There’s nothing like buying an airline ticket to launch cortisol levels into the stratosphere.
Should you use an aggregator or book directly with the airline? Will searching on a Tuesday afternoon score you a deal you couldn’t find shopping for a flight on a Saturday night? Does purchasing inside the legendary “Goldilocks window” really give you the best shot at securing the cheapest fare? And do you really need that trip insurance?
Basically … how do we save the most time and money without sacrificing our sanity?
That’s exactly what Raj Punjabi and I wanted to find out on this week’s episode of “Am I Doing It Wrong?” — HuffPost’s podcast that explores the all-too-human anxieties we have about trying to get our lives right.
To do so, we lovingly pummelled HuffPost senior reporter Caroline Bologna with all of our airline ticket-related questions, and she expertly separated travel facts from flight fiction so we — and you — can find the very best deals:
After you’ve had a listen above or wherever you get your podcasts, subscribe to “Am I Doing It Wrong?” so you don’t miss a single episode, including last week’s investigation of the ins and outs and tipping. Next week we’re tackling job interviews — including the one thing you never want to say.
Need some help with something you’ve been doing wrong? Email us at AmIDoingItWrong@HuffPost.com and we might investigate the topic in an upcoming episode.
When it comes to quintessential British family holidays, Center Parcs is up there – between the cute log cabins, wealth of things to do and picturesque settings, it’s got a lot going for it, especially as far as parents are concerned.
But one thing that can put some families off – especially given the current financial climate – is the price tag that comes with a week-long break.
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Consumer champion Which? recently found that, on average, the cost of a UK Center Parcs stay is roughly £1,274. And that’s for a family of four to stay at a site for four nights during a peak period like half term.
But if you’re after a cheaper way to enjoy Center Parc’s outdoor adventure vibes, it might just be worth looking further afield.
A new report from Which? found families could more than halve the cost of a Center Parcs break by booking in Europe instead of the UK.
Oh, really?
Yup. The consumer group compared the cost of a four-night stay for a family of four at 16 Center Parcs sites across England, France and Belgium during four peak periods.
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It found a UK stay came in at £1,274 on average, compared to £833 in France and £701 in Belgium.
Which? said the biggest price differences could be found for bookings over October half-term and Easter, partly due to differences between the school calendars here and in Europe.
On average, a family could save 55% opting for a Center Parcs resort in Belgium rather than the UK over October half term, with a four night break costing just £613, compared to £1,369 in the UK.
And the savings in France were almost as good, with the same stay costing £868 on average.
But don’t the travel costs make it more expensive?
Of course, with any trip abroad you need to factor in travel costs – and these can really rack up when the kids are off school, especially if you choose to fly.
That said, when Which? factored in travel costs – like taking a ferry and then driving – they still found families could save hundreds of pounds overall.
For example, Dunkirk is less than an hour’s drive from Center Parcs’ Park de Haan, in Belgium.
At the time of writing, a return ferry trip for a family of four from Dover to Dunkirk could be booked for approximately £170 during the October half-term.
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Similarly, a return car ferry for a family of four from Dover to Calais could be booked for £125 return during October half term, and over Easter weekend a return journey via Le Shuttle can be booked for £179.
Venturing to European Center Parcs sites is something more and more parents are wising up to. One mum previously told The Sun how she took her family to Center Parcs in the Netherlands during the Easter holidays and saved hundreds of pounds.
For £680 she managed to bag a week in a three-bed cottage. She also suggested activities were cheaper in the Netherlands than in the UK.
And Which? also found this. Its analysis found archery costs between £19 and £26.50 at the UK’s Whinfell Forest park, while it costs £14 at Belgium’s Park de Haan. Similarly, Laser Battle games range in price from £24.50 to £34.50 at Whinfell Forest, and cost £15 at Park de Haan.
Jo Rhodes, deputy editor of Which? Travel, said: “Our research found that it’s well-worth casting your eye beyond the Channel to snap up some significant savings
Let’s be honest: the breakfast buffet is one of the best parts of going on holiday.
Those continental set-ups with the croissants, cheeses and delicious orange juice help set you up for the day in just the right way.
But if you’re watching your health then it might be good to know there are definitely more nutritious options to pick when you’re having breakfast.
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Healthy-living advocate Michael Mosley can help you there, as he’s shared his list of foods to steer clear of when it comes to holiday breakfasts, as part of his Fast 800 programme.
His no-go list includes…
Fruit juices and dried fruit
Pastries
Cereals
Muffins and cake
Hash browns
Why? Well, recent research shows that processed foods such as muffins, cakes and pastries aren’t amazing for our long-term health.
And deep-fried foods like hash browns can contain a lot of saturated fat from the oil they’re cooked in, plus added salt.
So, what should you eat instead?
If you want to maintain energy levels and stay healthy while away, Mosley recommends these breakfast items instead:
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Omelettes – some hotels have omelette stations where you can choose your own fillings, so don’t be shy with the vegetables. Eggs are particularly good for breakfast, at around 6g of protein per portion and packed with nutrients and minerals.
Greek yogurt – rich in protein, calcium and iodine, Greek yogurt with a side of fresh berries is a fab way to get your day started.
Veggies – you’ll often find veggies like spinach, tomatoes and mushrooms at the breakfast bar, which, luckily enough, pair really well with eggs (see above).
Cheese, nuts and avocadoes are great healthy fats to add to your plate as they’ll keep you fuller for longer.
With that all said, if you’re anything like me, holidays are the time to let loose and really enjoy yourself. So, I will be stacking my plate high with pasteis de nata when I visit Portugal later this year, thank you very much.
And maybe I’ll add some berries on the side… You know, for balance.
25% of Brits are considering a beach break abroad this year which means there will be plenty of flights leaving UK airports this summer and while we’re sure you’re a great passenger who has never annoyed the person sitting next to you, we thought it best to trawl the internet and find the best advice on flight etiquette. Just to be sure. Nothing personal.
Keep The FaceTime To A Minimum
According to Kirstie Koerbel, a flight attendant, “boarding an airplane is not the time for your goodbyes. It’s time for you to concentrate on finding your seat and stowing your bags as fast as possible so the people behind you can do the same thing.”
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Realistically, though, you should be keeping the noise from phones and tablets to a minimum. You are flying in a metal tube across countries and oceans, squashed in with a lot of humans doing the same thing. The least you can do is not subject them to your music/movies/TikToks. Headphones are a MUST.
Keep Your Shoes On
A pilot speaking to the Daily Mail said, “The floor in the main cabin is vacuumed but not mopped. People vomit on these materials daily so it’s a good idea to wear shoes.”
BLEUGH. We’re sure it’s tempting, especially on long-haul flights, planes are actually very filled with germs and aren’t the kind of place you want to walk around barefooted. Often, flight attendants can provide you with disposable flip-flops but you might want to consider just wearing your comfiest shoes to fly in.
Respect The Boundaries Of Your Fellow Passengers
Lydia Ramsey, an etiquette expert says: “Acknowledge this person with a greeting as you’re starting off and then you can read the other person to see whether they want to talk or not but most people really want to find some peace and quiet. If the other person is chatty, politely excuse yourself.”
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For some people, flying can be an intimidating experience and they might not be feeling as chatty as you are. In fact, 21 million Brits are afraid of flying. Instead of trying to force conversation with your seatmate, respect their boundaries and find ways to entertain yourself.
Be Considerate When Reclining Your Chair
Frequent flyers will know the struggle of somebody dramatically reclining their chair and, in turn, knocking your laptop/food/drink/last nerve. While everybody has the “right to recline”, speak to the person behind you to check that it’s okay with them and that you won’t be knocking anything over when you do so.
Don’t Argue Over Armrests
Koerbel said, “[the middle seat is] the consolation prize for being squished between two people with nowhere to lean. Case closed.”
The least you can do for the poor soul stuck in the middle is grant them both armrests.
UK tourists looking to travel to Spain in the coming months need to be aware of an outbreak of dengue fever in Ibiza.
The Spanish government has warned that cases of the virus, known as both dengue or dengue fever, transmitted by mosquitos, may spread at a higher rate during the busier summer months.
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It comes after six German tourists were infected in Ibiza between May and November 2022. Health officials are warning there is a “moderate” risk people could catch it this summer.
The Spanish government thinks that an outbreak may have been spread by holidaymaker from Mexico who only developed symptoms upon arrival.
Most of the time, the infection is not too serious and can go away on its own.
Still, Spain’s ministry of health have made it clear that they want all holidaymakers to be aware of the potential infection.
The officials said in a statement: ”One of the potential vectors of dengue is the Aedes albopictus mosquito, present throughout the area, the Spanish Mediterranean and the Balearic Islands and also in some areas of the interior and north of the country.
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“After learning about the cases, the authorities of the Balearic Islands have planned actions such as pertinent surveillance and vector control and also communication and information to the public, to be carried out before and during the start of the vector activity season.”
What are the symptoms of dengue fever?
The NHS website explains that symptoms start to show around four to 10 days after someone is bitten by an infected mosquito.
The symptoms are similar to flu:
A high temperature
Severe headache
Pain behind the eyes
Muscle and joint pain
Feeling or being sick
Swollen glands
A blotchy rash of flat or slightly raised spots
Dengue fever can also be deadly to the vulnerable, with more severe symptoms emerging a few days after the person first falls ill.
This can include repeated vomiting, bleeding gums or nose, severe stomach pain, fast breathing, extreme tiredness, being unable to relax, blood in vomit or your poo.
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Key facts about catching dengue
The type of mosquito who transmits the virus tends to bite during the daytime.
You cannot get it from another person, and it is not found in the UK.
But in Spain and other parts of southern Europe like Croatia, France, Italy, Portugal and Madeira, you can get dengue between spring and November, when the weather is warmer.
It is very common in parts of Africa, Asia, Central and South America, Caribbean, Pacific islands and parts of North America.
We’re a few months away from summer which means it’s time to start planning our holiday getaways.
For most Brits, Spain is a popular holiday destination – it’s just a few hours on the plane, close to home and it has several beaches to choose from.
This is why you’ll be sad to know that there’s a list of Spanish hotspots that are trying to keep tourists away this year. Barcelona is part of the latest catalogue of Spanish destinations to publicly share that they’re receiving too many visitors and that they’re taking action to combat over-tourism.
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Ada Colau, mayor of the city says that she wants to limit the number of cruise ships going to Barcelona.
This comes after a series of restrictions were introduced to ward off tourists visiting the city. This included restricting the number of hotel beds and new hotels opening in Barcelona.
The mayor has also campaigned for the scrapping of airport extension plans.
“The great challenge is tourism. Barcelona is a very densely populated city, hemmed in between the mountains and the sea, with restricted space,” Colau told The Times.
“We can’t take infinite numbers of tourists. There has to be a sense of limits and order.”
27 million people visit Barcelona each year – a number that is an eye-watering 16 times more people than its full-time population.
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Deputy mayor Jaume Collboni has said Barcelona wants to attract “quality over quantity” when it comes to tourists visiting the city – meaning fewer people coming, but spending more money when they do visit.
Barcelona isn’t the only Spanish destination trying to change the type of tourists that it attracts. Majorca, Menorca, and Ibiza announced earlier this month how they’re planning to stop a high number of Brits visiting.
They will have an “absolute ceiling” when it comes to tourist numbers in the future, the government of the Balearic Islands says.
They will try and limit the impact of tourism by encouraging holidaymakers to visit at different times of the year, tourists chiefs say.
After what felt like the longest month ever, February is finally here – bringing with it slightly longer days, ever-so-slightly warmer weather and the first school holiday of the year.
If you’re stuck for things to do over half term, or perhaps you’ve got under-fives to entertain each week, there’s plenty of things to do in London (and indeed nationwide this month).
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With everything being so damn expensive right now (especially for parents), we’ve rounded up a list of free things to do in the capital during February, as well as some inspo for those living outside of London. You’re welcome.
Free things to do in London
The Science Museum has a whole host of free activities for kids this month. Some of the highlights include:
Technicians, an interactive gallery for 11–16-year-olds where they can step into Shuri’s Lab from Black Panther; try their hand at creating lifesaving drugs; pilot a remotely operated vehicle on the ocean floor; or even control a robotic arm);
Pattern Pod, a multi-sensory gallery for under-eights;
The Garden, another interactive space for kids aged three to six;
Character Creator (weekends and school holidays, 12-1.45pm) where children aged three to 13 years old can create, design or even become their own unique sci-fi character.
Tree-mendous Adventures (dates and times vary) for three- to seven-year-olds. Visitors are taken on a journey from the end of the roots to the tips of the leaves in an interactive storytelling adventure through the trees.
The Southbank Centre’s Imagine Children’s Festival (February 8-18) has over 100 events on, many of which are free to attend. Some of the free highlights include:
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One & Everything Family Trail, exploring endangered languages (Feb 8-17)
STIK, STAMP, by acclaimed street artist STIK. This is a free print workshop where children create a stamp print to take home (Feb 8-16).
Rhymes LIVE, an interactive show to reimagine the nursery rhyme (Feb 10)
Daytime Rave with DJ Archie and Friends, the Guinness World Record Holder for World’s Youngest DJ (Feb 11).
The Marvellous Myth Hunters, a free storytelling event for those that love heroes, monsters and mythical tales (Feb 12)
Wellbeing Wind Down – daily wind-downs help families using simple yoga, concentration and mindfulness exercises (Feb 12-17).
Imagine’s Big Gig, the festival experience but without the rain and the mud (Feb 13)
ZooNation Youth Company’s Hip-Hop Half-Term – a day of demos and workshops by some of the leading young performers in the UK (Feb 15).
The Museum of the Home in Hoxton is free to visit and, on February 14, will be running a series of drop-in (10.30am-4pm) clay-based workshops inspired by Vietnamese culture for all the family to enjoy.
Learn about the origins of the use of clay with archivist and storyteller Trà My, before playing with clay to make your own new ceramic home object with artist AP Nguyen.
Once you’ve played with clay you will be told stories from Vietnamese folklore and have the opportunity to join artist Chery Nguyen for a soothing workshop where you can decorate your very own teacup.
The Tate Modern has plenty on offer for kids and grownups alike. It’s free to enter. Check out UNIQLO Tate Play, which is the gallery’s new free programme of art, activities and play for families of all ages. From February 11-19, you can try your hand at weaving your own artwork (10.30am-6pm) at the Threads Holiday Make Studio.
The Barbican has a range of free things to do on Level G, including Squish Space which is a free creative play space for under-5s and their families. The space is designed by artist/designer duo India Harvey and Lisa Marie Bengtsson and brings people together to learn through interaction, collaboration and play. Using a variety of materials and tactile objects, it’s a place to spin, jump, hide, touch and explore. You can book here.
Ruislip Lido – on the outskirts of London – is home to a manmade beach and huge play area for children of all ages to enjoy. There’s also a miniature railway which you can get on nearby (although you have to pay for tickets). On 14 February, the Woodland Centre nearby is hosting a free arts and craft session from 1-3pm for kids aged four and over. More information, including how to book, can be found here.
A must for anyone visiting or living in London is to take kids to see the Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace. It happens daily from 10.45am and lasts for about 45 minutes. Be warned, it can get busy so it’s worth arriving earlier to get a good spot.
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Let your kids go undercover and test their detective skills during half term at the Horniman Museum, as part of the Montgomery Bonbon: Museum Mystery Trail (February 11-19). Kids can grab an activity sheet at the main entrance and test out their detective skills, while solving puzzles and having fun. On Saturdays from 2pm-4pm, children aged three and over can get stuck into a free craft session.
Outside of London? Try these instead
Head to the playground. If you’ve visited your local one a fair few times, why not find a bigger, more exciting playground, that you can travel to and spend a few hours at?
Lakes, ponds and aquadromes are often great places to visit for a walk. Even if it’s wet, children – especially younger kids – often love to splash about in puddles. Grab their waterproofs and get going.
Venture to a nearby park and play nature bingo. You can find printable bingo sheets online. Don’t have a printer? Draw out the grid on a piece of paper! Make a game out of your park visit and see how many things they can find. If that doesn’t float your boat, take a football or a frisbee and get active.
Head to the beach. You don’t need to go in the sea. Wrap up warm and let your kids build castles (or other structures!) on the sand, or take a net and wellies and help them check out the rock pools.
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Visit your local library. Libraries are such a great place to take kids – especially when it’s raining. If you haven’t become a member yet, it’s worth signing up. We have it under good authority that under-5s are particularly huge fans. Some libraries also have toys and play areas.
Art galleries and museums are often free to enter and tend to have activities on for kids, especially during half-term.
Pets at Home is hosting free pet workshops in stores across the country. Children will have the chance to meet a range of small animals and learn about looking after them. They’ll receive an activity sheet to take away and a special My Pet Pals certificate. The free workshops will be running every Saturday and Sunday until March 12, with additional sessions during the week of February half term at some stores.
You’re reading Love Stuck, where trained therapists answer your dating, sex and relationship dilemmas. You can submit a question here.
In a relationship, you won’t always share the same desires as your partner. Your partner might want to go on holiday for two weeks whilst you’d prefer if the holiday was for seven days. Perhaps you want to have three children but your partner wants to have one.
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Or you want to move to another country, but your partner doesn’t think this is the best idea. This is the issue for this week’s reader. Harriet.
“I’m a 73-year old woman and want to move to New Zealand where my daughter and granddaughter live. My husband of 30 plus years wants to stay. Do I go or do I stay?” she asks.
Should she make the move to New Zealand without her partner? Or should she stay in the UK?
Counselling Directory member Kirsty Taylor suggests that Harriet considers the pros and cons of moving her life across the world without her husband. “It might be useful to actually make a list of all the reasons to go, and all the reasons to stay,” she adds.
What would you say to this reader?
“There can be strong emotional reactions when someone you love dearly is moving far away, and it’s a very normal response to consider if life would be better being nearer to those you love the most,” Taylor says.
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“However, there is a long marriage and partnership to consider here too. I would like the reader to reflect on her marriage and how much it means to her, to have a good honest period of reflection on what she wants her future to look like and who she most wants to be in it.”
Counselling Directory member Paula Coles thinks it’s understandable that Harriet would want to live closer to her grandchildren. However she says “it’s important that lots of thought should be out in to huge decisions such as this, partly because it affects many individuals in both the nuclear and extended family systems.”
Coles is also curious about Harriet’s current life. “Is she perhaps feeling a lack of purpose that she hopes the daughter and granddaughter can give her?
“How might she also find purpose in her current life through friends and activities, which for many have been dreadfully affected by the pandemic and the strain that has put on many people in the last few years.”
How can she weigh up if she should move away?
Taylor thinks Harriet could benefit from a little bit of space and time to really consider this decision. “It might be useful for her to write a list of all the pros of moving to New Zealand and then all the cons of this decision.
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“I think the reader could map out her future by writing it down. She could spend some time imagining what she wants from the rest of her life – will living near her daughter without her husband give her enough joy to sustain a life away from her husband? What does her daughter imagine this life to look like?”
It could put a strain on the relationship if Harriet relies on her daughter for all of her social needs.
“Has there been some conversation about the practicalities of this decision if she goes ahead with it, in terms of finance, where to live, healthcare, leaving friends, potentially living alone?” Taylor asks.
“Ultimately, the gut is our guide to decision making. The reader needs to be clear about what her gut is telling her. Regardless if the decision might cause some pain and difficulty, her gut might already have the answer.”
How can she deal with this issue with her partner?
Ultimately, Harriet needs to have a long discussion with her partner. “She could try and find out his reasons for not wanting to go, and see if there is a way to come to a mutual agreement or to manage his fears and worries about a move and find a way to make a plan together,” Taylor says.
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Taylor believes that she should have an honest and truthful conversation with her husband about why she is considering to move. “There may be a bigger issue in the relationship that needs some gentle navigation.”
Her desire to move could also be a sign of deeper unhappiness or frustration. “People often look at their lives at certain points and want to make some changes,” Taylor adds.
“There may be a way of finding a middle ground – half a year in NZ, half a year in the UK. Ultimately, this issue needs some careful and considered navigation to come to an outcome that makes sense for the reader’s future happiness.”
Love Stuck is for those who’ve hit a romantic wall, whether you’re single or have been coupled up for decades. With the help of trained sex and relationship therapists, HuffPost UK will help answer your dilemmas. Submit a question here.
Just like that, the last bank holiday of the season (until Christmas) has passed. Love Island has finished, we experienced two heatwaves, danced at Notting Hill Carnival and caught a tan at the beach. It looks like it’s time to slowly start putting your summer clothes away and get out your jumpers.
I know you don’t want to to think about winter just yet, so why don’t you use this time to start planning your holidays for next year?
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It might feel too early, but if you start plotting your time now, you can get bag the best days and get 47 days off work by using only 19 days of annual leave. Imagine how you’d spend that time living your best life!
Want to find out how you can maximise your holidays next year? Keep reading.
Easter weekend 🐣
Easter Sunday falls on Sunday 9 April in 2023. If your employer closes on the weekends and bank holidays you can get a 10-day break using four days of annual leave.
Book off: April 3, 4, 5, 6
Get off: March 31 to April 10
May bank holiday 🌸
Ah, May how we love you for your multiple bank holidays. If you didn’t manage to get those days off in April then you’re in luck, because the May bank holiday is shortly after the Easter break. The first bank holiday is on May 1.
Book off: May 2, 3, 4, 5
Get off: April 31st to May 8th
The fun doesn’t stop there in May as we also have the late May bank holiday which falls on May 29.
Book off: May 30, 31, June 1, 2
Get off: May 29 to Sunday June 4
August bank holiday 🏖️
The August bank holiday is everyone’s favourite. It signifies the end of summer so we all want to make the most out of that weekend. And it’s the perfect time to book a little trip away. The 2023 August bank holiday falls on Monday 28.
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Book off: August 29, 30, 31, September 1
Get off: August 26 to September 3
Christmas 🎄
Tis’ the season to be jolly by taking timing off to eat a dozen mince pies. Even those who don’t enjoy Christmas don’t want to work during that time. We’d all rather drink hot chocolate and snuggle up in bed. Christmas day falls on Monday 25 in 2023. You’ll also get a bank holiday on Boxing day (December 26) and New Year’s Day (January 1 2024)
Ordering beer, wine or a cocktail while flying is a common move. For some, having an alcoholic beverage on the plane is a travel day essential to relax, take the edge off, celebrate a vacation or even to fall asleep on a long flight.
We reached out to some experts in medicine and nutrition, and asked if alcoholic beverages were a good idea while flying. Here’s what we found out about how alcohol affects your body while you’re up in the air.
Is it a bad idea to order alcohol on a flight?
There’s no easy answer to this question, experts say. Ordering a beer or wine while flying is a personal decision that might work for one person and not for the person sitting next to them. “If a person is on edge due to flying in general — and doesn’t become more so with alcohol — sometimes having a beverage might relax them or make the process feel a little bit more pleasant or more ordinary,” said Wendy Bazilian, a registered dietitian nutritionist.
But while some may grab a drink as a celebratory kickoff for a long-awaited trip, others may experience side effects while drinking on a plane.
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You may not sleep well.
It’s tempting to order a drink in hopes that it will help you fall asleep and get some much-needed rest on an overnight flight. But this isn’t necessarily the greatest idea, according to the experts we spoke to. “Even though you think it relaxes you, your sleep will be disrupted and you likely will not get into REM sleep, the type of sleep that is restorative,” said Amy Shapiro, a registered dietitian at Real Nutrition.
Jaromir Chalabala/EyeEm via Getty Images
You may doze off after a glass of wine, but your sleep won’t be as restful.
Drinking on a flight doesn’t promote restorative sleep but can help some people fall asleep, Bazilian points out. “If in moderation … if she or he believes it helps a little to ease into sleep, then that can be fine.”
You may become dehydrated.
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Alcohol is a diuretic, which means your body will increase its output of urine. If you don’t drink additional water to make up for this fluid loss, you may quickly become dehydrated, Shapiro said.
You may become intoxicated without even realizing.
“There is usually very little food available on most flights — or it is not particularly appetizing — and it would be easy to drink too much on a relatively empty stomach,” said Dr. Karen Jubanyik, an associate professor of emergency medicine at Yale University School of Medicine. It would be very easy to drink the same amount you drink at home, but without adequate food intake, this amount might be too much, she said.
There’s also the fact that most people are pretty sedentary on a flight, rarely leaving their seat. When you do get up, you may find you’re feeling the effects of alcohol more than expected.
You could become disruptive.
We all know that drinking alcohol can lower inhibitions. This could cause an individual to become loud and disrespectful to the flight crew and fellow passengers. People with lowered inhibitions may have a harder time staying calm when annoyed by small inconveniences and actions of people nearby, like a fully reclined seat back. “If someone has lowered inhibitions, they may speak their mind or start a confrontation with another passenger over relatively small things, which can also land them in trouble,” Jubanyik said.
You may have trouble moving around the plane.
“Progressive intoxication can lead to slurred speech, trouble with coordination and trouble walking,” Jubanyik said. “Just walking to and using the bathroom or exiting the plane could be difficult.”
The good news? You can drink on a flight if you keep some recommendations in mind.
Sipping a cocktail while commuting home from a work trip or while en route to a vacation doesn’t carry a ton of benefits, but you can still enjoy a drink while flying if it’s a behavior that works for you.
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“It can be helpful in relaxing you or easing anxiety in the beginning, and since many people are anxious flyers, this can help,” Shapiro said, while also pointing out that drinking too much can lead to increased anxiety and have a boomerang effect, so it is important to know your limit.
Sometimes you may just want to order a drink simply because you feel like having one (many of us regularly do so after work or on the weekends), and this is fine when done in moderation and with a few tips in mind.
Don’t drink on an empty stomach.
If you plan to drink alcohol on a flight, pack some snacks and make sure to eat a meal before boarding if you know there won’t be any in-flight food service.
“Eating food alongside alcohol can help maintain energy and steady blood sugar while your body processes the alcohol,” Bazilian said.
Stay hydrated.
The experts we spoke to recommend alternating each alcoholic drink with at least one or two glasses of water. “This will help you to remain hydrated and to feel the negative effects less,” Shapiro said. Electrolyte drinks can also help, and if you have the chance, fill up your water bottle in the airport before takeoff. Water and other nonalcoholic drinks aren’t always readily available throughout the flight, so sometimes it’s just easier to carry your own.
Don’t drink if you’re going to be renting a car upon arrival.
“It is particularly a bad idea to drink alcohol if you will be renting a car and will need to drive upon arriving at your destination,” Jubanyik said. “Even if not technically drunk, driving in an unfamiliar location will likely require additional attention and reaction time than one needs in their local environment.”
Pace yourself.
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It’s easy to drink quickly on a flight or to grab another drink simply as a way to pass time. Along with staying hydrated and taking a breather between drinks, Bazilian recommends paying close attention to how much alcohol you’re consuming. “One of those little alcohol bottles on a plane is typically 1.5 or 1.7 ounces, not a 1-ounce pour, and the mini-bottles of wine may be more than a 3-ounce pour. Just be aware that one drink [on a flight] may be more than you count as one when you’re on the ground.”
