Modern air travel is remarkably safe, and normally poses no significant challenges to your health. Overall, travelling can be fun, and most people don't get sick. However, travelling by air does come with an increase in some health risks. Knowing what to look out for, and following the advice given below, can help you avoid these risks. If you do get sick, rest up, keep up your fluids and consider seeing your doctor.
There are several aspects of air travel that can impact your body:
The human body was not made to jump thousands of miles within a few hours; our bodies become confused when they move across time zones and days change their length. In addition, the preparations for flight (arriving at the airport on time, going through airport security, taking care of baggage, passports, tickets, etc.) can cause you stress and tire you out,
The air in an airplane's cabin contains about 10% less oxygen than usual. This is usually not a problem for healthy people, but can increase the risk of headaches, nausea and other ailments. This is especially true for young children and people with certain medical conditions, including heart, lung and circulation problems. [1] [2]
Air pressure inside the cabin of an airplane is also lower than normal. This causes any air found inside your body to expand. Normally this will not be a problem, but it can pose a risk to people with heart, lung and circulation problems (as above), and also to people who are recovering from recent surgery, especially eye, ear or brain surgery. A surgical procedure can often result in small 'air pockets' forming in the area. These pockets gradually disappear in the days and weeks after surgery, but if you fly, they are in danger of bursting.
At usual flying altitudes, the air is usually at least 10% drier than normal. Dry air dries up the delicate linings of our nose and throat, making them prone to infections.
People on flights, especially long-haul flights, find themselves sitting for long periods of time without much room or opportunity to move or stretch.
A deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is when a blood clot forms within a deep vein, usually in the calf or thigh. If a clot becomes dislodged it can cause serious injury, including a pulmonary embolism that blocks the movement of blood from the heart to the lungs. DVT is associated with inactivity: when your muscles don't move, blood moves more slowly through your veins and can form a clot more easily.
Flying increases the risk of DVT, because flying usually involves long periods of sitting down. Any flight over four hours, or taking a number of flights close together, may put you at risk.
You can reduce the risk of getting DVT on your flight by drinking lots of fluids, stretching your legs and walking around the cabin at regular intervals throughout the flight. Compression stockings can also be worn on your lower legs, to reduce the risk of developing a DVT. Check our report on DVT for ways to lower your risk of DVT.
People flying shortly after surgery are at particular risk of DVT, as they are more prone to inactivity before and during their flight home.
During a flight, you are in constant motion, which can be disorienting to some. To reduce the effect of motion sickness if you are particularly prone to it: fly at night, adjust your seat to recline when this is allowed; ask your flight company to sit you near the plane's center; consider medications to reduce motion sickness.
Anecdotally, many people swear they get sick every time they travel on a plane. Some even term it the 'airplane cold'. One study found that people travelling on planes were at least five times more likely to catch a cold. [3]
Some small studies have identified the cause of this. The air quality on planes is sufficiently clean thanks to constant recirculation and filtration. However, despite stringent hygiene standards, aeroplanes are a potential incubator for viruses and bacteria, which can survive on surfaces for several hours. The toilet, which is shared on average by 50 people, can harbor many sources of infection. Other surfaces such as tray tables, pillows, blankets and magazines, are also potential contamination sites.
In addition, long-haul flights, travel-related stress and high altitudes can tire the body. Fatigue leads to an increased susceptibility to catching a cold (or other infections). The constant noise and vibration can also add to the stressful environment.
Microscopic, single-celled organisms with DNA but no definite nucleus. Bacteria are the cause of many human diseases.
A blood vessel carrying blood (usually non-oxygenated) from the body's tissues to the heart.
The thickened or solid mass formed from a liquid, such as blood. Blood clots normally form at an injury site to prevent further blood loss.
Australia Bureau of Statistics. “International Movements - 2014-15” Accessed November 24, 2015.
Bettes, T. N., and D. K. McKenas. “Medical Advice for Commercial Air Travelers.” American Family Physician 60, no. 3 (September 1, 1999): 801–8, 810.
Low, James A., and Daniel K. Y. Chan. “Air Travel in Older People.” Age and Ageing 31, no. 1 (January 1, 2002): 17–22.
Many women end up travelling during this period, as they may not yet know that they are pregnant, or do not want to delay travel plans organized before pregnancy occurred.
The first trimester of pregnancy can be hard on many women. Morning sickness, motion sickness, tiredness, and the need to go to the toilet frequently are not easy anywhere, and doubly so during travel. That said, some women feel fine (or nearly so) at this point and have no trouble travelling.
In addition, the first trimester is the most likely time for a miscarriage to occur. Flying does not add to the risk of miscarriage, but having a miscarriage while travelling can be an upsetting experience.
Air travel is normally considered safe during the first trimester unless your pregnancy is considered high-risk. Consult your doctor if you are concerned.
During the flight itself:
This is considered the best time to travel as long you are having a low-risk pregnancy and your doctor has given you the go-ahead.
Now may not be the best time to travel, due to the obvious physical constraints of your pregnancy such as a large belly, your ankles swelling up during travel, feeling uncomfortable sitting for long periods, needing the toilet often and getting tired quickly.
Be aware that many airlines will not allow you to fly if you are 28 weeks pregnant or more, but this varies - check before you book.
Air travel can become riskier or more complicated for people with certain medical conditions. Ask your doctor for advice on flying if you:
For people with diabetes, the disturbance of their regular mealtime schedules can make it hard to keep track of their glucose levels. While some prefer calculating their insulin schedule in advance, others might benefit more from checking their blood glucose levels more frequently during their travel, and managing their insulin accordingly.
If you have epilepsy, make sure you carry enough anti-epileptic medications to last you through the flight, including any unforeseen delays. Be sure to wear your identification bracelet.
If you have been scuba diving, you may need to allow a certain amount of time between your last dive and flying home. This is because excess nitrogen gas can stay dissolved in your body for some time after diving. The low atmospheric pressure during air travel increases the risk of developing decompression sickness. The recommended amount of time to wait before flying will depend on the length and depth of your dives.
If you are taking any medications, keep them in your carry-on baggage, not with your checked baggage, in case your bags are misplaced during travel.
Children can sometimes be particularly prone to the health risks mentioned above, particularly infections.
A metabolic disorder that is caused by problems with insulin secretion and regulation and which is characterized by high blood sugar levels. Also known as diabetes mellitus.
A simple sugar found in many foods (such as fruit) that functions as a major energy source for the body.
Excessive bleeding that is difficult to stop.
Can be spread from one person to another.
A hormone secreted by the pancreas in order to regulate glucose levels in the body's cells, which is used for energy.
An abnormal mental state characterized by a loss of contact with reality.
A hereditary form of anemia in which a defective form of hemoglobin cause red blood cells to be an abnormal crescent shape. This causes the cells to break down prematurely, which can then lead to anemia.
1. Physical injury to the body caused by force or a toxic substance. 2. Psychological damage caused by a severely disturbing experience.
One third of a period of time. Often used to describe the three stages of pregnancy, in which each trimester is about three months long.
A medical condition where air escapes out of the lungs and into the chest cavity. It causes all or part of a lung to collapse. Also known as a collapsed lung.
A medical condition that is the result of nitrogen bubbles forming in the body as a result of moving too quickly from an environment of high pressure to one of much lower pressure. It is often seen in divers. It can be painful, and may cause death. Also known as 'The Bends'.