As summer beckons, it seems Brits can’t wait to get away, with searches for “summer holiday ideas” rocketing by 21% in the last month.
With the vacation buzz in full swing and an unexpected 69,000 people Googling “airport beer”, it’s clear the nation is desperate to dive into their much-missed holidays. People have even been making TikTok sketches sharing their love for pre-flight pints.
However, seasoned jet-setters might want to think twice before kicking off their trip with a frothy one at the terminal. Online travel agent Omio caught up with an experienced flight attendant to share some savvy flying hacks.
Air Transat’s Dashiell Horowitz told Omio: “Personally, if I was travelling as a passenger, I would eat a big meal to make sure that I’m tired and can get some rest on the flight.”
Yet Dashiell drops a bombshell about pre-flight beverages, warning against the unexpected effects of alcohol. He said: “There isn’t much I would avoid if flying as a passenger except for anything that you know will upset your stomach!”
He added: “The one thing I would truly avoid is any alcohol before a flight. Most people don’t know it affects you twice as much whilst in the air, so you’re more likely to feel the effects than on the ground.”
With this inside knowledge, it seems holidaymakers should perhaps swap their usual ‘airport beer’ for a hearty meal before take-off to ensure a smoother start to their escape.
Dashiell also had other tips for anyone jetting off. He suggested: “I would always plan to be at the airport 2-3 hours ahead of departure as well as being at the gate when they start boarding, to ensure a stress-free experience.”
Another way to eliminate stress on the big day is to make special requests ahead of time. You should also warn airlines about potential allergies.
He recommends bringing a warm jumper and snacks to graze on. As well as this, it’s wise to carry a water bottle and a pen in case you need to take notes or fill out any forms on board.
Speaking about the pen, he added: “This is one thing most people seem to forget, so I never board a flight without one.”
Reasons to avoid airport pints
- Dehydration: Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it increases urine output and can lead to dehydration. Airplane cabins are already low-humidity environments, which can dehydrate you further. Drinking beer before flying can amplify this effect, leaving you feeling unwell during the flight.
- Impact on Sleep and Fatigue: While alcohol might initially make you feel drowsy, it can disrupt your sleep patterns and interfere with your ability to rest properly. If you’re traveling across time zones or on a long-haul flight, this can worsen jet lag or tiredness.
- Potential for Motion Sickness: Alcohol can irritate your stomach and increase the likelihood of feeling nauseous or experiencing motion sickness during the flight.
- Increased Bathroom Visits: Beer is not only a diuretic like all alcohol but also carbonated, which can lead to bloating or gas. Drinking beer before flying may make you need to use the restroom more frequently, which can be inconvenient during a flight.
- Worsened Jet Lag: Alcohol can interfere with your body’s ability to adjust to new time zones. Drinking beer before a flight could worsen jet lag and make it harder to recover after arriving at your destination.
To stay comfortable and hydrated during your flight, it’s often better to stick to water, herbal tea, or other non-alcoholic beverages both before and during the journey. Save the beer for when you’ve safely reached your destination!