Tips for Air Travel When Sick

A bad cold can turn even the shortest flight into a nightmare, but there are steps you can take to make things a little easier next time you find yourself under the weather while heading overseas.

Pre-Medicate

Don’t wait until you get on the plane to take some medicine. Most of them take awhile to kick in and the check-in process can be enough to give you a headache even without a cold already in play. Take your meds about 30 minutes before you arrive at the airport so you won’t be shuffling through the airport like a zombie.

Bring Music

Put together a playlist of relaxing music that’ll help you tune out the surrounding passengers. If you’re lucky it might even help you fall asleep.

Switch to a Window Seat

Nobody wants to have to repeatedly climb over a sick person when they’re trying to reach the bathroom. If you can, make sure to have a seat right next to the window where you’re less likely to be bothered and where you might not cough in someone else’s face.

Stay Hydrated

Make sure you drink plenty of fluids while you’re in the air. The combination of your illness and the elevation are already wreaking havoc on your body, there’s no need to further complicate things by becoming dehydrated.

Ask for a Wet Towel

A warm, wet towel will help keep your fever down and act as a blindfold to help block out bright lights. It’ll help you rest more peacefully too. Your flight attendant will happily supply one if asked nicely.