13 June 2025 : Dr Kunal Sood, an anesthesiology and interventional pain medicine physician, shared an Instagram video on June 13 in which he explained how sitting for extended periods on a flight can increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Tight spaces can further restrict blood flow, he said as he shared some tips to reduce your risk.
Understanding DVT risk on flights
In the video she titled, ‘POV (point of view): you are on the pill on a long haul flight’, a woman demonstrated how she did some exercises inside a washroom on a flight. Reacting to it, Dr Sood said: “Sitting for hours on a flight can increase your risk of deep vein thrombosis, which is a blood clot that forms in the deep veins, usually in the legs.”
He added, “The longer you are immobile, the slower your blood flows, which makes clotting more likely. The risk is higher if are on birth control (medication), recovering from an injury, a smoker or have a history of clotting disorders. But deep vein thrombosis can happen even without known risk factors.”
Summary:
Prolonged immobility on flights increases deep vein thrombosis risk. Doctors advise walking, calf stretches, hydration, and compression socks to stay safe during air travel.