For First Time Customers

During flights, cabin pressure is adjusted by air-conditioning but remains about 0.2-0.3 hPa lower than at sea level about equal to being on a mountain 2,000-2,500 meters high. It is said that the large pressure change that occurs 15-30 minutes after takeoff, and again before landing, may cause ear problems for some passengers who are not in good physical condition.

Cabin temperature is set to 22-26 C. During long flights, cabin humidity tends to drop below 20% as the humidity of the air brought in from the outside is extremely low. Due to the dryness in the cabin, the body may dehydrate, causing nasal or throat pain as well as discomfort to contact lenses wearers.

Along with the decrease in atmospheric pressure, the concentration of oxygen in the cabin decreases 20-30% (compared to sea level). While this is not a problem for most passengers, those suffering from respiratory diseases, cerebro-vascular disorders or serious anemia may be affected under certain, rare circumstances.

Airliners produce minimal vibration, but passengers who tend to feel nauseous in motor vehicles may suffer ill effects if the flight encounters turbulence. Because not all turbulence is foreseeable, we recommend that you keep your seatbelt fastened whenever you are in your seat.

When you remain seated in the same position for a prolonged period, veins in the feet and legs can become constricted. This in turn can lead to the formation of blood clots in the leg, also known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT is not necessarily accompanied by any overt signs, and an expert opinion is needed to confirm the condition, but the following symptoms may occur: pain, swelling and discoloration of the leg, congestion of the superficial veins of the leg, or the leg feeling warm to the touch.

If a clot does build up, there is a risk that it may detach itself and travel to other parts of the body, such as the lung, where it can cause chest pain, shortness of breath and even sudden death. This may occur hours or even days after the clot's formation.

DVT is not related to class of air travel. It has wrongly been called 'Economy Class Syndrome', whereas in fact it can affect passengers in any cabin. Nor is it limited to air travel, as people sitting immobile in cars, trains or buses may also be at risk.

To reduce the risk of DVT, we recommend that all passengers follow the steps outlined in this leaflet,paying particular attention to the sections on exercise and drinking adequate fluids/ water.

Wear loose fitting comfortable clothes. To maintain your body temperature, it is a good idea to bring a jacket or other warm items of clothing.

Drink adequate fluids, especially water. If you choose to drink beverages containing alcohol and/or caffeine or soda beverages, please do so in moderation.

The pressure inside the cabin will be between 0.7 and 0.8 psi during flight (equivalent to being on a mountain with an altitude of 2,000-2,500 meters). The effect of alcohol grows as the pressure decreases, leaving you more than twice as likely to become intoxicated than on the ground.

Furthermore, alcohol is a diuretic and will therefore make you want to use the lavatory more frequently, reduce your blood water content, and increase the likelihood of developing blood clots.

Please take care not to drink too much alcohol.

During long flights, move your feet and legs every 2-3 hours, and avoid crossing your legs when seated. We present an inflight video of stretch exercises that can be performed while seated,and which are believed by experts to be effective in minimizing the risk of developing DVT.

Remove contact lenses during long flights and use eye drops as needed.

Bring any medication you regularly take into the cabin. Moreover, be sure to observe any instructions or precautions from your doctor.

If your ears are blocked or aching, try the following :

Valsalva maneuver can also be tried if above methods do not relieve the ears.

Wearing a surgical mask can help ease throat or nasal discomfort.

If you are receiving medical care, be sure to consult your doctor when planning your flight. If you are not confident about your health due to a previous illness or chronic disease, we recommend that you take a medical check before your trip. We also recommend passengers in the late stages of pregnancy or those accompanying infants to consult their doctors. Furthermore, if you fall into any of the DVT risk categories , please ask your doctor whether you are fit to travel and how DVT can be avoided.

Please check that your carry-on baggage contains any health-related items you may need such as medications, over-the-counter drugs, nasal spray, glasses, etc.