Flights which are long-haul can play havoc with the human body, with jet lag proving a common side effect of journeys to different time zones. According to the NHS: “Jet lag is when your normal sleep pattern is disturbed after a long flight.” Different fliers all have ways of trying to combat jet lag with varying degrees of success. British Airways boss Willie Walsh is a former pilot and has revealed his own top tip for beating the condition.
Walsh, CEO of British Airways owner IAG, has said that drinking red wine is what helps him cope with jet lag.
The ex-pilot told The Sun: “A couple of glasses helps you to sleep. Red wine is the cure for everything!”
The BA boss added that a doctor once told him to drink more red wine every day and that Walsh cheekily responded by asking for a prescription for half a bottle.
However, not everyone agrees with the former pilot’s jet lag and wine advice.
Dr Clayton T. Cowl, Chair of Mayo Clinic’s Division of Preventive, Occupational and Aerospace Medicine, advises against drinking alcohol on long-haul flights.
“Avoid dehydration by taking in fluids and avoiding alcohol or excessive caffeine,” he told Express.co.uk.
Cabins on commercial airliners are kept at a humidity level of 20 per cent, Teletext research has shown.
This is five per cent lower than the relative humidity of the Sahara desert, potentially leading to dehydration-related health issues such as headaches and sore throats. Alcohol will serve to exacerbate this.
American Airlines’ flight attendant, Lauren Bamonte, shared her tip for beating jet lag alcohol-free.
“When flying transatlantic, try to arrive at bedtime in the destination time zone so you can go straight to bed and more quickly adjust to the new time zone,” Bamonte told Express.co.uk.
“If you need to land during the day then, no matter how tough it may be, try to stay awake until a regular time that evening so you can switch your body clock quickly.”
The NHS has its own tips for limiting jet lag, stating: “Jet lag cannot be prevented, but there are things you can do to reduce its effects.”
Before travel, they advice getting plenty of rest, relaxing before going to bed and following good sleep practices.
During the flight, the NHS says you should drink plenty of water and sleep if it’s a normal time for sleeping at your destination.
Long-haul travellers should also use an eye mask and earplugs if they help you sleep and keep active by stretching and regularly walking around the cabin.
On arrival, the health body recommends changing your sleep schedule to the new time zone as quickly as possible.
Globetrotters should also set an alarm to avoid oversleeping in the morning and go outside during the day as natural light will help the body clock adjust.
A flight attendant has spoken of the importance of moisturising during a flight, too. “Always have a good moisturiser,” British Airways flight attendant Rob Staines told Business Insider. “It doesn’t have to be an expensive one.”
Another way to keep fresh, according to Staines is to use a facial mist. “They’re so easy to use,” he said. “They’re always in really small packages so they fit great into your liquids bag.”
