How much water you should drink on a flight
Although there is not a specific amount of water you need to consume on all flights, it is important to be aware of your hydration levels as you travel. Here are some suggestions on what you can do during certain flights to maintain your hydration.
Long flight
The Aerospace Medical Association suggests about 235ml for every hour you are in the air. The longer your flight is, the more you need to be aware of your hydration. It is unlikely you will get dehydrated from a three to four-hour flight but be sure to drink water during the beverage service. If you are on a flight that is longer than four hours, Dr Cowl suggested to CNN Traveller to drink enough water so that you have to go to the bathroom every so often. This will not only ensure your body is hydrated but when you go to the bathroom, you are allowing blood to flow in your legs and preventing issues such as blood clots in legs.
Consuming alcohol
If you are consuming alcohol on your flight then you are at a greater risk of becoming dehydrated. “Alcohol dehydrates your body on the cellular level,” said Dr Cowl. If you have a glass of wine, then drink a 235ml glass of water to counteract the dehydrating effect.
High-altitude destination
Humidity drops the higher up you are so on a high-altitude flight, you will lose fluids faster. You don’t need to go overboard with the water as an excessive amount of water will dilute sodium levels in your blood which will leave you feeling worse. Instead, drink an extra 1 to 1.5 litre of water a day.
New planes
Cabin humidity is usually around 20 per cent to 10 per cent. Filtered cabin air pulls the moisture out of the system as the air is cool and dry. This environment makes it easier to become dehydrated. In some new planes the cabin humidity is around 25 per cent. This ensures that passengers are more comfortable but it doesn’t eliminate the need for water. If a flight attendant offers you water, it is best to always take it.