Should you drink a lot of water before a flight?

Drink plenty of water
The general rule is to drink little and often. Before you even step on board a plane, you should carry a large bottle of water with you.



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As a general rule of thumb, I try to stop my water intake two or so hours before my flight is scheduled to depart, the reason, I would think, is obvious — I want to use the plane bathroom as little as possible.

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Drink plenty of water before your flight. Water not only helps you stay hydrated, but it also helps ward off jet lag and other unpleasant travel-related symptoms like headaches.

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So how much fluid does the average, healthy adult living in a temperate climate need? The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that an adequate daily fluid intake is: About 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids a day for men. About 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day for women.

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According to Bacheler, the human body loses about 8 ounces of water per hour on an aircraft at altitude, mostly from breathing. As such, the Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA) recommends drinking about 0.25 liters (or 8 ounces) of water per hour while on an airplane.

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Use an electrolyte beverage for effective hydration These results suggest that an electrolyte beverage is more effective than mineral water for hydration under conditions such as when taking a flight.

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Top 5 travel tips to help you prepare for a long-haul flight
  1. Wear comfortable clothing. ...
  2. Stay hydrated. ...
  3. Exercise before you fly. ...
  4. Eat nutritious food. ...
  5. Practice meditation and yoga.


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It's a list of four things you definitely should NOT eat or drink right before hopping on a plane . . .
  • Salty foods. It's common for people to get dehydrated on planes, thanks to the dry air in the cabin. ...
  • Carbonated beverages. ...
  • Alcohol. ...
  • Coffee.


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The 16 Best and Worst Foods to Eat Before Flying
  • High Salt Snacks. Chips and other salty snacks are generally packed for long trips. ...
  • Fried Foods. Fried foods are also high fat foods, which tend to take longer to digest compared to others. ...
  • Beans. ...
  • Spicy Foods. ...
  • Garlic. ...
  • Cruciferous Veggies. ...
  • Coffee. ...
  • Carbonated Drinks.


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A more conservative approach is to wait 24 hours from the last use of alcohol before flying. This is especially true if intoxication occurred or if you plan to fly IFR.

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First, shower.
I think being refreshed and clean is the first step to feeling your best, and it also acts as a second alarm clock when waking up for early flights. The warm water and fresh scents help to awaken the senses, and it's always a good idea to be alert when dealing with airports.

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Controlled air is dry air This is far lower than the 35-65% humidity of normal everyday environments. Lower humidity in the air can lead to quicker dehydration. It can also dry out nasal passages, making people more susceptible to catching airborne viruses, such as the common cold.

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All drinks with sugar, caffeine, or alcohol should be avoided to limit dehydration, and water should be the only drink choice during flights.

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If you do happen to pick up bacteria or fungi that's not your own, this may lead to itchiness and bumps on the skin and scalp. Showering after flights is probably a good thing—regardless of the length! —if only to have that clean feel after being cooped up in a cabin.

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It should come as no surprise that the healthiest thing to drink on a plane is water, which also happens to be the healthiest thing to drink on land.

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Our 11 Best Airplane Snack Ideas
  • Blueberry, Oatmeal & Flaxseed Muffins. ...
  • Pan Bagnat: Le French Tuna Salad Sandwich. ...
  • Italian Snacking Bread. ...
  • Shichimi Togarashi Granola. ...
  • Malted Chocolate Chunk Cookie Bars. ...
  • Wasabi Pea Snack Mix. ...
  • Around-the-World Coconut Popcorn Mix. ...
  • Slab Muffuletta.


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Grosskopf said that a bloody mary, gin and tonic, Moscow mule, and a mimosa are all “safe bets” on flights.

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Your best bet is water, a light pre-flight meal, and—if you know you're highly-affected during flights—Gas-Ex, which can help if your belly starts acting up, says Dr. Sam. Also make sure to go for a walk every now and then—either to the bathroom or just down the aisle. Moving around can help keep things...well...

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Research has shown that wearing compression socks during long-haul flights can significantly reduce the risk of developing blood clots and alleviate symptoms of leg fatigue and discomfort.

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Taking aspirin to prevent blood clots when traveling is not recommended. If you take aspirin for other reasons, check with your doctor.

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Before you leave home, drink beverages that are high in electrolytes, typically those used by athletes. These include Gatorade, Powerade and Lucozade. Resource Water is another good example as it has water and electrolytes.

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Before your flight, try not to have anything caffeine-related because that can enhance your anxiety and make you more nervous and jittery, she said. During a flight drinking caffeinated drinks - such as coffee, Red Bull and Buckfast - can have a similar impact on the body as alcohol.

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