No matter the flight, jet lag can really make you feel wiped out when you finally arrive at your destination.
Whether you are off on a city break or heading to an exotic locale, travelling long haul is always exciting.
But what can be a lot less thrilling is the inevitable jet lag, which can really make you feel wiped out when you finally arrive at your destination.
While there’s no way to avoid jet lag entirely, ex-airline executive Andrew Hayward, in partnership with SkyParkSecure, shares some small ways you can mitigate the effects.
Type of plane matters
Different planes fly at different altitudes, meaning the cabins are pressurised differently – this can have a huge impact on jet lag.
“Travel on Boeing 787 Dreamliners or Airbus A350s if possible as the cabins are pressurised to a lower altitude (6000 ft as opposed to 8000 ft),” he advises. “This can have a massive impact on how hard jet lag hits you.”
Consider seat choice
Many of us may prefer to sit at the front of the plane for ease of getting on or off or being closer to the toilet – but it could also be beneficial in avoiding the worst effects of jet lag as the freshest air enters at the cabin nose.
“The seat choice can also affect how easy it is to get comfortable and get some sleep – seats at the back can be more uncomfortable due to some longer planes suffering from ‘self-induced oscillation’ – meaning one of the best places to sit is near the wing root for the most stable ride. For larger planes, this tends to be the middle of the aircraft,” Hayward says.
Avoid alcohol and coffee
Whilst it may be tempting to drink coffee to stay awake or treat yourself to a tipple to celebrate your long-awaited trip, caffeine and alcohol can actually make you feel dehydrated.
“Instead – focus on drinking plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated and save the drinks for once you land,” the expert explains.
Choose your flight times carefully
Making sure you’re prepared prior to your flight is important too – change your watch before boarding to reflect the time once you land.
“If you’re landing at night, try to avoid sleeping so you can rest once getting to your destination – vice versa if it’s the other way around,” Hayward says.
Pack the essentials
Planes are the best for sleep, so if you are wanting to get some shut-eye on your journey be sure to pack earplugs, travel pillows, eye covers and noise-cancelling headphones in your carry-on bag.
“On the other hand – if you’re planning on staying awake for the entire journey – make sure you bring plenty to keep you entertained,” adds Hayward.
