Making your Flight Safer and More Comfortable

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How can I avoid injury on my flight?

Book a non-stop flight to reduce the number of takeoffs and landings. Most accidents occur when the plane is increasing or decreasing altitude or speed, all of which happens during times of takeoff and landing.
Research the Airline's safety record and use the safest one. This is especially important when you are flying non-US. Airlines.
Follow the flight attendants instructions. They are trained to keep you safe.
Listen to the emergency instructions given at the beginning of the flight.
Read the safety instruction card placed in the magazine pouch of the seat in front of you.
Locate the exit that is closest to your seat, then look for a secondary route.
Always keep your seatbelt fastened when you are in your seat.
Have the flight attendant pour refills of hot beverages over their beverage cart and not over your lap. They should take your cup, refill it and then hand it back.
Limit your intake of alcohol. The cabin's pressure causes alcohol to have a greater effect on your system than it does on the ground, so two drinks might feel like three or four.
Don't place overweight items in the overhead cabin storage. You could injure your back in doing so and those items could fall back out on you or others.
Ask the flight attendant to remove any overweight items from the overhead cabin storage.
Avoid the seat under the overhead storage compartment. Many people are injured each year by heavy items falling from the overhead storage compartment.

How can I be more comfortable on the plane?

Pick the best seat for you in your class and then check on upgrades available at check-in.
If you think you'll need them, grab a pillow and blanket as soon as you get on the plane, they go fast.
Dress in layers so you can peel off or add to as necessary.
Take a bathroom break, even if it's just to get up and move around a little.
Washing your face can help you feel refreshed.

How can I reduce the effects of motion sickness?

Most people are perfectly comfortable flying on planes. If you've never flown before and fear sickness, see if your doctor can find something that could help if you need it. You probably won't, but once you're on the plane it's too late and you might have trouble contacting your doctor before the flight home.
Booking a seat in the middle of the plane next to the wings will provide a smoother ride.

How can I reduce the effects of a change in altitude on my ears?

The planes are pressurized, but your ears are still sensitive to the change in altitude. The landing is usually worse than the take off.
If you have a head cold, try anything that has worked to clear it up before you travel.
If you have an ear infection, you might want to consider seeing the countryside on a train. An ear infection can be extremely painful on an airplane. You should contact your doctor and let them know about your travel plans to see if they can help you before you leave.
Children and adults both find relief from sucking on candy or juicy chewing gum. The act of chewing and swallowing relieves the pressure on the ears at take off and landing. Be careful when choosing the juicy treat for small children to avoid the possibility of choking during turbulence.
Nursing a baby can be used to help the baby's and everyone else's ears.
Yawning is also a good way to help the ears.
If you're able to sleep, you should request a wake up before you begin descent. The landing is usually harder on your ears and since you swallow less when you sleep, you may wake up on the ground in pain.
Children and some adults are particularly good at smuggling hotel pool water home from their vacation. Buy some drops and get it out before you fly.
Whatever you do, do it all through take off and landing so you can adjust to the change little by little.

How can I reduce jetlag?

To help deal with jetlag, attack the problem before you leave.
Start adjusting your schedule to an earlier or later bedtime and mealtime little by little the week before you leave.
Change your watch as soon as you arrive to help convince your body of the new time.
Drink lots of water. Much of jetlag also comes from the body being dehydrated. Remember that alcohol, caffeine and sugar will only worsen the effects of dehydration.
After you're hydrated, use caffeine and a little exercise to help you stay awake if you have a new later bedtime. If you have to adjust to an earlier bedtime, consider the sleep inducing turkey for dinner.
Avoid rich food so your body can concentrate on catching up instead of heavy digesting.
Try to arrive in the evening, it will be easier for your body to sleep if you arrive when it's dark. Then, you can start with a new day after some rest.