Guest Author - Kimberly Button

If you’ve ever gotten sick after flying on an airplane, you know that airplane travel can often be a source of illness for many travelers. Not only are you secluded in a vehicle with hundreds of people and their germs, but your body must adapt to conditions of decreased humidity and lack of mobility. Keep the following hints in mind for healthy airline travel.

• Germs spread quickly throughout the air of an airplane. Scientific observation has concluded that if an airplane passenger sneezes, the germs will spread five rows forward as well as three rows back. Defend yourself from an attack of viruses and other germs by using a saline solution to moisten your nostrils so that they can keep offending germs from entering your body.

• You’ll also want to consider boosting your immune system before flying. While Airborne has become a popular remedy to prevent getting sick after flying, it’s really just a combination of vitamins and herbs that you should be taking on a daily basis anyway to prevent infection and illness.

• Germs don’t always spread through the air. Studies have shown that the dirtiest place on an airplane is the tray table. I was told of a business executive who took off his shoes and propped his bare feet on the table throughout the flight. I’ve seen mothers change their baby’s diapers on the tray table. The fact is, tray tables are not cleaned in between flights, so you’re simply catching a day’s accumulation of germs that have attached themselves to the surface. Either use a barrier between the table and your personal items, or don’t use the table at all.

• Never drink water out of the faucets on an airplane. It is probably teeming with germs or other chemicals not fit for consumption. Same goes with coffee and tea made onboard. Ask your flight attendant if they used bottled water or tap water for hot beverages.

• Always, always wash your hands after using the lavatory. Enough said.

• The blankets and pillows that are on airplanes have often been used by passengers before you, including children whose hygiene habits might not be exemplary. When possible, bring your own blankets and travel pillows or ask the flight attendants if the airline’s products have been cleaned.

• Your body isn’t used to sitting in a small, uncomfortable chair for hours on end so you’ve got to keep moving to prevent blood clots and other medical conditions caused by lack of movement. Granted, it’s sometimes hard to get up and walk around in between cabin service, turbulence, etc. Get up when at all possible. In some airline’s inflight magazines, there will be a listing of exercises that you can do in your seat.

• Drink as much water as you possibly can to prevent dehydration in the airplane’s dry air as well as flush germs from your body. Fruit juices and tea are good alternatives, too, but you might want to refrain from alcohol and soft drinks which only stress the body.


For simple exercises that you can do on a plane or other confined traveling space, check out the following books:

Travel Yoga

Exercises For Airplanes



Kimberly Button is the author of The Disney Queue Line Survival Guidebook, the only Walt Disney World® Resort theme park guidebook that features scavenger hunts, trivia questions, word puzzles and hidden Mickey searches tailored to each attraction to alleviate boredom while standing in lines. For more information and to read an excerpt, visit www.disneysurvivalguide.com