As flights are getting longer, individuals gone airbourne have an increased risk of experiencing health issues. Compliance Council identifies the most common in-flight health risks experienced by Australians and provides a brief guide on how to deal with them.

1. AIR TRAVEL CAN BE
MAKING YOU SICK
Compliance Council’s guide to managing
in-flight health risks

2. Introduction
Thousands of Australians per month utilise air travel for
business-related activities as it is quick, convenient, and
efficient.
According to a press release by the Roy Morgan
Research Institute, 11% of the Australian population had
gone airborne at least once for domestic business travel
in the twelve months to September 2014.

3. The top five industries most likely to utilise air travel for
business are:
 Mining (45%)
 Public Administration and Defence (29%)
 Finance, Property and Business Services (23%)
 Wholesale (22%)
 Electricity, Gas and Water (21%)

4. With air traffic being especially high between
NSW and Victoria –
 47% of Victorian business air travellers flew
to NSW for their last work-related trip
 39% of those from NSW/ACT flew to Victoria

5. With the prevalence of non-stop flights,
long hauled commutes (over four hours)
can pose significant physical challenges
for some people.
This can get aggravated and become
chronic in the future.

6. In-flight Conditions
The main in-flight conditions experienced by Australian
travellers include:
 Deep Vein Thrombosis (Economy Class Syndrome)
 Jet Lag
 Respiratory Infections
 Altitude Sickness

7. Deep Vein Thrombosis
(Economy Class Syndrome)
Named after the commonality of its occurrence in the
cramped conditions of economy class, Deep Vein
Thrombosis (DVT) is where a clot, or thrombus,
forms in a deep vein in the leg due to long periods of
limited inactivity.

8. Immobility can result in pain and swelling
where the clot is formed. This is fatal if the clot
breaks off and travels to the lungs, ultimately
causing either breathing problems or an
eventual heart attack.

9. DVT Preventative Measure
 Keep well hydrated
 Engage in regular stretching and mobility exercises eg.
walking around the cabin
 Wear loose fitting clothing the avoid the constriction of
veins
 Investing in graded compression stockings targeting for
use during long flights
 Reduce alcohol and caffeine consumption

10. Jet Lag
Jet lag is the extreme fatigue felt by a person as a result
of the desynchronisation of the body’s circadian rhythm
with external time zones.
The severity of jet lag depends on the direction of air
travel and the number of time zones crossed; travelling
west lengthens the day (you're keeping ahead of the
sun), whereas travelling east shortens the day (you're
travelling towards the sun).

11. The main symptoms of jet lag include:
Poor concentration/diminished alertness
Nausea
Vomiting
Gastrointestinal distress
General malaise

12. Jet Lag Preventative Measures
According the research, jet lag can be prevented and/or
lessened with the following tactics:
 Taking melatonin (0.5 -5 mg) for a couple of days to help
chemically re-set the body’s internal clock
 Sleeping during the flight; research has suggested that
people travelling west-bound should sleep and wake an
hour later than usual for a couple of days prior to getting on
board, with those travelling east recommended to sleep and
wake an hour earlier than usual

13. Respiratory Infections
With the recirculation of air in the cramped
spaces of aircraft cabins, the risk of spreading a
virus is high, with serious conditions such as
Tuberculosis having been recorded to have a
greater chance of transmission during long haul
flights.

14. Respiratory Infections Preventative
Measures
To prevent the onset of respiratory
infections on board, it is handy to pack a
face mask in order to help filter out bacteria
that can be breathed in via the nose and
mouth.

15. Altitude Sickness
At 10,000km above sea level, people are likely to experience
lower blood oxygen levels as a result of the climbing altitude.
This could result in symptoms such as:
 Headaches
 Fatigue
 Nausea
 Muscle cramps
 Stomach upset

16. Altitude Sickness Preventative Measures
Load up on carbohydrate-rich foods prior to
boarding a flight
Keep well hydrated throughout the flight the dry
aircraft cabin atmosphere may worsen
symptoms

17. References
 http://www.roymorgan.com/findings/5941-business-travel-in-
australia-201411232214
 http://www.abc.net.au/health/thepulse/stories/2009/04/02/252503
5.htm