Airlines Have Started Carrying Narcan Onboard Amid Opioid Epidemic
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
Airlines have not been insulated from the epidemic of opioid abuse in the United States. Earlier this month, a man died from an overdose onboard a Delta Air Lines flight, according to a passenger. Yahoo News reported that the death occurred aboard a flight from Boston to Los Angeles.
While Delta wouldn’t comment on any specifics citing privacy concerns, the carrier said that it will issue Narcan, the lifesaving opioid blocker, in its onboard emergency kits beginning this fall.
Delta is not alone in its decision to stock the medication. United Airlines told TPG it already carries Naloxone, the active chemical in the medication sold as Narcan, on its flights. American Airlines told us that the drug is available on 79% of its routes, and that it will equip the rest of its aircraft by the end of the year.
Southwest Airlines does not stock Naloxone in its emergency kits, and JetBlue did not respond by time of publication.
The decision of some airlines to carry Narcan comes after requests from flight attendants. The Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) issued a request to the Federal Aviation Administration that it require airlines carry opioid blockers on passenger flights in February of 2018. After the death on the Delta flight, AFA president Sara Nelson reaffirmed the call to carry the drug:
“Flight Attendants are aviation’s first responders and we need the proper tools to respond and save lives,” said Nelson.
Featured photo by Rawpixel/Unsplash.
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
WELCOME OFFER: 80,000 Points
TPG'S BONUS VALUATION*: $1,600
CARD HIGHLIGHTS: 3X points on dining and 2x points on travel, points transferrable to over a dozen travel partners
*Bonus value is an estimated value calculated by TPG and not the card issuer. View our latest valuations here.
- Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Enjoy benefits such as a $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining and 2x on all other travel purchases, plus more.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 80,000 points are worth $1,000 toward travel.
- With Pay Yourself Back℠, your points are worth 25% more during the current offer when you redeem them for statement credits against existing purchases in select, rotating categories
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.