Malaysia Airlines regional manager Giles Gilbert’s five top tips for flying healthy
Flying can certainly take a toll on your body, so it’s important to ensure that you and your clients are staying healthy when travelling.
Here, Malaysia Airlines’ regional manager for Australia and New Zealand, Giles Gilbert (who also happens to be speaking at Travel DAZE on 28 August 2019), shares his top tips for flying healthy:
- Stay hydrated
Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water is my number one piece of advice for anyone travelling – especially for medium- and long-haul flights. Staying hydrated is really important, as humidity levels inside aeroplane cabins are way lower than most of us are used to. The result is that flying in an aeroplane is literally draining moisture from your body, and there is a much higher chance you’ll become dehydrated. Not only does this tend to make most of us feel fairly average, it can also exacerbate jet lag.
To ensure I’m drinking enough water inflight, I always aim to drink one standard glass of water every hour. You can also take a moisturising lotion or a hydrating face spray on board – just make sure they meet the 100-millimetre liquid rule.
- Move around regularly
Sitting down in a crammed seat for hours can not only be uncomfortable, but being sedentary for long periods increases the risk of developing deep-vein thrombosis. To avoid this, I always try to move around the plane by walking up and down the aisles every couple of hours or so. Another great idea is to wear compression socks as this can significantly reduce swelling of the feet and legs.
- Get some sleep
This one might appear really obvious, but sleeping on flights can be harder than it seems. To minimise jet lag at the other end, it is worth adjusting your watch to the time zone of your destination at the outset of your flight and follow the cues of the cabin staff in terms of when to sleep, eat etc. To help you get some rest on long-haul flights, I recommend investing in a pair of noise-cancelling headphones, a neck pillow and even a good eye mask to increase the chance of getting a few hours’ sleep.
- Load up on antioxidants
It really is important to protect your immune system as much as possible when flying because spending long periods of time in a closed environment like an aeroplane, breathing in recycled air, can certainly increase your risk of getting sick. My tip? Try and avoid eating heavy, stodgy food and instead eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables – before and during your flight. I always keep some vitamin C tablets or Berocca handy at all times. Plus, it’s a great idea to carry some hand sanitiser in your carry-on luggage to keep germs at bay.
- Dress comfortably
There’s nothing worse than being on a long-flight stuck in tight, uncomfortable clothing. I always make sure to pack a change of loose, comfortable clothes in my carry-on luggage to slip into.
And don’t forget to layer up! Aeroplanes can get quite cold, so bringing an extra jumper or a wrap can help you avoid this.
Giles Gilbert is just one of the many fab speakers lined up to feature at Travel DAZE 2019. Click here to secure your spot at the travel industry’s most disruptive conference.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
flying flying healthy giles gilbert health Malaysia Airlines travel daze Travel DAZE 2019Latest News
Two thirds of Australians support introduction of tourism tax, survey reveals
Can you guess which generation was the most outraged at the news? Hint: It is exactly who you think!
“The consumer really just wanted more classic reward availability” – customers underwhelmed by Qantas FF shakeup
All this consumer wants is to sit behind someone that doesn't push their seat back to near-horizontal levels.
Aussie travellers warned of ‘significant’ visa shifts in destinations including Chile, US and Vietnam
To be honest are biggest advice for having a layover in the US, is just don't.
Profile: Delta CEO Ed Bastian
Bastian says the airline business isn't for the faint hearted. We're sure Alan Joyce would agree!
Final Call: Travel DAZE Exec early birds are about to expire
Much like the auctioneer at the hottest sale of the year, we're giving you one more chance to jump at this deal!
Forget the weekend! Experience Gold Coast launches mid-week travel campaign
Your boss might be a bit bothered if you jet off mid-week, but you'll be the envy of all of your Instagram followers.
Victorian Tourism Industry Council warns of losing tourism dollars to NSW & QLD
Trendy cafe's hidden in CBD laneways can only get so many tourism dollars, clearly!
AIME 2024 rustles up $330m for APAC economy
This figure is a 65 per cent increase on 2023, much alike The Nibbler staff's alcohol consumption.
Amex GBT to purchase CWT for $871m
It's big deals like this that get a firm handshake - hence the sore hands over at the CWT and Amex GBT offices.
Boeing cleanout: CEO, chair to go as safety crisis plagues the manufacturer
CEOs are falling thick and fast these days. We should have started up a bingo game with their headshots in the office.
Star boss resigns, admits retaining NSW casino licence unlikely under his leadership
The CEO resigned after 18 months in the role. 'Another one bites the dust' rumoured to be heard playing in Pyrmont.
Corporate Traveller swings amateur golfers around the globe for World Golf Competition
How're your golf skills? Consider yourself a Tiger Woods or often get quadruple bogeys? We take after the latter.
Corporate travellers to spend big on Melbourne F1 despite financial pressures
Part of the attraction is sick days after the event as corporate travellers suffer creaked necks and blown eardrums.
Bonza officially kicks off Gold Coast-Darwin route
The Flying Purple Thumb is back at it with another route. We swear, we're going to make this nickname stick!
South West Sydney Tourism launches Western Sydney Tourism Awards
Penrith's 3 consecutive NRL premierships wasn't enough? The people of Western Sydney could fill the trophy cabinet more!
Hotels vs. Airbnb: Industry leaders at odds over who should pay accommodation levy
There's not as much gore in the Hotels vs. Airbnb saga as there is in Alien vs. Predator, but it's just as thrilling!
Singapore Airlines revamps premium economy with new menu, amenity kit
Felt Singapore Airlines was lacking "the sauce" (as the kids say). Bolster belief in the carrier's je na sais quoi here.
Business Events Adelaide set for 20th Destination SA event
Destination SA turns 20! Hopefully it's not celebrated with vodka cruisers and vapes like most 20th birthdays.
Boeing’s woes delay massive Virgin Australia order
This delay means Virgin staffers will be without that new plane smell, inspiring us to sell it in a can.
All the winners from the 2023 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards
Somehow missed this news recently? Good thing you're subscribed to our fabulous newsletter!
Corporate international travel from Brisbane up 30% YOY: Flight Centre
Queenslanders seem keen to go somewhere that actually serves good beer! Sorry, we actually like Great Northern.
Amora Brisbane undergoes $30m remodelling, geared up for MICE offerings
When $30m goes into an amazing hotel to get it geared up for MICE offerings, that's amore!
Corporate Travel Management’s CEO Laura Ruffles steps down
CTM confirmed that Ruffles will be stepping down due to a personal health issue, effective immediately.
Qatar Airways crowned World’s Best MICE Airline at World MICE Awards
You could say Qatar Airways really 'nabbed the cheese' with this one! Alright, we'll see ourselves out...
Qantas, Jetstar & Virgin hike airfares as supplier costs inflate
Supplier increases means you'll pay more. It's like pass the parcel, but instead of getting a present, you owe money.
NSW Central Coast wins global sustainability award for promoting ecotourism at ITB
NSW Central Coast jumped the gun on St. Patricks Day and got the green celebrations going early!
PHOTOS: RuPaul’s Drag Race stars hit Kings Canyon for Priscilla’s 30th anniversary
The stars have renamed the iconic spot 'Queens Canyon'. No name change to the adjacent 'Priscilla's Crack', however.
Air NZ to suspend Auckland-Chicago route amid aircraft troubles
Sorry Kiwis, your craving for authentic deep dish pizza will go unsatiated (or you could just fly with another airline).
Tasmanian Premier promises to build the world’s largest chocolate fountain if re-elected
If only sticky 6-year-old children could vote. Then the Tassie Premier would be guaranteed a victory!
The staggering amount invested in 2022/23 Australian tourism projects revealed!
Any guesses on how much it was? We'll give you a hint: It's between $1 and $9 trillion (hope this helps).
Marriott’s Bonvoy Lounge makes it a 5-peat at Formula 1 in Melbourne
If Formula 1 is so good, then why isn't there a Formula 2? Oh there is one... Never mind.
Virgin Australia posts $236m profit, but the outgoing CEO warns of turbulence ahead
Hrdlicka warns of tough times ahead, just after announcing she's leaving. We wonder if there could be a connection!
Ascott opens new 255 room property in Central Sydney
Bored of your bedroom and want 255 new ones to try? The new Ascott property is here to solve this very specific problem!
Work and play at the Radisson RED, Auckland
We aren't going to tell you what order to work and play in, just that you should be looking to do both at Radisson Red.
Swiftonomics 101: Just how much did fans spend travelling to see Taylor Swift?
Thought you'd heard the last of Swift, huh? Not in your Wildest Dreams could Swiftomania go out of Style!
Rex posts a $13.3m turnaround for 1H24, but still at a loss
Rex is slowly making its way back to pre-pandemic form. Much like us with our sporadic attempts at exercise.