FAQs
Stay hydrated with water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine. Bring tissues and any other items that can make you more comfortable, such as cough drops and lip balm. Ask a flight attendant for support, such as extra water.
How to prevent air sickness when flying? ›
6 Ways to Prevent Motion Sickness While Flying
- Choose your seat strategically. Because you're flying through air currents, the flight will have a normal bumpiness to it. ...
- Take Dramamine. ...
- Try to relax. ...
- Stay away from greasy or spicy foods. ...
- Avoid digital screens and reading materials. ...
- Ask for ginger ale from the beverage cart.
How do you deal with being sick on a plane? ›
Stay hydrated with water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine. Bring tissues and any other items that can make you more comfortable, such as cough drops and lip balm. Ask a flight attendant for support, such as extra water.
What to take to help with air sickness? ›
Medications
- Scopolamine (Transderm Scop). Most commonly prescribed medication for motion sickness. ...
- Promethazine (Phenergan). Administered 2 hours before travel. ...
- Cyclizine (Marezine). Works best when taken at least 30 minutes before travel. ...
- Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine). Take every 4 to 8 hours. ...
- Meclizine (Bonine).
How do you get motion sickness on a plane? ›
Once the plane has taken off, the human eye notes the apparent lack of movement inside the cabin whilst the ear detects the oscillations of the aircraft. So the brain receives conflicting messages from its sensory apparatus and induces a feeling of loss of balance and general malaise.
What to take before flying to avoid getting sick? ›
Take Vitamins Before Your Flight
It certainly can't hurt to take a standard multivitamin, which you should start taking at least 2 days before flying. If you still happen to get sick after taking precautions, vitamin C can help to reduce the severity and longevity of your cold symptoms.
Where to sit on a plane to avoid motion sickness? ›
A seat directly over the wings (typically found in rows 10 to 30) is your best option to reduce the sensation of turbulence, says Dr. Quay Snyder, the president of the Aviation Medicine Advisory Service.
Do earplanes really work? ›
Works great to prevent ear pain issues. I'd still only recommend wearing them until leveling off and just before descending as they can still cause pain with too much extended use. These things allow me to fly pain free! (And I have tried everything else to no avail).
How do flight attendants avoid getting sick? ›
Flight Attendants Reveal How They Never Get Sick
- Stay hydrated… ...
- …But avoid tap water, coffee, or tea. ...
- Use moist towelettes on your hands. ...
- Take an immune system support supplement. ...
- Disinfect the plane's surfaces… ...
- …But never eat directly off of tray tables. ...
- Juice it up. ...
- Try to relax and de-stress.
What is the best decongestant for flying? ›
If you have a cold, try decongestants: Decongestant nose sprays, including oxymetazoline (like Afrin) or phenylephrine (like Neo-Synephrine or Little Remedies) reduce swelling in the back of the nose at the opening of the Eustachian tube, which improves your ear's ability to equalize the air pressure.
Here are five foods which can keep travel sickness at bay:
- Crackers. Always pack your favourite crackers whenever going on a trip. ...
- Ginger. Ginger has always been a traditional remedy for motion sickness, especially with symptoms like nausea. ...
- Apple. ...
- Banana. ...
- Nuts.
What foods help air sickness? ›
Better choices include breads, cereals, grains, milk, water, apple juice, apples, or bananas. Do not skip eating but also do not overeat. Drink plenty of water and drink it often.
Why do I get sick every time I fly? ›
Airplanes can be breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses, from cramped conditions to the low humidity that characterizes the air circulating on board. Low humidity can dry out your nasal passages and irritate your throat.
How do I stop being sick on a plane? ›
Reduce the chance of air sickness symptoms by:
Staying hydrated: drink plenty of water the day before your flight and bring a refillable water bottle to the airport so you can sip water after security screening. Fighting digestive issues by avoiding salty, fatty, spicy, or greasy foods. Not flying on an empty stomach.
How to not get seasick? ›
Drink water, low-acidity juices like apple and carrot, or clear soup, and avoid milk and coffee. Keep moving. Most people find that being busy keeps their minds off their discomfort. Stay on deck, even if it's raining, because the fresh air is often enough to speed recovery.
Do airports sell motion sickness pills? ›
You can find over-the-counter medications and chewable tablets that last from 8 to 24 hours in most drugstores, gas stations, and even airport shops. According to research, antihistamines are very effective at preventing motion sickness, and healthcare professionals have been recommending them for decades.
How do you prevent altitude sickness on a plane? ›
Preventing AMS
Take the first 2 to 3 days to acclimatise to being at altitudes below 2500m before going any higher. If you can, avoid flying directly to somewhere at high altitude, but if unavoidable acclimatise before any further ascent.
How do you avoid hypoxia when flying? ›
For best protection, you are encouraged to use supplemental oxygen above 10,000 feet MSL. At night, because vision is particularly sensitive to diminished oxygen, a prudent rule is to use supplemental oxygen when flying above 6,000 feet MSL. So, when you fly at high altitudes, supplemental oxygen is the only solution.
How do I not feel sick before flying? ›
Eat food that is low in sodium and fat a few hours before your flight. Skip the greasy foods that can upset your stomach on any regular day. Also, don't fly on an empty stomach. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.