Grounded by Parkinson’s: When Airline Policy Becomes Prejudice

When journalist Mark Mardell was stopped from boarding his Turkish Airlines flight in Istanbul, it wasn’t because of security, bad behaviour or missing paperwork. It was because he has Parkinson’s disease. The airline refused to let him fly home without a doctor’s note declaring him “fit to travel”. He’d flown many times before — always using assisted boarding — and never once had a problem. Until that day. Turkish Airlines’ policy explicitly requires passengers with Parkinson’s to present a doctor’s report issued within the last ten days. The report must confirm that flying poses “no harm” and state whether the passenger can travel alone or must be accompanied. No other major carrier — not British Airways, Lufthansa, Emirates, Qantas, or American Airlines — demands such a certificate. For most, a traveller’s own judgment and the standard medical declaration at booking are enough. Mardell called the rule “prejudice dressed up as policy”, and he has a point. It implies that people with Parkinson’s are somehow unsafe, unpredictable, or a risk to others. In reality, the condition is not contagious, and many people with Parkinson’s manage their symptoms and medications well enough to travel independently. Requiring a medical note purely because of diagnosis crosses the line between reasonable safety and discrimination. Under UK and EU law, people with disabilities have the same right to air travel as anyone else. Airlines must make “reasonable adjustments” — such as providing boarding assistance or carrying mobility aids — but they cannot impose blanket restrictions. The Civil Aviation Authority’s rules are clear: no one should be denied boarding because of their condition unless there’s a specific and serious safety concern. The same principle appears in the US Air Carrier Access Act. In practice, though, international airlines vary in how they interpret “safety”. Some, like Turkish Airlines, still rely on old-fashioned medical clearance lists that lump Parkinson’s with acute or unstable conditions. These policies are meant to protect passengers but can easily become barriers when applied without understanding. Parkinson’s isn’t a short-term illness — it’s a long-term condition, and requiring constant medical notes ignores the lived reality of the people who have it. Mardell’s experience raises a wider question: how many people with chronic conditions face similar treatment but don’t speak up? Air travel is stressful enough without being told you’re “unfit” simply for existing with Parkinson’s. The ordeal left him stranded overnight, forced to rebook another flight at his own expense, and humiliated in a public space. It also highlighted how poorly some staff are trained to handle hidden disabilities. So what should travellers with Parkinson’s know before flying? In most cases, you do not need a medical certificate. You can request assistance — such as help with boarding or seating — and airlines must provide it free of charge if you give at least 48 hours’ notice. Keep your medication in your carry-on bag, bring it in original packaging, and carry a list of your prescriptions. If you use mobility aids, inform the airline ahead of time so they can handle them properly. If you’re ever told you can’t board because of your condition, ask calmly for the written policy, the name of the person making the decision, and the specific safety reason for denial. Document everything. In the UK, you can file a complaint with the Civil Aviation Authority. Similar protections exist in the EU and the US. Disability discrimination in air travel is not just bad practice — it’s unlawful. The deeper issue here isn’t paperwork. It’s attitude. Parkinson’s doesn’t take away a person’s right to move, explore, or live independently. Mardell’s story is a reminder that progress in accessibility is fragile, and stigma still finds its way into systems meant to help. Airlines have a duty to revisit outdated rules and train staff to recognise that not every medical condition is a risk. Travelling with Parkinson’s should mean managing your medication schedule and stretching your legs mid-flight — not defending your right to board.