Flying long haul with parents in mid 80s

[fortroyale]

My parents are active and fit. They have health problems but still live independently in their own home, with a gardener/cleaner etc.

I have a big birthday coming up. I’d like to visit a particular Caribbean island. We’d either rent a big villa or stay in a small but nice hotel.

My father has always wanted to visit but for whatever reason hasn’t got around to going. His dad was an administrator of the then colony in the 1930s.

Would we be mad to allow them/invite them to join us? They’d fly business class and get comfortable cabs to and from the airport et cetera. They both love swimming so a hotel pool would be lovely for them.

Has anyone got experience of people in their mid 80s flying long haul? It’s about 10 hours on the flight.

Do they normally fly long haul?

Can they get insured for long haul? I know after 75 it gets a lot harder

I don't see anything wrong with asking them, they can say no if they don't feel up to it. 10 hours isn't all that long really.

Shouldn't be a problem with B.C. travel.
My 85 yo Aunt-in-law recently travelled Oz to UK & was fine - spoiled rotten by the crew !

I have two sets of neighbours who regularly do this, they always fly business or first class. One neighbour loves Sandals holidays and the other one goes to somewhere else in the Caribbean. They are the same age as the OP’s parents and they both go for at least two weeks.

My DF is 85 and never seems to stop flying long haul! Most recently South Africa but also the US last year.
So it’s definitely possible - he has no major health issues which helps of course. He’s 6’4” so does fly business.

You can ask them, don't know why you wouldn't really. They can always say no thanks

I know a 90 year old that flew to Australia for his big birthday, and then went up in a helicopter along the coast.

My DHs aunty has travelled from Cape Town to Manchester a few times in her 80s on her own. She's fared very well with help and a wheelchair if necessary for the connecting flight layover.

I would just check the insurance before any plans are made.

My DF is 87 and coming to Caribbean with us on April. Last year he came to Antarctica with us and to Utah on a motorhome trip. My husband is a saint though! The only advice I would give is make sure you help them through the airport as it can be confusing.

Of course you invite them. Explain the Business Class, assistance at airport either end, and arrange insurance if they haven't got it already. They will either be absolutely thrilled, or explain why they don't feel they can do it.

Not to invite them is assuming they are incapable of the trip. I am sure they would be more offended about you thinking that than to invite them in the first place!

Lovely idea, and whether they go or not, they will always know you wanted them with you there.

By all means ask them, they can only say no thank you.

Definitely check they're insurable first, you'd be surprised. And that they're allowed to fly long haul by their consultant if they have one - when you book airport assistance with the airline you're sometimes asked to confirm this.

Then if all is OK I'd build in at least one recuperation / do nothing day after the flight into your plans as, in my experience, any length of flight knocks the stuffing out of that age group.