What to Avoid for a Smooth First Flight Experience

Embarking on your first flight can be an exciting, yet daunting experience. Here are some tips on what to avoid to ensure a more comfortable and enjoyable journey.

What Should You Avoid During Your First Flight?

Alcohol

For Pilots: If you are the pilot, you should avoid alcohol entirely to maintain focus and avoid any impairment that might affect your ability to fly the aircraft safely.

Certain Foods and Substances

For Long-Haul Flights: If you are planning a long-haul flight, it is recommended to avoid foods that are difficult to digest or likely to cause bloating, such as beans and fish, for about 24 hours before the flight. This helps minimize the discomfort of expanded gases in the body due to lower cabin pressure. For Short-Haul Flights: For flights under an hour, you don't need to be as strict about your diet. However, it is still advisable to opt for easily digestible foods to avoid any discomfort.

Drugs and Stimulants

Competitive Eating Contests: Avoid engaging in competitive eating contests as it can pose health risks and disrupt your digestion. Drugs: It is absolutely crucial to avoid using drugs such as cocaine, ketamine, LSD, PCP, or strong amphetamines or barbiturates, both as a pilot and a passenger. Major Surgery: You should also avoid major surgery before a flight as recovery can be challenging and disruptive. Durians: Although not a direct health risk, consuming durians can lead to digestive issues and strong odors, which might be unpleasant to other passengers.

Additional Travel Tips

David Gunson’s Advice: To help alleviate any fears you might have, you could listen to an after-dinner speech by David Gunson, who is an ex-RAF fighter pilot turned Air Traffic Controller. His talk, titled ‘What goes up might come down,’ is an enlightening resource that covers all aspects of flying and can likely address your concerns.

Jet Lag: A frequent concern for first-time flyers is jet lag. Unfortunately, there is no magic solution to prevent it, but planning your trip and adjusting your sleep schedule before your flight can help minimize its effects.

Cabin Pressurization During Takeoff: It is important to note that during takeoff, the cabin undergoes a series of maneuvers including high-bank turns to limit noise for ground residents. While this might be uncomfortable for travelers, it is a safety measure in place.

By avoiding these items and considering these tips, you can enhance your first flight experience and set the stage for many more enjoyable journeys in the future.