While flying is one of the safest modes of transportation per kilometer travelled, it can put pressure on the mind and body.
This article contains general advice, followed at the reader's own risk. None of it should be taken as medical advice.<br/>If you have health issues that might be complicated by flying, consult your doctor.
The following issues and remedies are for those travelers with extra concerns about some conditions. Most people do just fine with a bottle of water, and perhaps a neck pillow and an eye mask for sleeping. For very long flights, extra measures may be useful, as noted below.
Less common issues
Air pressure is much lower at high altitude, and while a commercial aircraft cabin holds much of the pressure, in-flight cabin pressure is still much lower than on the ground, often equivalent to 8,000 feet/2500 meters above sea level. The Airbus A380 and A350 as well as the Boeing 787 "Dreamliner" have higher cabin pressure, equivalent to lower altitude, providing a bit more passenger comfort. Low cabin pressure can generate great discomfort if ears or sinuses are clogged, e.g., by allergies or a cold. If congested, and if your doctor has no concern about complications, consider taking a decongestant (anti-histamine optional) an hour or so before departure. An extended-release form may be preferable for a long flight. (If you hope to sleep, note that such potions make some people restless.) See altitude sickness for prolonged low pressure.
As any flight descends, most people have some trouble with pressure in their eardrums. That's why babies/infants then often cry loudly, having been quiet during takeoff and throughout the rest of the flight. Pinching your nose, closing your lips and trying to exhale (perhaps several times until landing) can relieve the pressure.
To prevent the discomfort in your eardrums, try yawning or moving your jaw (chewing gum or eating something) during takeoff and descent. For infants, let them nurse to relieve the pressure, but don't wake babies up for this, as sleeping babies often manage this pressure transition without difficulty—and if they don't, then they can start nursing when they wake up naturally. Give older children something to chew, like gum. Another remedy is a product called "EarPlanes," which are disposable earplugs available for $5–10 at drugstores. The plugs are specially designed to regulate the pressure in your ears and can make flying much easier for people who suffer ear pain when flying.
Restrictions and advice for some of these conditions can vary by airline, flight distances/times, total times to your destination(s), and availability of quality care at each stop and destination.
This change in air pressure can result in difficulties for people with some specific medical situations. Expansion of air inside the body means that colostomy users will need to change bags more frequently. Medical devices, such as catheter cuffs, that are held in place through air pressure may need to use an alternate system, such as filling the device with water.
The lower air pressure also means that it's a little harder for the body to get enough oxygen. For most people, oxygen levels only drop by about 4%, but people with severe or unstable heart disease, lung disease, or anemia risk low oxygen levels (hypoxia) while flying, especially on longer flights. The airline may require a "fitness to fly" certificate from your doctor, and your doctor may require either normal supplemental oxygen or an advanced oxygen system, or may prohibit you from flying at all, especially if there is a risk that the added strain could cause that unpredictable angina to turn into a heart attack mid-flight.
The air pressure changes are dangerous for people who have recently been scuba diving. On a diving holiday, it is advisable to plan on doing something else—perhaps shopping or relaxing in a beach-side bar—during the last day or two. See Scuba_diving#Preventing dive-related illness for discussion.
If you might be prone to breathing complications, avoid taking a flight with a destination much higher than your departure point; see Altitude sickness for details.
The following discussion should not be taken as medical advice.</br>Consult a doctor if you think you might have or be at risk for DVT during planned travel.
Passengers on long flights may be prone to deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is essentially blood clots forming in the veins, most often in the legs. It actually affects anyone who remains seated for long periods, e.g., train or car passengers. The elderly tend to have greater risk than the young. You can take precautions to avoid it:
Be aware of the early symptoms (e.g., pain or swelling in the legs) which you may notice during flight or later. If suspected, seek medical treatment promptly. If neglected, the condition can become serious, even fatal.
See a more comprehensive article at w:Deep vein thrombosis.
See also: Tobacco
As practically all commercial flights are non-smoking, and airports except designated areas, habitual tobacco consumers might face withdrawal symptoms during a long flight. Smokeless tobacco or nicotine gum might be used for substitute.
See also: Jet lag
While jet lag is not caused by flying itself, flying is the only way to move several time zones away too quickly for your internal clock to adopt. Symptoms can be aggravated by the stress and immobility that come from flying.
See also: Medications
IATA guidelines apply the 3-1-1 limits (in metric equivalents) to all international flights. They impose 100ml (3.4oz) limits on all liquids, gels and pastes in cabin baggage, including aerosols, toothpaste, deodorant/antiperspirant sticks, and drinks including water. All containers for those liquids must fit in a single clear bag/pouch smaller than 20cm x 20cm or 1 quart. Each container inside must meet the 100ml/3.4oz limit. Some exceptions are possible, e.g., for medical necessities or baby care items.
Have documentation that all medications belong to you, e.g., labeled bottles, copy of the doctor's prescription...for some countries, even more. Take no more meds than will be needed on your trip...plus a few extra of each type for possible multi-day delays. Make sure that no substance is not illegal in any transit country. For some countries, you'll need the country's written permission to carry the meds anywhere within its borders. Consult your homeland's "State Department" web site, e.g., .
As possible, place all medications and the transparent bag of 3-1-1 liquids where they can be easily seen at security check. If you need more capacity, place all Rx liquids and injectables separately in as few transparent bags as possible. Ensure all medications are kept in original containers/bottles clearly labeled by the issuing pharmacist. (For international travel, wait to sort medications into daily/weekly dose containers at your destination if so desired. If presorted before travel, customs officials seeing this will have no proof of the contents and may declare all as contraband.) Place all other liquids not meeting the 3-1-1 Rule in your checked luggage. You may be required to demonstrate the harmlessness of any liquid you're carrying on request by security officials.
Germs can spread on flights like anywhere else. The distance travelled creates risks of transmitting an infection between countries. Fortunately, ventilation systems on planes use much more fresh air from outside and less recirculated air than the systems in most buildings, and most airplane ventilation systems filter out small particles.
To reduce your risk of catching something from another passenger, practice usual good hygiene: wash your hands frequently, or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if it's not convenient to leave your seat, and avoid touching your face.
Researchers have found that passengers in window seats have less risk of contact with sick people. If you're concerned about infectious diseases, try to book a window seat, and avoid moving around the cabin during the flight.
Before sitting down, you can use disinfectant wipes to wipe down the area around your seat. Wipe hard surfaces, and if your seat is leather you can wipe that too. Don't wipe a cloth seat, as the moisture can make germs spread more easily. Follow the instructions on the packaging. And remember, while wiping down the area doesn't hurt, it's not a substitute for proper hygiene. It's more important to wash your hands and avoid touching your face.
When using the lavatory, use paper towels to turn off the faucet and open the door, then throw them away. At your seat, you can use a tissue to touch the touch screen or other controls.
One rule of thumb says "only insure what could ruin you". The rationale...why bother to get a policy protecting you on a twenty Euro flight with a no frills carrier? (And chances are, no company would offer such coverage just for that, for anything close to an acceptable rate.) Conversely, be sure you fully understand what could ruin you, e.g., per the discussion in Travel insurance. During travel a long way from home, the costs for an accident or medical emergency (e.g., for treatment, perhaps medical evacuation) really could ruin you. Other unexpected/unforeseen types of events noted in the article could also have serious costs...many times that for a quality policy.
Without your doctor's consultation, even good travel insurance may not cover you if you fail to notify the insurer and airline about health issues. The insurer may levy a surcharge for special coverage, or may not cover complications, e.g., that require unusual medical evacuation. The insurer and some airlines may also require written assurance from your doctor.