How to Have a Healthy Flight: 4 Tips for In-Flight Hazmat

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You’re on a plane and someone coughs near you. Would you spend the rest of the flight convinced that you can see their germs marching your way? I would.

Thailand’s peak travel season coincides with the height of cough/cold/flu season in cold places and planes make us more susceptible to everything. This, plus recent news of the coronavirus outbreak, means those of us who “Purell first and ask questions later” have new recruits to welcome. (Hello, nice to meet you, now let’s both wash our hands). So! How to have a healthy flight and arrive as healthy as you were at departure? Short of an in-flight hazmat kit, try the following.

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4 ways to (hopefully) have a healthy flight

1. Sit down, strap in…and disinfect

Wet Ones Antibacterial Hand Wipes

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Sit down, strap in… and start your sanitising spree. Need some convincing to look like a weird germaphobe? See what The New York Times had to report about norovirus (amongst other foes) on airplane tray tables:

4 out of 6 tray tables tested positive for [Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)], and norovirus…was found on one tray. Most of the bathrooms…had E. coli bacteria.

Here’s a tip for you pre-boarders. Use your 10 or so minutes of ‘alone time’ to de-germ your seat area (without anyone to observe your paranoia attention to detail). Give a quick once-over to anything you (or your dinner) are going to touch in the next 8, 10 or 12 hours. Armrests, tray table, TV controls… If you see me doing the same, give a little wave!

2. Do some mental math

PURELL Jelly Wrap Hand Sanitizer

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Make a few quick estimates about how many pairs of hands will touch your luggage cart/ passport/suitcase in a day. Google tells us that flu viruses can live on hard surfaces for over 24 hours. Time for another dollop?

I use hand sanitizer non-stop on planes. Even after I’ve exited the bathroom in a Mission Impossible acrobatics performance using paper towels as gloves, I add another dose of hand sanitizer when I’m back in my seat. See what your imagination can cook up.

Organic Lavender Hand Sanitizer

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While Purell is ubiquitous, I really like Dr. Bronner’s Hand Sanitizer, especially in lavender scent. (Tip: Spray it on your plane pillow to both disinfect it and add some lavender-sleepy-time scent. It smells really good).

While Purell is paraben-free, and neither product is tested on animals, Dr. Bronners is my chemical-limiting favourite. Every time I use it, someone comments “that smells amazing, what is it?” Organic lavender oil!

3. ‘Airborne’ vitamins

Emergen-C Drink Mix + Airborne Vitamin C Chewables

While Thailand has great sources of Vitamin C ready for your arrival (fresh coconut is amongst the best), your in-flight options are more limited. I haven’t tried Airborne myself but noticed it pops up in all sorts of ‘travel health’ recommendations. Worth a shot?

4. Post-dinner rehydration

Collapsible Water Bottle + Nuun Hydration: Electrolyte Drink Tablets

You know you’re supposed to drink water non-stop while flying but if you need to catch up after the drinks trolley has made its rounds…. I’ve started drinking at least one Nuun tab per long-haul flight (and usually another when I arrive). Totally anecdotal, but my “sample size of one” reports feeling a lot less “crispy” on arrival.

2 more tips to be less of a zombie after your flight

1. Bright-eyed, bushy tailed arrival?

No Jet Lag Homeopathic Jet Lag Remedy

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Finally, I have no idea – absolutely no idea – if this stuff works, but a blog reader tipped me off to No-Jet-Lag, a homeopathic approach to sleepless night from Lewis N. Clark. All I can offer is that reviews look good.

2. Got zombie eyes?

Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels

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As for zombie-eyeballs, these under-eye gels might perform small miracles just before you land.

Happy, healthy travels!

Whether you’re trying to avoid just a cough or full consumption from your fellow passengers – it’s not nice to feel like a sitting duck. Hopefully, these will help. Happy travels!