As we get older, it’s common to feel like the passage of
time is speeding up. Events that used to take much longer now seem to fly past.
When it comes to air travel though, the opposite is actually
happening. Flight times are getting slower, it’s a fact.
Shorter flights take longer than they used to as well. For instance
,In 1995, London to Edinburgh took 1 hour 15 minutes instead of the 1 hour 25
it takes now.
With the technological advancements of the last few decades,
it seems bizarre that flight duration should slow and not speed up.
So why is this happening? Well, we’ve got some answers. We’ve
compiled a list of reasons why air travel might be taking longer than it did in
previous years.
Airlines Have A Huge Part To Play In This
So we can all agree that flight times are increasing. But
are planes spending more time in the air, or are they adding extra time at the
start and end of each journey?
In reality, it’s both. There’s a technical word for this in
the aviation industry, ”Schedule Padding”.
Airlines often alter their flight schedule to give each
flight a bit more margin for error regarding flight delays.
This extra time might explain why pilots often proudly
announce ‘making up time in the air’ — even after lengthy delays have occurred
before take-off.
By giving themselves a bit more time in the schedule,
airlines can report better on-time performances.
Money Saving Tactics
Another reason why passengers experience longer flight times
is that of fuel efficiency and money saving on the part of airlines.
A plane traveling at a slower speed will consume less fuel,
so airlines are able to save millions each year by extending flight times.
The price of fuel rose dramatically between 2002 and 2012
from $0.70 per gallon to $3 globally, so you can see why airlines might want to
cut back.
Bigger Airports, More Airplanes In The Sky
It’s no surprise that busier air traffic can have a
significant effect on the punctuality of flights.
Flight routes are getting much busier, and new runways and
terminals (such as the gigantic Mumbai Airport Terminal 2) are all factors
airlines consider when publishing their schedules.
Air traffic control congestion also plays a large role. With
skies now much busier than 10 years ago, sticking to previous flight times
might be too optimistic.
All that said, it’s the job of airlines to offer paying
passengers the most convenient and quick way to reach their destination. So
blaming busier schedules for poor service isn’t going to fool anyone.
Sometimes flying is just plain uncomfortable and
frustrating.
From tiny airplane seats to obnoxious flight delays, we put
up with a lot to get to our final destination. That said, there are some
airlines that always seem to make the journey just a little bit worse.
Travel company AirHelp, wanted to find out how dozens of
airlines around the world stacked up against each other, so they crunched some
numbers to create a ranking.
The final list accounts for quality of amenities, on-time
arrivals and how well the airlines resolve flight-delay compensation claims.
Scroll on for the 10 worst airlines of 2018, ranked in
descending order by their overall score.
10.Jet Airways
On-time performance: 6.5
Quality of service: 6.5
Claim processing: 5.6
TOTAL: 6.2 (out of 10)
Coming in at No. 10 on this list of the worst airlines in
the world is Jet Airways, the struggling airline based in Mumbai, India.
Compared to other airlines on the list, Jet Airways received
average marks on all counts.
The airline, the second largest in India behind IndiGo, was
founded in 1992 and currently flies to 66 destinations around the world. It’s
been in the news recently for financial problems and an investigation into
alleged embezzlement.
9. Aerolineas Argentinas
On-time performance: 8.5
Quality of service: 6.5
Claim processing: 3.6
TOTAL: 6.2
Next on the list is Aerolineas Argentinas, the national flag
carrier for Argentina.
The airline was founded in 1950 and today flies to 59
destinations in 13 countries, including 35 locations in Argentina. All told,
some 11.5 million people fly with Aerolinea Argentinas every year.
Despite its low marks, travellers may still want to consider
the airline if flying within Argentina, however for international travel? Not so
much!
8.Iberia
On-time performance: 8.4
Quality of service: 7.8
Claim processing: 2.3
TOTAL: 6.13
Iberia was founded in 1927 and has served as the flag
carrier for Spain ever since, traveling to 127 destinations in 48 countries.
Though Iberia received some decent marks, apparently their
claim processing procedures are, to put it mildly, lacking.
On social media, you’ll find complaints ranging from lost
baggage to shoddy customer service.
7.Korean Air
On-time performance: 6.4
Quality of service: 8.3
Claim processing: 3.7
TOTAL: 6.13
This flag-carrier airline for South Korea was founded in
1969 and flies to 124 destinations in more than 43 countries.
The family-run company recently made headlines when two of
the CEO’s daughters resigned following several embarrassing incidents and
accusations that the family used the airline’s planes to get out of paying
taxes on luxury goods.
However, due to its formidable presence, if you want to fly
in and out of South Korea and other parts of Asia, chances are good you’ll end
up flying with Korean Air. At least it earned a solid score for quality of
service.
6.Ryan Air
On-time performance: 8.6
Quality of service: 6.3
Claim processing: 3.3
TOTAL: 6.03
Coming in at No. 6 on the list of worst airlines in the
world is Ryanair, the budget airline based in Ireland. The airline operates
2,000 daily flights from airports in 37 countries, serving more than 130
million customers each year.
Ryanair falls short in terms of quality of service and claim
processing, but it does earn high marks for on-time flights.
In fact, according to Ryanair’s own statistics, 88 percent
of flights arrived on time within the last 12 months.
It’s pretty hard to beat the airline’s often absurdly low
prices, but be warned: The company charges you extra for pretty much
everything, including carry-on luggage and the privilege of sitting with loved
ones.
5. Air Mauritius
On-time performance: 6.9
Quality of service: 7.8
Claim processing: 3.3
TOTAL: 5.99
The island nation of Mauritius, located in the Indian Ocean
off the eastern coast of Madagascar, is perhaps best known for its sandy
beaches, turquoise sea waters and tropical climate.
However, the same cannot be said about its national
airlines.
Air Mauritius was founded as the national carrier of
Mauritius in 1967, the same year the nation gained independence from Britain.
Since then, it’s garnered a middling reputation, with many people on
TripAdvisor particularly complaining about its subpar food.
4.EasyJet
On-time performance: 7.8
Quality of service: 7.8
Claim processing: 1.3
TOTAL: 5.66
The United Kingdom’s budget airline Easyjet is also one of
the worst in the world, thanks primarily to the airline’s awful claim
processing. The airline flies to 132 airports in 31 countries, making it a
popular choice for cheap, short-haul flights.
But Easyjet is a fairly young company, with just 21 years
under its belt. And, as the saying goes, “You get what you pay for.”
If you’re looking for the cheapest flights and nothing else
matters, you might still be satisfied with ridiculously inexpensive
Easyjet…despite its low score.
3. Pakistan International Airlines
On-time performance: 6.1
Quality of service: 6.0
Claim processing: 4.2
TOTAL: 5.43
Pakistan International Airlines, known as PIA, is the
national carrier for Pakistan, but that might change soon as the country looks
to privatize the airline.
It’s experienced a host of issues in recent years, including
massive financial losses, management issues and increased competition from at
least five new airlines.
And, in 2016, 47 people died in a crash on one of the
airline’s flights.
Given all that, perhaps it’s not surprising that Pakistan
International Airlines is ranked as the third worst airline in the world.
2. Royal Jordanian Airlines
On-time performance: 8.3
Quality of service: 6.3
Claim processing: 0.8
TOTAL: 5.13
Royal Jordanian Airlines, which is hubbed out of Queen Alia
International Airport in Amman, Jordan, isn’t quite the worst airline in the
world but it’s pretty close.
Though the national carrier of Jordan does an okay job
getting passengers to their destinations on time, it falls short on claim
processing and its quality of service.
1.WOW Air
On-time performance: 7.5
Quality of service: 6.0
Claim processing: 1.7
TOTAL: 5.04
Coming in at “No. 1” on the list of the worst airlines in
the world? The not-so-aptly-named WOW Air.
Of course, if price is all that matters to you when you’re
looking for cheap flights to Iceland and Europe you’ll probably still fly with
this uber-budget airline; the airline’s famous “flash sales” offer tickets on
long flights for less than $100.
Just don’t expect any bells and whistles, and
know that you may be complaining, loudly, about the customer service you
receive.
There was a time when air travel was only for the rich or businessmen.
With the introduction of low-cost airlines a few years back and the government of India taking initiatives, air travel has become cheap enough to reach the common man.
One
such initiative is called UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik)!
Here
are all the details you need to know about the UDAN scheme.
What Is UDAN?
UDAN is a first-of-its-kind government scheme in the world, which is aimed at bringing together different regions of India which were not accessible through air before.
The
scheme also aims at bringing airfares down and making air travel accessible to
people from all walk of life.
The
scheme was launched on 27th April 2017 and has been a success ever
since.
The key Components Of UDAN
The
UDAN Scheme has two key components. The first being the development of new and
enhancement of the existing and operational airports in the country.
This
will be aimed at equipping these airports to handle civilian domestic flights. Under this over 100 underserved and unserved
regional airports will be developed by December 2019. This will be done at an
initial funding of Rs 45,000 million for 50 airports.
In the
second component, several hundred financially-viable capped-airfare regional
air routes will be operated to connect over 100 underserved and unserved
airports in smaller towns. Each of these towns will be connected to airports of
bigger cities.
This
will be done in three rounds of bidding that will be completed by the end of
this year.
Number of Airports Under The
Scheme
The
government of India is looking to build and connect Indian airports in
different regions to handle the growing domestic air traffic in the country.
The
UDAN scheme aims to connect as many as 70 airports of India. These airports
include 27 served airports, 12 under-served airports and 31 unserved airports.
As
many as 17 out of the 70 airports are located in the North, 12 in East, 6 in
North-East, 11 in South and 24 in West.
How cheap are the flights in
UDAN?
The price
for UDAAN flights will be very cheap.
The scheme
has been designed to help the less connected people of the country to reach the
major cities with ease.
The
cost of living is cheaper in these areas and hence the income is lower too,
which is why the government wants to price the ticket for Rs 2,500 on a 1-hour
flight.
However, the caped fares are for now based on distance. For instance, Rs 1,420 will be the ticket price for a distance of 151–175 km, Rs 1,500 for a distance of 176–200 km, with a ceiling of maximum Rs 3,500 fare for a total distance of 800 km or more.
Why Are The Flights Cheap In UDAN?
The
question that has left everyone’s mind boggling, is how is UDAN going to work?
Taxpayers
are worried if the government is going to fund it with their money or if hidden
costs are involved.
To put
everyone’s mind at ease and help the airlines involved in UDAN, the government
has allowed them to levy up the flight cost for passengers on major routes.
This
in return will generate Rs.205 crore per annum, which can be translated to Rs.30
per passenger, on major routes like Delhi to Mumbai. This extended viability gap
funding will be operational in coming three years.
States To Be Aided By UDAN
20
states and Union Territories are going to be served under UDAN.
The
states are Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya
Pradesh, Maharashtra, Puducherry, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh.
Airports
in Bhatinda, Bilaspur, Cooch Behar, Kadapa, Nanded, Neyveli, and Shimla are also
going to benefit from this scheme.
The Future of UDAN
The Regional
Connectivity Scheme is aimed at increasing flight operations for more than 100
airports by the end of 2018-2019.
New
routes and airports are to be operationalized in near future. The government
will open bids for the new projects soon.
For now,
the airlines, which won the bid for 128 routes are Alliance Air, SpiceJet,
Turbo Megha, Air Odisha, and Air Deccan.
This is one of the best initiatives in the aviation sector that has been taken by the Indian government. It will not only help the people from rural areas to travel with ease but will also connect urban India to the remote places. UDAN is a milestone in the shaping of new India.
*The Report Is Based On The Data Released By The Government In 2018
For budding travellers, holding their first passport is almost a magical thing, offering a sense of pure possibility and excitement.
You finally made the time and saved enough cash for your
first overseas trip, but you start sweating as soon as you start thinking about
sorting out your travel documents.
You’ve heard about your cousin’s 3 hour-delay at passport
control or the visa approval nightmares that circulate on social media, but its
not as bad as it seems.
Here 7 things about passports & Visas you need to know that will help you reach your dream international destination hassle-free.
1.Tripple Check-Your Visa Requirements
Unlike a sought-after USA or European passport, Indians have
less options when it comes to visa-free countries aka hassle-free travel
destinations.
Always find out about the visa requirements for Indians for
the country you’re visiting from multiple internet sources and do a third check
by just calling up the country’s embassy in India.
2.Applying To First World Countries
Flying to Europe, Australia or USA? Their visa processes are
known to be a drag, so try to do your application three months in advance, or
six weeks minimum.
Make sure you make a list of all the documents you need and
that you keep a paper trail of all your transactions and interactions with the
relevant embassy, in case they make life difficult.
3. 6 Months Validity Requirement
Most countries require your passport to have six months of
remaining validity.
As a general rule, you should always make sure your passport
will remain valid for six months beyond your planned trip. You never know if
your travel plans are going to change, and the last thing you want is to be
stuck.
To name a few Italy, Vietnam, Turkey & Thailand require
you to meet this criteria.
4.Blank Pages
A handful of countries require at least one or two fully
blank visa pages for valid entry. This requirement could be for either an entry
stamp or a visa.
Countries that require a passport to have a blank page in
order to be stamped include Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Germany.
Italy, Sweden, Singapore, and Iceland along with several
others require at least two blank pages for an entry stamp.
5.Dont Throw Away Old Passports
Hold on to your old passport, even if you’ve never used it.
Some countries want to see where you’ve been and in an age
where countries are zooming in on where people have travelled before it’s
better to have it than not.
It can also be used as a backup to prove your identity in
case something happens to your new one.
Just make sure you don’t give the expired one to the
passport control officer!
6.Make Certified Copies Of Your Passport
Before heading off on your Instagram-happy holiday, make a
few scans of your newly-minted passport and go over to your local police
station, post office or a gazetted officer to get them certified.
Leave one with a close relative or friend in case you need their help back home. Also, keep a copy of the scan on your phone.
This will help you in case there is a natural calamity or
you use your original passport at your destination.
You can never be too prepared!
7. Hire A Professional If You’re Struggling
Hiring a third party to help out with visa applications might seem like a waste of money when you can do it yourself, but if you have a short notice period or travelling in a large group, the hassle saved is worth the price.
They know all the loopholes to getting it processed faster and
will follow up on your behalf saving you time.
There are lots of companies you can approach, but always
check online reviews and ask the social media universe for advice.
If you fly regularly, you must have had this question as to
check-in your bag or carry it with you.
Fees, the risk of lost or damaged luggage and waiting time
aside, deciding whether to check your bags or carry on boils down to your top
priority when traveling. Is it comfort, time or money?
Whichever factor tips the scales will let you know how
you’ll be traveling for your next trip.
But before we get into this debate lets see what exactly do
the terms “Check-in Luggage” & “Carry-on Luggage” mean.
What Exactly Are “Carry-on” & “Check-in” Bags?
A carry-on bag is the type of luggage travellers are allowed
to take into an airplane. On the other hand, checked baggage is transported in
the cargo area of the airplane.
Airplanes are designed with luggage compartment spaces to
store carry-on luggage. The storage space is situated in overhead lockers or
under seating.
Depending on which airline or country you fly from, carry-on bags are also labelled as hand baggage or cabin luggage.
Here’s a list of essential items you can pack in your Carry-On Luggage:
Important travel documents (E.g. Passport)
Money
Items of monetary value (E.g. jewelry)
Daily medications
Electronics
Toiletries (E.g. toothbrush and toothpaste)
There is no standardized ‘one-fits-all’ rule when it comes to carry-on luggage weight and size. Rather, individual airlines are entitled to change carry-on bag size requirements. Examples of factors that determine how big your carry-on luggage can be include booking class and the model of aircraft.
The Checked Baggage Vs Carry On Debate
Travel experts are of the strong belief that traveling with
carry-on luggage makes travel easier because “there’s no way the airline can
lose your luggage if you haven’t checked anything”.
Famous travel writer, Ali Garland is opposed to checked in
luggage because she dislikes getting, “weighed down by heavy bags” and would
rather avoid having to “deal with expensive checked bag fees.”
But, as the saying goes “there are always to sides of a coin”!
Many people believe that checking in your luggage is easier.
They are prepared to pay checked bag fees to forego the nightmare of trying to
cram all their travel necessities in a small carry-on bag.
Ask Yourself These Questions Before You Choose
When it comes to choosing whether to check your bags or
carry on, don’t feel like you have to come up with a perfect answer for all of
your travels. Instead, just decide what makes the most sense for your next
trip.
Do you need extra room for souvenirs? Are you
willing to ship them or do you want to have them on you on your way back?
Are you able to pack light for this trip? Or are
the activities varied enough that you need more?
Do you like to have more with you when you
travel? Or does the idea of carrying less make you feel freer?
Are you okay with carrying all of your bags on
the plane versus dropping them off at check-in?
Is It Better To Check Your Bags Or Carry On—Yes or No?
In a nutshell, it depends!
However, here’s what we suggest you should do the next time
you fly:
If you really want to save money, then you
should carry on your bags. (Just make sure you check your airline’s policy to
ensure they don’t charge a fee for this.)
If you really want to save time, then you should
pay for priority boarding and carry on your bags.
If you really want to maximize comfort, then you
should check your bags but make sure your carry on has all the conveniences you
want for the flight.
Lots of people think of themselves as highly experienced air
travellers.
But it’s a difficult thing to measure objectively. What
makes an experienced air traveller? Time spent abroad? Number of countries
visited? Air miles? Buffet breakfasts consumed at the airport lounge?
The answer is that it’s all of these things – and more – but
for today’s post, we’re going to focus on the useful tactics, routines and
habits that you can use yourself.
1.They Have A Favourite Airline
Regular business travellers & frequent flyers know how
to play the game.
They pick their favourite airline, sign up for an airline’s
frequent flyer program and always book with that airline if possible, even if
it’s not always the cheapest fare.
They commit to getting premier status and make the most of
their significant perks.
They also use credit cards which offer rewards with that particular
airline. Many of these cards provide airport lounge access, free checked bags,
and other convenient features.
2.They Never Check-in At The Airport
Only rookies do this and there’s no upside to it, which is
why they always check-in online.
You should check in and claim your seat online as soon as it
becomes available. This also protects you from getting bumped on an overbooked
flight.
3.They Always Pack Smartly
Frequent flyers always pack what is necessary for their
journey. They prepare a checklist of the things they would need for their trip
and make sure they pack only the essentials.
Also, they never keep their essential items in their
check-in bags.
Keys, Money, Jewellery, Electronics, Medication, you only
need to lose a checked bag once to learn this the hard way. If you can’t go a
day without it, or if it’s a sentimental item and irreplaceable, make sure it
doesn’t get checked-in.
4.They Breeze Through Security
You don’t see experienced air travellers struggling with
belts, coins and keys when they go through security.
Instead, they put all their fiddly belongings, including
cell phones, wallets and jewellery inside a carry-on bag, purse or jacket until
they’ve passed through security.
5.They Board The Airplane As Soon As They Can
If you leave board to the last minute on a busy fight, there
might not be room for your bag in the overhead luggage cabin.
This means your bag’s going to sit at your feet for the
duration of the flight. Why take that chance?
Also experienced flyers always choose the aisle seat. You
don’t have to hop over anyone to use the restroom and you can stretch out your
legs in the aisle to get a good sleep.
6.They Travel With Lifesaver Items
What are lifesaver items?
A water bottle, a snack bar, sleep mask and earplugs, a
universal adapter, battery pack and compression socks for flights longer than
five hours.
If you’re flying long-haul, hydration is very important. Between
30-64% air humidity is what’s recommended for comfort, but airplanes can be
beneath 10%.
This can cause natural moisture in your skin and body to evaporates.
7.They Know How To Get Rid Of Jet-Lag
This is a biggie because jet lag is a productivity killer.
Some people swear by not eating on the plane and then
adjusting to a new time zone by feasting at the next mealtime once they land.
Others go for a jog immediately after they land and reach
their airport hotel, but most are too tired to this after a long flight.
And then there’s the folks for whom a stiff drink and some
chewable melatonin hits the reset button.
The key is to find out what works for you!
*Experienced Travellers also use travel management apps like AirWhizz. From Real-Time Flight updates to airline & airport, we help you plan your trip on the move.
Winter is upon us, and in fact it seems like it’s arrived early. That means flight delays and cancellations.
Air travel is something of a gamble during winters, especially
if its foggy outside.
During this holiday season if you’re planning to fly , just
make sure you keep one simple thing in mind, which is “Anticipate”.
To make sure your vacation gets off to a good start, here
are 10 essential winter air travel tips that you must know.
1.Cushion Your Travel Schedule
Balance the possibilities of delays or cancellations against
the importance of your arriving on time.
If you have a can’t-miss meeting or famiy celebration pad your schedule to allow for a major air-travel mishap.
That may even mean travelling a day earlier. Recovering from
delays or cancellations can involve extra hours, and an extra day of travel
should be kept in mind while booking a flight.
2.Try To Book Non-Stop Flights
This is a must during winters!
Even if most flights to or from your home airport or
destination airports require connections, consider combining different modes of
transport.
For Instance, if you only have connecting flights from your
city airport to you destination, you can drive to an airport near your city
which has direct flights to your destination.
3.Startegize To Minimize Risk
Delays and cancellations have a domino effect throughout the
day.
On most routes, book yourself on flights as early as possible
since the later in the day, the worse the situation gets.
However, do this according to the weather pattern of your
city. For instance Delhi is prone to early morning fog, in which case you
should book yourself on mid-morning or midday departures.
4. Get to The Airport Earlier Than Usual
Heavy fog and traffic
jams as a result of bad weather mean potential delays as you travel to the
airport, and you don’t want to arrive too late to check-in or be stuck in a
line at security.
Because cooler temperatures mean that everyone will be
wearing more layers which also means longer lines at security, as it will take
each person a few minutes more than normal to get themselves and their belongings
through security.
5. Check-In Online
Almost all airlines now allow online check-in either through
a website or an app at least 24 hours before your flight time.
You will be able to select your seat, pay any baggage fees,
and provide contact information where you can be reached if there are any
disruptions to your flight.
Plus, checking in online allows you to skip the check-in
lines altogether and head right for security when you arrive if you don’t have a
check-in bag.
6.Keep In Touch With You Airline
Blizzards, fog, freezing rain- there are so many
winter-related events that can cause flight delays or cancellations.
Avoid waiting at the airport, or arriving for no reason, and
check the status of your flight about an hour before you plan on leaving for
the airport.
Also, make sure the contact info you have provided can be
checked regularly or easily accessed. That way you will receive any flight
status updates as soon as they happen and not only when you are in front of the
screens at the airport.
7. Check The Forecasts
You can sometimes spot delays before your airline officially
lets you know about them.
That means keeping tabs on weather forecasts several days in
advance for any airport you plan to use—departure, hub, or destination.
8.Have A Plan B
No matter what, you can’t avoid all problems!
Figure that something might go wrong, and be ready with your
own alternative schedule rather than waiting to see what your airline offers.
The earlier you start to change, the more likely you are to
avoid extended delays. In any major weather event, you airline is likely to
waive re-ticketing fees, so be ready.
9. Be Ready To Ask For A Refund
If your flight is severely delayed and no longer want to
make the trip, or your flight has been cancelled, you can ask for a full
refund.
Airlines often allow you to change your flight to when the weather clears, though if you’re so delayed that there’s no point going, get a full refund instead.
10.Buy Travel Insurance
People don’t realize this, but travel insurance offers free compensation for weather delays and cancellations.
It also covers your emergency medical care (in case you fall
sick during your travel) and loss of belongings while travelling.
If you didn’t buy travel insurance, check your credit card rewards. Apart from providing airline miles, they also do cover you during your air travel snarls.
So, the next time you book your ticket, Download the AirWhizz app and apply for a travel insurance with us. We at AirWhizz have partnered with prestigious travel insurance companies such as HDFC Ergo to help you plan for any unforeseen changes that might occur.
Being ill while travelling is probably something that has happened to most of us.
Whether they’re found in the less-than-sanitary conditions of an airplane or a hotel room, germs lurk everywhere and it takes a lot of preparation to avoid getting sick when you travel.
Airplanes are notorious breeding grounds for nasty germs and its no surprise if you think of the number of people who have sat on your flight’s seat.
And unfortunately, plenty of studies have shown that even when they’ve been cleaned, airplanes are still pretty gross.
But don’t let your next trip be ruined by an unwelcome bug that leaves you feeling awful. These healthy habits will help you avoid getting ill so you can stay fit and make the most of your holiday.
1.Use Antibacterial Wipes Before You Sit Down
Pretty much everyone will agree that one thing every traveller should stash in their bag is antibacterial wipes.
They can be used to quickly sanitize everything you touch.
On an airplane, wipe down the tray table, arm rests, buttons, seat belt, window shade and air vent knobs before you sit down.
It may seem a bit weird to others but remember that this you’re doing this to keep yourself protected against germs.
2. Avoid The Airplane Seat’s Back Pocket
While the seatback pocket on an airplane may seem like a handy compartment to store things you’ll be using in-flight, you might want to think twice about it to avoid getting sick when you travel.
Many passengers treat that pocket like a wastebasket, using it to dispose of their trash, used tissues, and even dirty diapers.
Since it’s unlikely that cleaning crews are thoroughly disinfecting each seatback pocket, it’s best to avoid them altogether.
3.Wash Your Hands Frequently
No matter how careful you are, your hands are bound to come in contact with germs when you travel.
Everything you touch is potentially carrying something you don’t want. Make sure you wash your hands frequently to get rid of any germs.
4.Avoid Touching Your Face While Travelling
This tip may seem odd but there’s a practical explanation for this.
Keep your hands away from your face , especially your mouth, nose and eyes.
If you’ve picked up a bug from shaking someone’s hand or while holding on to a pole in your bus, the germs tend to linger on your hands.
When you then touch your face (eyes, mouth or nose), you increase the chances of that bug transferring from your skin to a mucous membrane, where it can thrive and cause illness.
5.Keep Your Seat’s Air Vents On
You may be prone to turning off the air vent above you on an airplane because you think it’s circulating stale air or because you’re cold. But according to travel experts that might be a mistake.
Using that tiny vent can actually work to your advantage, as it can help you avoid contact with certain microorganisms that can get you sick during a flight.
6.Bring Your Own Blanket & Pillow
These days, many travellers try to travel with only a carry-on to avoid baggage fees, which means eliminating a lot of excess stuff.
But you might want to consider carrying your own blanket and pillow on the airplane with you.
While it’s difficult to pass judgment on all blankets and pillows on all airlines, it’s probably a safe bet that they’re not as clean as your own personal items.
So the next time you try to get cozy and catch some sleep on a flight, use your own blanket and pillow so you don’t need to worry about the cleanliness of the airline’s.
7.Avoid Tea Or Coffee In-Flight
A good cup of tea or coffee can start your morning right but maybe not on an airplane.
According To Business Insider, the water for tea and coffee comes not from bottles but from the airplane taps which have been known to fail safety standards.
In fact, USA’s Environmental Protective Agency recently did a study which found coliform and E.coli in the water on many airplanes.
Plus, the coffee and tea served in-flight is not brewed to a boiling point, which would kill off bacteria.
So, skip the lukewarm beverage and wait until you’ve landed to get a good, hot cuppa.
8.Choose Your Seat Wisely
Try to sit towards the front of the airplane so that you can exit quickly.
After landing (on some flights), the back door is opened and fumes from the fuel enter the airplane, especially affecting the back seats.
Avoid these fumes by choosing your seat wisely.
9.Stay Hydrated
Dehydration makes it easier to pick up illness.
And drinking alcohol contributes to dehydration. Avoid alcohol on the plane and even the day before you fly.
Once you pass the security gate you can buy or fill up water in an empty water bottle before your flight.
10.Use A Mask Or Nasal Screens
A mask can offer some protection for you if other passengers are ill or for other passengers if you are ill.
If you don’t feel comfortable wearing a mask, try nasal screens, which are almost invisible and allow you to even eat while filtering your air.
*After taking these precautions if you still fall ill while flying, don’t worry, we’ve got your back!
Download the AirWhizz App and get information about shops, emergency contact details and other services available at the airport on the move. We have also partnered up with prestigious travel insurance companies such as HDFC Ergo, so you can book your travel insurance via the app itself.
