According to research from Comparetravelinsurance.com.au, you're over a hundred times more likely to catch a cold during a flight. The confined space and re-circulated air means that if a passenger is ill, they're likely to pass their germs on to others. Additionally, low cabin humidity dries up the protective mucus in our noses and throats and makes us more susceptible to germs.
Avoid germs by washing your hands frequently and staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water. You could also carry sanitising wipes to wipe your tray table, apparently one of the dirtiest surfaces on a plane.
There might be a scientific reason why you don't enjoy airplane food. Research commissioned by Lufthansa shows that cabin pressure, the dry air, loud background noise and low humidity cause dulled taste buds.
However, it’s not all bad news. While our ability to taste sweet foods is suppressed, research shows that conditions in the air make foods rich in umami, the savoury flavour found in things like mushrooms and parmesan cheese, taste better. It's why tomato juice is such a popular drink to order in the air so join the crowd when the drinks trolley comes round – it'll taste better than it does on land.
Sitting still in the same spot for hours on end can limit your blood circulation. In extreme cases, it can cause deep vein thrombosis (DVT) – when blood clots form in the deep veins of your legs. Research shows that the longer the flight, the greater the risk of developing DVT.
Deep vein thrombosis is easy to avoid. As well as staying hydrated and wearing loose clothing, make sure you get up and walk around every two hours, if not more. Simple exercises like flexing your ankles can also improve blood flow through the legs. Wearing compression stockings on longer flights can also significantly reduce your risk of developing DVT.
Many of us suffer from a fear of flying. According to a YouGov poll, the top three aspects that people are afraid of are technical failures, turbulence and bad weather while flying.
There are a number of ways to counter anxiety while flying. While on board, make sure you’ve got plenty to distract you like downloading your favourite TV series onto a portable device or taking a stack of magazines or a book. Using a mindfulness app like Headspace can also help to put your mind at ease. If your anxiety is so bad you can’t contemplate getting on a plane, a fear of flying course could be a good option.
We all know the feeling: getting off a flight feeling bloated, even though we haven’t eaten much at all. It's due to changes in air pressure which can cause a build up and expansion of gas in your body. It can also be a symptom of dehydration.
Cabin air pressure reduces our oxygen supply which is one of the reasons why many people feel drowsy on plane journeys. Cabins are typically pressurised to around 75% of the oxygen available at sea level. When your body tries to reduce how much energy you use to compensate for the reduced amount of oxygen, you’ll start to feel tired.
While you might be happy to doze off on the flight, it might not be wise. Airline staff recommend staying awake during daytime flights, as sticking with the rhythm of the light outside will be less disruptive to your sleep patterns. To avoid an unwanted snooze, drink plenty of water and avoid heavy meals.
If you often get a splitting headache hours during your flight, it’s not just because of the screaming baby next to you or the noisy plane engines. Headaches can also be caused by changes in air pressure and from holding your neck in an awkward position for too long.
Your breath might not be at its best when you’re on a plane. Air pressure in the cabin (yes, it strikes again) can cause saliva production to slow down, meaning bacteria is more prevalent. Eating at irregular times, not eating at all and not brushing your teeth on the flight can also contribute.
Many passengers suffer from motion sickness. Nausea occurs when your brain is confused by conflicting signals. For example, if your inner ear detects movements and sends different signals from those your eyes are sending, or vice versa.
To combat motion sickness, avoid reading or putting your head down as any extra movement could be even more confusing to your body. Instead, focus on a fixed point on the horizon and avoid moving your head. Ginger aids digestion so opt for a ginger ale from the drinks trolley or have hard ginger sweets to hand. Other helpful methods include sitting near the front of the plane to avoid bumpiness and taking motion sickness medicine.
A study by Gatwick Airport found that people were far more likely to cry when watching a film on a flight than if they were at home or in a cinema. There is no definitive reason why but there are plenty of theories, including that high altitude can make us feel more tired, and therefore more emotional.
If you don’t mind having an emotional outburst, just make sure to pack some tissues. However, to give yourself the best chance of remaining calm and collected, drink water regularly. Research shows becoming even slightly dehydrated can have an effect on our mood.
Most of us will have experienced ear pain or blockage on a plane. As with so many other flying-related afflictions, it's down to air pressure changes in the cabin. As the plane starts to descend, pressure in the cabin increases which can make the eardrum stretch and cause you pain as the ear adjusts to the change in air pressure.
There are several simple ways to prevent ear pain and blockage. Swallowing, chewing gum, sucking sweets and yawning can reduce the pressure in your ears, while pinching your nose, closing your mouth and blowing through your nose can help to unblock them.
It’s one of flying’s least enjoyable side effects but it’s the reality: flying can make you constipated. There are several reasons why: the change in routine, not moving your body for hours on end and air pressure changes are all responsible for an uncomfortable case of constipation and stomach pains.