Everyone has read multiple scare stories about flying - fecal matter in the water you are served, blood clots developing in the legs, and screaming babies in the next seat. Combine this with the discomfort of airline seats, and the general horror of airline food, and anyone would be forgiven for wanting to stay at home.
It's easy to improve the situation though. My first step is always to ensure you have a fairly large bottle of water with you. I think 1 litre for European flights and at least 2 litres if you are flying to the US is essential. For the rest of the problems associated with flying, there are a few strategies that prove very effective. Take your own sandwich. I know it's a pain, but better eat something you bought at the airport than starve (with budget airlines) or have to eat what tastes like re-constituted cardboard. An mp3 player or earplugs will sort out the screaming child if you can't move seat.
As regards blood clots, take half an asprin before take-off and this should be effective when combined with some simple exercises. Get up and walk up and down the cabin at least once per hour (if you're drinking all that water, you'll have to anyway). When you think of it, rotate your feet from the ankles - first clockwise five times, then anti-clockwise. Pressure socks (though somewhat inelegant) are also very effective.
I'd also take a pashmina or comfortable sweater on any overnight or long flight, and an inflatable pillow to combat neck pain. Apart from that, all you can do is stock up with a good book and several trashy magazines.
Contributed by Margaret
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