Do cabin crew get jet lag?

In addition to shift work, the two types of employees who work on aircraft, pilots (also known as flight deck or flight crew) and cabin crew (also commonly known as flight attendants), regularly experience jet lag. This further increases their risk of adverse health outcomes, particularly fatigue and sleepiness.



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Six Ways Flight Attendants Live With Jet Lag
  1. 1 Water.
  2. 2 Eat light.
  3. 3 Use breaks.
  4. 4 Down route.
  5. 5 Sleep.
  6. 6 Don't push.


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Studies show that cabin crew have higher levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) than workers on the ground and long-term disturbed sleep is an issue. Decreased performance and productivity can also be a problem.

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Example: “I believe the most challenging aspect of being a flight attendant is dealing with unruly or uncooperative passengers. Not only do these types of fliers make the flight less enjoyable for the other passengers, but they can also present a safety risk.

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If you have the choice, try to book a flight that leaves between 8 am and noon and arrives between 6 pm and 10 pm. According to this book, flights that leave late at night (10 pm-1 am) and arrive in the morning (8 am to noon) give a much bigger risk for jet lag.

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For aspiring flight attendants, Delta Air Lines, ranked by its employees as one of the best places to work, is also one of the most difficult places to get a job. It's harder to get invited to Delta flight attendant training than it is to get into Harvard University.

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Duration of Jet Lag: How Long It Lasts
Researchers have found that, on average, it takes people about one day to adjust for each 1 to 1.5 hours of time change. So if you fly from the East Coast to the West Coast, which is a three-hour time difference, you should be over your jet lag in two to three days.

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Crew members are required to have a 10-hour rest period within each 24-hour cycle. The maximum duty day is 14 hours and must be followed by a 10-hour rest period at their hotel. When scheduling a flight, operators usually account for 12 hours of rest instead of 10.

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Reports for the European Aviation Safety Agency found that cabin crew reported the most contributing factors to fatigue were 'long days,' 'early starts,' 'flying during hours when I would normally sleep,' and 'short recovery time between duties' [31].

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Try to Sleep During the Flight
One of the best ways to minimize jet lag is to try and sleep during the flight. Using earplugs, eye masks, or noise-cancellation headphones helps to block out light and noise.

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You can use the fasting reset to get the circadian rhythm back on track. If you abstain from food while you travel and indulge in a filling meal the moment you land, you will supply the body with the necessary energy. Just like you would get from a regular morning meal. With fasting, jet lag symptoms can subside.

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The 10 Airlines With The Hottest Cabin Crews
  1. #1 Virgin Atlantic. Newsletter.
  2. #2 Singapore Airlines.
  3. #3 Etihad. Courtesy of Etihad.
  4. #4 Emirates.
  5. #5 Aer Lingus. Courtesy of Aer Lingus.
  6. #6 Lufthansa. Courtesy of Lufthansa.
  7. #7 Cathay Pacific. Courtesy of Cathay Pacific.
  8. #8 TAP Portugal. Courtesy of TAP.


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One of the biggest issues is fatigue due to long hours away from home during certain times of the year such as holidays or peak travel periods when more flights are available. Another problem that can arise is dealing with unhappy or unruly passengers, which can make a flight attendant's job much more stressful.

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While flight attendants are healthier overall than the general population—they have lower rates of smoking and maintain healthier weights—they have higher rates of certain diseases and conditions, including female reproductive cancers, sleep disorders, and depression, according to research by McNeely and colleagues.

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Published Research. U.S. flight attendants have a higher prevalence of several forms of cancer, including breast cancer, uterine cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, thyroid cancer, and cervical cancer, when compared with the general public, according to new research from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

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While flight attendants are healthier overall than the general population—they have lower rates of smoking and maintain healthier weights—they have higher rates of certain diseases and conditions, including female reproductive cancers, sleep disorders, and depression, according to research by McNeely and colleagues.

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Here are 12 tips to help you beat jet lag faster on your next trip.
  1. Be Strategic with Your Light Exposure. ...
  2. Take Melatonin Supplements. ...
  3. Time Your Exercise Right. ...
  4. Time Your Meals Right. ...
  5. Pay Down Sleep Debt and Get in Circadian Alignment Before Your Flight. ...
  6. Maintain Excellent Sleep Hygiene. ...
  7. Start Adjusting Before You Travel.


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