Latest travel warning says avoid alcohol before your flight

Holidaymakers are being advised to steer clear of pre-flight tipples if they’re hoping for a smooth journey.

Contrary to popular belief, alcohol doesn’t aid relaxation or sleep on flights, but rather has the opposite effect.

At high altitudes, the mix of alcohol, sleep and low oxygen levels can lower blood oxygen saturation, increase heart rate, and disrupt sleep quality. This poor sleep quality can exacerbate jet lag symptoms, leaving travellers feeling lethargic upon reaching their destination.

This is due to alcohol’s interference with our body’s internal clock, particularly when flights are scheduled at unusual times like late night or early morning. Pre-flight drinking can also worsen dehydration, already an issue due to the cabin’s low humidity, leading to dizziness and headaches.

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While alcohol might initially make you feel sleepy, it prevents you from reaching the deeper stages of sleep that are essential for feeling refreshed and revitalised. So, ditching that pre-flight cocktail could help holidaymakers maximise their trip and avoid spending the first day of their much-anticipated holiday battling sleep deprivation.

Online-Bedrooms.co.uk experts Nic Shacklock s advises: “Getting a drink at the airport before a flight marks the start of a holiday for many people. It’s also a common tradition for holidaymakers who are hoping to avoid the flight jitters and nod off quickly on the plane. However what many don’t realise is that alcohol often has the opposite effect – instead of helping you sleep through the flight, people often find themselves struggling to drift off or experiencing poor sleep quality.

“Because of the unique conditions on planes, including low humidity levels and pressurised cabin air, adding alcohol to the mix can elevate heart rate, cause headaches and disrupt sleep quality. Other things that can make you feel uncomfortable on a flight are fizzy drinks, coffee and spicy or greasy foods. This is why it’s better to stick to water and non-carbonated soft drinks until you land, and once you’re off the plane, have all the fun you want. This approach will help you arrive at your destination feeling more refreshed and ready to enjoy your holiday to the fullest.”

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