Flying After 60: How to Prepare, Get Through the Airport, and Recover Well After Air Travel

The practical health guide every traveler 60+ should read before their next flight

You've earned this trip.

But somewhere between booking your flight and packing your bags, a quiet worry creeps in. Will I be able to handle the airport? What if my medications cause a problem at security? What if I don't feel well on the plane?

You're not alone. And you don't have to wing it.

Flying After 60 is a 23-page evidence-based guide written specifically for travelers 60 and older — organized around the three stages that matter most: preparing before you go, getting through the airport and flight, and recovering well after you land.

This is not a generic travel tip list. This is a practical, step-by-step guide backed by CDC, FAA, and clinical guidance, written by a retired attorney and travel rights advocate who has spent years helping older adults fly with confidence and dignity.

Here's what's inside:

Section 1 — Prepare Before You Go What to bring to your pre-travel doctor's appointment, how to build your travel health packet, what to do with medications and medical devices, and a complete packing template so nothing gets left behind.

Section 2 — At the Airport How to request wheelchair and mobility assistance, what to expect at TSA security, how to navigate the gate with less stress, and exactly what to say at every step — word for word.

Section 3 — On the Plane How to protect yourself from blood clots on long flights, why dehydration hits harder at altitude, FAA rules for portable oxygen concentrators, CPAP machines, insulin pumps, pacemakers, and hearing aids — plus how to manage airplane ear on descent.

Section 4 — After You Land What to do in the first hours after arrival, how to manage jet lag as an older traveler, and the red-flag symptoms after flying that are never just tiredness — including what to watch for up to three weeks after a long flight.

Section 5 — When Not to Fly The health conditions that require a doctor's clearance before booking, and everything you need to know about planning supplemental oxygen in advance.

Appendix — Quick-Reference Documentation Guidance A complete pre-flight timeline from six weeks out to landing day, plus every script in the guide collected in one place so you can print it and take it with you.

This guide includes:

— Documentation guidance for every stage of your journey — Scripts for requesting wheelchair assistance, TSA accommodations, pre-boarding, and medical help after landing — A medical device reference table covering POCs, CPAP, insulin pumps, pacemakers, and hearing aids — A blood clot prevention callout with seated exercises you can do in any seat — A red-flag warning box for post-flight symptoms that require prompt medical attention — A full Medical and Legal Disclaimer — because you deserve to know exactly what this guide is and what it isn't

Who this is for:

This guide is for you if you are 60 or older and flying for the first time in a while — or the first time ever. It is for you if you manage a chronic condition and want to travel without fear. It is for you if you take multiple medications and need to know how to carry them correctly. It is for you if you use a medical device and have no idea what the airline will and won't allow. It is for you if you just want a plan — clear, calm, and organized — before you walk into that airport.

About the author

Kim Kirkley, JD, MSW is a retired attorney, interfaith minister, and the founder of SeniorSavvyTravel.com — a travel rights and education platform dedicated to helping adults 60+ fly with confidence, dignity, and a plan. Kim has been featured on NY1 with Pat Kiernan discussing travel rights for older adults and has helped thousands of Savvy Senior travelers navigate airports, airlines, and disruptions with calm authority.

Flying After 60 is a downloadable PDF guide delivered instantly to your inbox. It is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. Always consult your physician before making health-related travel decisions.

Easy travels. ✈️ Kim Kirkley, JD, MSW — SeniorSavvyTravel.com