Tips for comfortable air travel – part 2
Airline travel tips
THE CABIN ENVIRONMENT
A) Air Quality
In all modern pressurized aircraft, half the cabin air is fresh air drawn in via the engines with the other half recirculated from the cabin. The recirculated air is ducted through an air filter before being reintroduced into the cabin. There is a total air change (filtered recirculated plus outside air) every 2 -- 3 minutes or 20 to 30 exchanges per hour. This is far more than for any home or office building and easily maintains cabin contaminants to low levels. Several studies of the past l0 -- 15 years have confirmed that the levels of volatile organic compounds , airborne particulates, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, ozone and microbials were well within acceptable health levels of our regulatory agencies. The newer aircraft with recirculation systems use High Efficiency Particulate Air Filters (HEPA). They are the same as in hospital operating rooms and trap particulates and microbials (bacteria, fungi, and some viruses). Although there have been cases of infectious disease transmission in aircraft cabins, there is evidence that transmission was due to person-toperson contact by breathing or coughing on one’s neighbor rather than through the aircraft ventilation system. Person-to-person transmission can occur in any confined space whether in an airplane, office, or room. For this reason, individuals with contagious diseases, particularly serious ones such as TB, should not travel by air until the illness is in remission.
B) Humidity
Aircraft cabin relative humidity is usually less than 20%, which is fairly dry. Although these low levels may be a source of mild discomfort (dry skin and eyes), there is little risk to your health.
Minimize discomfort from dryness by
- Drinking reasonable amounts of water and juices
- Limiting consumption of alcohol, tea, coffee, and caffeinated drinks because they cause you to lose fluids.
- Wearing spectacles instead of contact lenses.
- Applying a skin moisturizer.
C) Motion
For those susceptible to motion sickness
- Request a seat over the wings.
- Schedule flights on larger airplanes.
- Request a window seat.
- Avoid alcohol for the 24 hours prior to flight and inflight.
- Keep seat belts fastened while seated.
- Consult your physician about motion sickness medication if necessary.
D) Space
Because of crowding in some aircraft, passengers are frequently uncomfortable and unable to stretch or easily leave their seats. In susceptible individuals, prolonged periods of immobility, can increase the risk for blood clots to form in the legs. This can occur in a train, car, bus, or aircraft. Consequently, it is called travelers thrombosis. There is no epidemiological evidence of a particular link with air travel itself. Travelers thrombosis can cause pain and/or swelling of the legs during travel or even several days or weeks afterwards. Clots in the legs are not serious in themselves, but occasionally they break off and travel to the lungs causing what is called pulmonary embolism. This is not a common occurrence but when it does happen, it can be life threatening.
Nevertheless, a few simple tips might decrease the risk
- Wear loose clothing and avoid tight, restrictive garments.
- Place nothing under the seat in front of you so you can stretch and periodically exercise your feet and ankles.
- Drink mainly juices and water while minimizing alcohol and caffeinated beverages.
- Walk about the cabin periodically (every 60 -- 90 minutes).
- Consult your physician if you have underlying illness such as coronary artery disease, cancer, or blood clotting disorder.
MISCELLANEOUS
Passengers requiring prescription medications should always carry them on board in their hand luggage. This is especially important if you are taking medication for heart disease, diabetes, or seizures. Jet lag is often associated with air travel especially when crossing multiple time zones. The symptoms of jet lag are multiple and vary with each individual, but result mainly from the internal body clock being out of phase with the daily schedule at the travel destination. Sleep is also often disrupted, leading to additional fatigue. Adjusting to jet lag is generally easier when travel is to the west, but most travelers adjust to the new time after a few days.
Several tips may help diminish the effects.
- Rest well before the flight.
- Try to move 1-2 hours toward the destination time before flight, if your schedule permits.
- Eat lightly before and during the flight.
- Once departed, reset watches and other activities to the destination time.
- Drink water and fruit juices inflight and minimize alcoholic beverages.
- Consider using caffeinated beverages strategically during the day to mask fatigue but avoid use within 4-6 hours of bedtime when the effect may make sleep onset more difficult.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing.
- Schedule outdoor activities on the first few days at the new destination.
- After arrival, adjust to destination time as soon as possible.
- Limit naps to a single nap of 30-40 minutes or less. Go to bed and awaken at the appropriate time for the new time zone.
- Discuss with your physician if sleep medication could be beneficial.
For travelers who SCUBA dive, it is advisable to wait 24 hours after the last dive before taking to the skies so as to minimize the risk of developing decompression illness, such as the bends.
CONCLUSIONS
Air travel, whether for business or pleasure, whether short haul or long haul, is safe and should be enjoyable. Understanding the aircraft cabin
environment and planning ahead can make your journey more comfortable for the healthy traveler as well as the traveler with medical conditions or special needs. If in doubt, check with your physician or your airline.
Source: The Aerospace Medical Association
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