Relaxing, fitness, preparation - the following tips will help you to have a pleasant flight with SWISS. For all matters related to illness, medication and weaknesses, please consult your family physician.
Diseases, weaknesses, tropical destinations
Take your physical abilities and fitness to flay into account when planning your trip. In case of existing diseases, weaknesses or chronic medication, please discuss your planned trip with your family physician.
- Request a medical certificate (INCAD form) in good time
- Do you require special assistance due to restricted mobility or illness? Please inform us in advance. In some cases we may require a special medical certificate (INCAD form). For group trips of physically challenged persons, please complete the group form.
- For trips to tropical destinations, medical advice, e.g. from the Swiss Medical Services (Swiss Medical Services
), is indispensable 4 to 6 weeks before your departure. Skilled experts provide advice on necessary and mandatory vaccinations for your destination and other recommended precautions. They also have useful advice for your health on long-distance trips. Swiss Medical Services can provide the most important vaccinations.
Fit to Fly seminars: There are ways to treat fear of flying
SWISS offers those useful seminars in cooperation with Swiss Aviation Training and a psychological specialist. For people for whom flying is essential - business trips, dream destinations, visits to friends and families afar. Not everybody finds an air journey enjoyable.
Fear of flying: The mere thought of the aircraft's imminent take-off can make some people feel uneasy. Some even panic. People who are afraid of flying board an aircraft with extreme tension. Their complaints vary - from profuse perspiration and breathing problems to nausea or other symptoms. Studies on the subject of fear of flying and the success quota of our seminars show that you can bring this fear under control.
Dealing with fear: In our seminars, we explain the technology of flying and the details of air traffic control. We will familiarise you with the world of flying and talk about normal occurrences such as noises when taking off and landing or turbulences. You can deal with your fear on three levels: body, mind and behaivor.
Jet Lag
An effect on long-haul flights over several time zones that causes your inner clock to become unbalanced. The traveller experiences time changes that conflict with his biological rhythm. This affects the rhythm of waking and sleeping and other processes that recur in a 24-hour cycle.
- Typical complaints
- Fatigue, exhaustion
- Slowed reactions
- Reduced memory and concentration
- Hunger at ‘the most inappropriate times’
- Sleeplessness
- Alleviating complaints
Get accustomed to the local time at your destination, make sure you get enough sleep during your first night. Stimulate the rhythm of waking and sleeping by means of food.
Travel thrombosis
Term for the formation of a blood clot (thrombus) in a vein, which is thus partly or completely blocked. It is the most common in the lower half of the body, e.g. in the veins of the legs. If a blood plug comes loose and is transported through the circulatory system to the lung, it may get stuck in the lung vessels and cause circulatory disturbance in the lung (lung embolia). Sitting still for hours with bent legs results in a restriction of the venous blood circulation - and when the blood flows more slowly, it can clot more easily. SWISS recommends that you wear compression stockings and comfortable clothing, take off your shoes, drink enough liquid and eat only light food on board. Move as often as possible, bend and stretch your legs from time to time and make circular movements with your feet and legs.
- Medium risk: Over 70 years of age, cardiac insufficiency, chronic vein insufficiency (CVI), obesity, heavy smoking, smoking and pill, pregnancy.
- High risk: History of thrombosis or lung embolia, hereditary coagulation disorder with increased risk of thrombosis, tumours, cast on the leg (including a joint), surgery before the flight with high risk of thrombosis.
Pregnancy
In case of a pregnancies without complications, you can fly up to the 35th week without any health risk for the child. After the 36th week you need a certificate from your doctor stating that you are fit to fly. General recommendations to postpone your flight: If you are expecting more than one child, have already suffered a miscarriage, have cardiovascular ailments during your pregnancy.
Diabetes
A flight across six or more time zones to the west means that the day gets longer. If you are diabetic, you may need an additional dose of insulin and an additional meal. A similar eastbound flight means that the day gets shorter. Inject less deceleration insulin. Check your blood sugar level after a long-haul flight.
Miscellaneous tips
- Travel sickness: The up and down of the aircraft and turbulences irritate the organ of equilibrium. This results in nausea and vomit. Consult your doctor for appropriate medication.
- Cabin air: The modern pressure compensation technology represents no risk to healthy passengers. The air inside the cabin consists of 60% external air and 40% internal air reprocessed with highly efficient filters. Humidity is substantially lower than on the ground; drink enough water and fruit juice, but only small quantities of alcohol or coffee, which tend to dehydrate the body.
- Exercise on board: Suitable exercises can help you to loosen up your muscles and stimulate your blood circulation. For example, stretch your neck and shoulders, open and close your hands. Stretch your legs, stretch and rotate your feet.
