Airport Health Clinics and Flight Refunds for Illness

The flu season must be running long this year, because I'm seeing lots of stories about flying while sick...or, how to get out of your flight because you are sick.

Not surprisingly, because airline tickets are so expensive - and airlines so inflexible - most people board the plane, even when they have contagious things like the flu, bronchitis or, as evidenced in 2003, SARS. Chris Elliot has a number of suggestions on how to take on the airlines, but there is definitely no magic bullet. Looking like you're on your death bed only works sometimes...ditto with asking nicely or escalating to a supervisor. Read the full article on traveling when ill at MSN.

Alternatively, if you can't get out of your flight and you must fly, more health care options might become available, such as a airport clinic. These businesses will diagnose anything from strep throat to providing flu shots - much like walk in services at your local pharmacy. You can spot them in Atlanta and Newark and they'll soon open up in Philly and JFK.