It’s the combination of factors that sap your spirit on long-haul flights: jet lag, dry air, confined space and the anxiety induced by flying six miles above the ground in a thin metal tube. Add to that the stress of travelling to and from the airport and exposure to infections from recycled cabin air and you have quite a mental and physical struggle on your hands.

When you finally get on the flight after the endless airport queues the most important thing to remember is to try to keep moving. “It’s not planes that cause deep vein thrombosis (DVT),” says Professor Michael Bagshaw, director of aviation medicine at King’s College London, “it’s immobility.”

Just rotating your ankles from time to time, subtle stretching exercises and the occasional walk to the loo can keep your circulation in good order. Bagshaw only recommends anti-DVT socks that have been properly fitted by a medical professional. “The ones you buy off the shelf may do more harm than good.” He also cautions against taking aspirin before take-off. “It won’t help against DVT and there is a small risk of gastric bleeding.”

Similarly, don’t bother with earplugs that promise to equalise air pressure and stop eardrums popping. “They don’t work.”

The atmosphere on board will be dry. It’s not harmful but even if you’re a soap and water man you might want to resort to a decent moisturiser; eye drops also help. Drink regularly (you’ll need to buy a bottle of water airside, as liquids are still being confiscated during security checks). But unless you’re overdoing the Pinot Noir you don’t need to drink bucketloads of water. “In a dry atmosphere your kidneys work extremely well,” says Bagshaw, a former commercial pilot.

If you’re going on business, factor in 24 free hours before meetings. “If I’m going to the States for a short time, I try to keep on UK time and schedule meetings for the mornings. If I’m going east, I schedule meetings for the afternoons,” advises Bagshaw.

Best of all, persuade someone to pay for you to go business class.

TAKING IT FURTHER

www.dh.gov.uk/Home/fs/en
The Department of Health offers tips on exercises to avoid travel-related DVT. Type DVT into the search engine

www.asma.org
The website of the US Aerospace Medical Association offers medical flying guidelines. Click on AsMA publications

www.airlinequality.com
A useful guide to comparative legroom inches by airline

Explore Health

• Expert Advice

• Health Features

• Mental Health

• Alternative Medicine

• Child Health

• Health Club