Bryan Betty: How to deal with Long Haul flights

What issues can arise on a long haul flight? 

• The main complaints tend to be irritating more than anything 
• Becoming dehydrated – can lead to headaches, dry mouth, dry nose 
• Not being able to sleep, ankle swelling 
• Cramped conditions, especially in economy class seats! 
• More serious: deep vein thrombosis – leg clots due to not moving around. 

  

How do we improve comfort? 

• Really important to stay hydrated - plenty of fluid. 
• Wear loose fitting clothes – you want to be comfortable. 
• Carry lip balm or nasal spray to moisten nasal passages if dry - for comfort. 
• Don’t drink alcohol or overdrink alcohol – it can worsen dehydration, headache and interfere with sleep. 

  

Are there issues with food and taste? 

• At 30,000 feet your taste buds don’t’ work as well and food tastes ‘bland’. 
• Also, your nose can dry out which affects taste. 
• Airlines tend to produce stronger flavoured food such as curries to compensate. 
• Up to 30% more sugar and salt in food to add to taste. 
• Don’t overeat as we tend to bloat as gas forms in abdomen, which can cause abdominal discomfort.  

  

And sleep? 

• Carry eye shade and ear plugs, and a neck pillow is a really good idea. 
• Best thing to do is work out the sleep time at your destination before you go and try and sleep at that time on the flight. 
• Some use melatonin, a ‘sleep hormone’ 

  

How do we avoid blood clots? 

• Two key things – stay hydrated and get up and move around every 3-4 hours to get blood circulating. 
• Failing that wiggle toes and bend knees in your seat frequently. 
• Some choose to wear compression of flight stockings which encourage blood to circulate. 
• They also reduce ankle swelling! 
• If you have persistent leg swelling, chest pain or SOB in weeks after a long-haul flight – see your GP! 

 

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.