, 35000ft is about right for longhaul, give or take a few 1000's dependand on routing / destination etc.