TIPS FOR HEALTHY USEFUL TIPS FOR AIRLINE important to check with your carrier several days in

advance of the flight. Furthermore, the combination

COMFORTABLE AIR TRAVEL TRAVEL of low oxygen, alcohol, inactivity and sleep can
Air travel in commercial aircraft is fast, convenient, generate unpleasant side effects like dizziness and/or
PLAN AHEAD: and safe with the vast majority of passengers reaching fainting if one stands up too fast after awakening.
near and distant destinations safely and without Arm and leg exercises before standing up will usually
>BE SURE YOUR IMMUNIZATIONS ARE prevent this.
deleterious health effects. However, the aircraft
CURRENT.
environment and travel related factors can cause
>DELAY YOUR TRIP IF YOU ARE NOT WELL. certain stresses on the traveler, and several tips can B) Gas Expansion
>RESERVE A SEAT BY THE WING IF YOU ARE make travel more enjoyable. This brochure has been
PRONE TO AIR SICKNESS. prepared by the Aerospace Medical Association to The body contains air in the middle ear (inside of the
>SEEK THE ADVICE OF YOUR PHYSICIAN IF provide passengers with general health information ear drum) and sinuses. As the aircraft ascends, the air
THERE IS ANY QUESTION. and useful air travel tips. in these cavities will expand to the outside via tubes
>ALLOW AMPLE TIME TO CHECK IN AND connecting them to the nose. On descent the reverse
EFFECTS OF ALTITUDE occurs with air flowing from outside to these cavities
REACH YOUR DEPARTURE GATE.

USEFUL
via the same tubes. This is well tolerated as long as
>CARRY YOUR MEDICATION WITH YOU. the air can flow into and out of these cavities freely.
>WEAR LOOSE, COMFORTABLE CLOTHING Although aircraft cabins are pressurized, that pressure
(called barometric pressure) is less than that on the To facilitate the free flow of air, particularly on
AND COMFORTABLE SHOES THAT HAVE descent, it is helpful to periodically swallow, chew, or
ground. For most flights the cabin pressure is the

TIPS FOR
BEEN WORN PREVIOUSLY. yawn. (This is why it is important that passengers
same as that at 5,000 - 8,000 feet above sea level. In
other words, when you are flying, the atmosphere stay awake during descent.) Give something to drink
INFLIGHT: to young children or a pacifier to infants.
within the aircraft is like that on the 5,000 - 8,000

AIRLINE
>>EAT LIGHTLY. feet peak of a small mountain. This has two effects:
there is less oxygen available because the pressure of Individuals with ear, nose and sinus infections should
>>DRINK WATER AND FRUIT JUICES.
oxygen becomes lower; and, gas within our body avoid flying because the congestion prevents the air
>>DO NOT PLACE ANYTHING UNDER THE from flowing freely in and out of these cavities which
cavities expands. Both of these phenomena are

TRAVEL
SEAT IN FRONT OF YOU SO YOU CAN
usually well tolerated by healthy passengers. could result in pain, bleeding, and possibly a
STRETCH AND EXERCISE YOUR LEGS. ruptured ear drum.
>>STAND AND WALK ABOUT THE CABIN
PERIODICALLY.
A) Oxygen Also, avoid gas forming foods or liquids before flight.
>>RELAX AND ENJOY YOUR FLIGHT. There is less oxygen absorbed into the blood and
circulated throughout the body during flight as THE CABIN ENVIRONMENT
Useful Tips for Airline Travel can be found on the compared to ground level due to a decrease in oxygen
Aerospace Medical Association's Web Site with an increased cabin altitude. As long as you are A) Air Quality
(http://www.asma.org). in reasonably good health, your body has
Aerospace Medical Association physiological mechanisms that compensate for this In all modern pressurized aircraft, half the cabin air
The Aerospace Medical Association also has a 52 page 320 South Henry Street decreased quantity of oxygen. On the other hand, is fresh air drawn in via the engines with the other
publication entitled Medical Guidelines for Airline half recirculated from the cabin. The recirculated air
Alexandria, Virginia 22314 passengers with significant heart, lung, and blood
Travel. It provides information for physicians to diseases may not well tolerate lower amounts of is ducted through an air filter (see HEPA below)
enable them to properly advise patients with oxygen. Therefore, they should consult their before being reintroduced into the cabin. There is a
preexisting illness who plan to travel by air. Copies physician before air travel to evaluate their capability total air change (filtered recirculated plus outside air)
can be obtained by telephone 703-739-2240 X 106 to travel and to determine if there is a need for every 2 - 3 minutes or 20 to 30 exchanges per hour.
or 107 or email ([email protected]). Cost, including medical oxygen or other special assistance. Medical This is far more than for any home or office building
shipping and handling, is $18.00. Reprint and Copyright © by and easily maintains cabin contaminants to low
oxygen can be arranged with most airlines and it is
Aerospace Medical Association 2001 levels. Several studies of the past l0 - 15 years have
confirmed that the levels of volatile organic >Keep seat belts fastened while seated. MISCELLANEOUS CONCLUSIONS
compounds (solvents), airborne particulates, carbon >Consult your physician about motion
monoxide, carbon dioxide, ozone and microbials were sickness medication if necessary. Passengers requiring prescription medications should
Air travel, whether for business or pleasure, whether
well within acceptable health levels of our regulatory always carry them on board in their hand luggage.
short haul or long haul, is safe and should be
agencies. D) Space This is especially important if you are taking
enjoyable. Understanding the aircraft cabin
medication for heart disease, diabetes, or seizures.
environment and planning ahead can make your
The newer aircraft with recirculation systems use Because of crowding in some aircraft, passengers are journey more comfortable for the healthy traveler as
High Efficiency Particulate Air Filters (HEPA). They frequently uncomfortable and unable to stretch or Jet lag is often associated with air travel especially
when crossing multiple time zones. The symptoms well as the traveler with medical conditions or special
are the same as in hospital operating rooms and trap easily leave their seats. In susceptible individuals, needs. If in doubt, check with your physician or your
particulates and microbials (bacteria, fungi, and some prolonged periods of immobility, can increase the risk of jet lag are multiple and vary with each individual,
but result mainly from the internal body clock being airline.
viruses). Although there have been cases of infectious for blood clots to form in the legs. This can occur in
disease transmission in aircraft cabins, there is a train, car, bus, or aircraft. Consequently, it is called out of phase with the daily schedule at the travel
destination. Sleep is also often disrupted, leading to The Aerospace Medical Association is pleased to
evidence that transmission was due to person-to- travelers thrombosis. There is no epidemiological provide these air travel tips and hopes that they will
person contact by breathing or coughing on one's evidence of a particular link with air travel itself. additional fatigue. Adjusting to jet lag is generally
easier when travel is to the west, but most travelers help you have a more pleasant trip.
neighbor rather than through the aircraft ventilation
system. Person-to-person transmission can occur in Travelers thrombosis can cause pain and/or swelling adjust to the new time after a few days. Several tips
any confined space whether in an airplane, office, or of the legs during travel or even several days or weeks may help diminish the effects.
room. For this reason, individuals with contagious afterwards. Clots in the legs are not serious in >Rest well before the flight.
diseases, particularly serious ones such as TB, should themselves, but occasionally they break off and travel >Try to move 1-2 hours toward the destination
not travel by air until the illness is in remission. to the lungs causing what is called pulmonary time before flight, if your schedule permits.
embolism. This is not a common occurrence but >Eat lightly before and during the flight.
B) Humidity when it does happen, it can be life threatening.
>Once departed, reset watches and other
Aircraft cabin relative humidity is usually less than Nevertheless, a few simple tips might decrease the activities to the destination time.
20%, which is fairly dry. Although these low levels risk >Drink water and fruit juices inflight and
may be a source of mild discomfort (dry skin and >Wear loose clothing and avoid tight, minimize alcoholic beverages.
eyes), there is little risk to your health. restrictive garments. >Consider using caffeinated beverages
>Place nothing under the seat in front of you strategically during the day to mask fatigue
Minimize discomfort from dryness by so you can stretch and periodically but avoid use within 4-6 hours of bedtime
>Drinking reasonable amounts of water and exercise your feet and ankles. when the effect may make sleep onset more
juices >Drink mainly juices and water while difficult.
>Limiting consumption of alcohol, tea, coffee, minimizing alcohol and caffeinated >Wear loose, comfortable clothing.
and caffeinated drinks because they cause beverages. >Schedule outdoor activities on the first few days About the AEROSPACE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION:
you to lose fluids. >Walk about the cabin periodically (every 60 at the new destination.
>After arrival, adjust to destination time as soon Founded in 1929, The Aerospace Medical Association
>Wearing spectacles instead of contact lenses. - 90 minutes). (AsMA) is the world’s leading organization in aviation,
>Applying a skin moisturizer. >Consult your physician if you have as possible.
>Limit naps to a single nap of 30-40 minutes or space, and environmental medicine. A non-profit
underlying illness such as coronary artery professional organization of physicians, nurses, engineers,
C) Motion disease, cancer, or blood clotting disorder. less. Go to bed and awaken at the appropriate
time for the new time zone. and research scientists, AsMA is dedicated to enhancing
>Discuss with your physician if sleep medication health, promoting safety, and improving the performance of
For those susceptible to motion sickness all who travel or work in the air, beneath the sea, and in
could be beneficial.
>Request a seat over the wings. outer space. If you are interested in learning more about us,
>Schedule flights on larger airplanes. For travelers who SCUBA dive, it is advisable to wait please check out our Web site at http://www.asma.org, or
>Request a window seat. 24 hours after the last dive before taking to the skies write to us at the address on the front of this brouchure.
>Avoid alcohol for the 24 hours prior to flight so as to minimize the risk of developing
and inflight. decompression illness, such as the bends.