Health and wellness: how to stay properly hydrated at altitude

How much and how to drink during flight

Dehydration cannot be recovered by drinking a liter of water all at once before landing, but with constant and divided intake throughout the entire flight. A practical trick is to bring an empty water bottle through security and fill it immediately after: having your own supply makes you independent from beverage service timings, especially on flights where cart passes are rare.

Alcohol and caffeine: the diuretic effect to avoid

Alcohol and excess caffeine have a diuretic effect that accelerates fluid loss already favored by the dry cabin air, and worsen sleep quality on board. It is not necessary to eliminate them completely, but it is useful to alternate them with a glass of water for each drink.

Protecting skin, nose, and eyes from dry air

A saline nasal spray and hydrating eye drops help protect the mucous membranes, particularly useful for those wearing contact lenses during flight. Applying a hydrating cream and lip balm before takeoff creates a barrier against arid air and reduces the feeling of skin tightness that many experience after a long flight.

The most practical trick remains the empty water bottle filled right after security checks: having water always at hand, without depending on the beverage cart, is the trick that really makes the difference on a flight of several hours.