Is it healthy to fly a lot?

The amount of radiation is minuscule, and jet lag can usually be overcome in a few days. But for anyone flying dozens of times per year — say, at least two cross-country flights per month — these stresses start to add up, putting frequent fliers in higher risk categories for cancers and other chronic health issues.



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Some recent studies do in fact suggest that traveling, especially flying, can have a negative effect on your immune system, thus making it easier for you to get sick.

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Remember that anything over 6 hours flying time is considered long haul, but flights of longer than 10 hours are not uncommon either. One important thing to remember is to keep your seat belt fastened at all times in case of unexpected turbulence.

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How to survive a long-haul flight: 10 proven tips
  1. Find comfortable clothes to wear on long flights. ...
  2. Reserve a good seat. ...
  3. Prepare yourself for sleep. ...
  4. Don't pack too much in your cabin luggage. ...
  5. Take your own snacks. ...
  6. Move around the plane. ...
  7. Stay hydrated. ...
  8. Relax!


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Our immune systems are sensitive to fluctuations in hormone levels, and when things are kept in delicate balances, the emotional and physical exertions of flying can be enough to trigger immune responses you don't want.

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What Effects Does Long-Haul Flying Have On The Human Body?
  • Jet lag. Indeed, the most common symptom of a long-haul journey is jet lag. ...
  • Fatigue. Another common side effect of being airborne for long periods is mild fatigue. ...
  • Ear, nose, and gut problems. Pressurization doesn't just affect oxygen levels. ...
  • Dehydrated skin.


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Roughly 100,000 flights take off and land every day all over the globe. Say an average length of a flight is two hours; that would mean that six million people fly somewhere every day. That's nearly 0.1% of the entire world's population.

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Air travel increases the risk of developing blood clots in the veins of the legs, which can then enter the bloodstream and block an artery in the lungs, a condition called pulmonary embolism. In some cases, the opening can allow the blood clot to enter the arteries of the brain, causing a stroke.

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“At oxygen levels equivalent to altitudes above 12,000ft (3.6km), healthy adults can start to show measurable changes in their memory, their ability to perform calculations and make decisions,” BBC had reported earlier.

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Here's Why You Always Get Sick When You Travel The culprit is a compromised immune response due to the bodily impacts of flying. The increased exposure to pathogens + a weakened immune system = your body unable to fight off infections.

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Low air pressure during air travel also decreases the amount of oxygen in the air. This effect is modest and generally not noticeable for healthy travelers. For patients with significant lung disease, a small decrease in available oxygen can cause significant symptoms, especially with exercise.

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They're not glamorous, but they're very comfortable, with padded bunks and sometimes even in-flight entertainment! With 14- to 18-hour flights no longer unusual, pilots and cabin crew have legally mandated rest times —and airlines also realise that a rested, refreshed crew member is a happy crew member.

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Currently, the bragging rights for the longest flight in the world belong to Singapore Airlines' New York City to Singapore route. Its longest flight path, which connects Singapore's Changi Airport with New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, 9,585 miles away, takes 18 hours and 40 minutes.

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The longest flight in the world by distance is New York (JFK) to Singapore (SIN) on Singapore Airlines clocking in at 9,537 miles. What plane can fly the farthest in the world? The current record for the longest-distance commercial flight is held by a Boeing 777-200LR.

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