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What to do if you feel sick before a flight?

Take Dramamine It actually prevents nausea, dizziness, and vomiting. Try our original Dramamine® Motion Sickness Relief or our long-lasting Dramamine® All Day Less Drowsy formula to prevent nausea, dizziness and vomiting. The tablets come in a convenient travel vial so you can slip them into your carry-on bag.



If you feel sick before a flight in 2026, your first step should be to consult the airline's "Travel Well" or health policy via their mobile app. If you have symptoms of a contagious illness (like a high fever, persistent cough, or stomach flu), it is ethically and often legally better to stay home to avoid infecting other passengers in a confined cabin. Most major airlines now offer flexible "Change of Plans" or "Travel Credit" options if you can provide a basic medical note, allowing you to rebook for free once you are healthy. If your sickness is non-contagious (like a mild headache or motion sickness), you can prepare by staying hydrated, taking over-the-counter medication (like Dramamine or Ibuprofen), and informing the gate agent if you feel faint. In 2026, many airports have on-site medical clinics where you can get a quick check-up before boarding. If you become severely ill on the plane, the cabin crew is trained in first aid and can access "MedAire" (ground-based medical support), but the best medicine is always to avoid flying until you are medically cleared to ensure your safety and the comfort of everyone on board.

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Infectious Diseases
An airline can deny boarding of any passenger who looks unwell, especially if they suspect the passenger might be infectious (infect other passengers).

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About a quarter of passengers get airsick, according to one study. The feeling is arguably more distressing than carsickness because, after all, an airplane passenger can't pull over and wait for the wave of nausea to pass. (Seasickness is still undeniably the worst of all, though.)

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Flying whilst infected with a cold increases the risk of physical damage to the inner ear and sinuses.

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One of the major challenges when flying with a cold is the likelihood of experiencing clogged ears. This is especially true during take off and landing. The Eustachian tube connects the inner ear with the back of the throat and works to balance the pressure between the outside air and your body.

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It is recommended that if you have a cold that you do not fly; this should be enforced by airlines in the case of aircrew, and aircrew are required to self-report any symptoms of cold, flu, or similar.

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Increase fiber and fluids. Make sure your pre-travel diet includes plenty of fiber, which makes stools softer and more comfortable to pass. Foods high in fiber include many fruits, like apples (with the skin), raspberries, and pears; beans; and whole-grain foods such as bran cereal.

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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. Your immune system is suppressed when you fly due to the very nature of being on an aircraft.

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If you fly with a head cold or seasonal allergies, Dr. Pinkston said it's possible you may significantly stretch your eardrum because your Eustachian tubes wouldn't be working properly to equalize pressure. If the stretching of the eardrum is considerable, these problems may occur: Capillaries in the ear break.

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Do not travel if you are sick. If you are sick with flu-like symptoms, do not travel.

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If you get sick while traveling, it will most likely be a stomach virus like norovirus, a cold or the flu. Usually, treatment involves drinking lots of water, rest and taking care of your symptoms. But it's also a good idea to keep an eye out for signs of infection such as high fever, chills, headache and fatigue.

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Feeling unwell directly after a flight is often the cause of low humidity. Planes have a different atmospheric pressure than we are used to, which can cause the nasal passages to dry, leading to symptoms resembling flu.

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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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Water might sound like a boring drink to you. But, it will help keep you feeling hydrated and refreshed. There's nothing stopping you from drinking tea or coffee before you board your flight. Just try to avoid doing so while you're in the air.

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Eating lots of heavy carbs such as pasta with thick, dense sauces, breads, muffins or cakes will leave you feeling lethargic, cranky, and not full or satisfied, he said. Your blood sugar levels will spike and then fall, which will negatively impact how you feel.

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Are you more likely to get motion sickness on a small craft? In short – yes. “Motion sickness is definitely more prevalent in general aviation because of how much more small craft feel pockets of air,” Bush explains.

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