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lowcostport.com  SAFETY ON BOARD
Useful information for your own safety on board and air travel health
  • Wear loose and comfortable clothing
  • Drink plenty of water. Moderate your intake of tea, coffee, cola drinks, and alcoholic beverages as alcohol and caffeine can dehydrate
  • Stretch your arms and legs regularly
  • If you wear contact lenses, you may find it more comfortable to remove them before the flight, as the air in the cabin can be drying
lowcostport.com  AIR TRAVEL HEALTH
Cabin pressure
Humidity
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Motion sickness
Smoking
Expectant mothers
Infants
Pre-existing sickness
Cabin pressure
Cabin air pressure is lower than on the ground. It is equivalent only to pressure at the altitude of 1500-2000 metres above sea level, which is well tolerated by healthy passengers. Passengers with cardiovascular or respiratory disease or certain disorders of the blood have to consult their medical doctor before travelling for the reason that they may not accept the reduced amount of oxygen on board.
Humidity
Relative humidity is low (around 20%) and may cause discomfort in the eyes, mouth and nose. For alleviating discomfort we recommend you use spectacles instead of contact lenses, drink a lot of water before and during your flight (any alcoholic and caffeine-containing beverages) and use skin moisturising lotion.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
This condition is linked to prolonged periods of inactivity, and so it generally affects people flying long-haul. DVT is sometimes known as "economy class syndrome", but this is misleading as passengers travelling by car or train may also be at risk. It could even occur in an armchair at home!
As immobility poses the greatest risk in developing clotting disorders, move about, change position often and avoid crossing your legs.

Deep vein thrombosis can be avoided by:
  • drinking plenty of water
  • avoiding alcohol and caffeine intake
  • stretching your arms and legs regularly
  • avoiding crossing legs while seated
  • wearing loose, comfortable clothes when travelling
  • avoiding taking sleeping pills
  • wearing compression stockings
Motion sickness
Motion sickness is caused by losing visual contact with the earth's horizon, but occurs very rarely during travel by air.
If you are predisposed for motion sickness, choose a window seat, if possible over the wings, eat lightly before and during your flight, don't read anything and open your air vent.
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted on the most of flights. We suggest that heavy smokers should chew gum or use nicotine replacement patches or a mild tranquilliser in order to alleviate discomfort.
Expectant mothers
Flying does not cause danger to pregnant women and foetus, however we recommend avoiding air travel 4 weeks before the calculated date for delivery and until 7 days after delivery.
Infants
Air travel is not recommended for infants under the age of 7 days and for premature babies because changes in cabin pressure and dehydration may distress them.
Pre-existing sickness
We recommend you consult your medical doctor before travelling if you take immunosuppressive medication or are suffering from recent or chronic diseases, such as:
  • cardiovascular disorders
  • chronic respiratory illness
  • severe anaemia
  • unstable diabetes
  • or if your fitness to travel is otherwise in doubt
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