Advice for internationsl flight?

[carpenta]

Interesting! I would never have thought of that. I did however just purchase compression socks that I'm hoping will help. Thank you!

I use compression socks on all my long flights and they work well for me. I also usually get an aisle seat and get up and stroll the aisle every 45 minutes or so if the flight allows. Keeps the legs nimble.

 

[Rapunzellover]

I use compression socks on all my long flights and they work well for me. I also usually get an aisle seat and get up and stroll the aisle every 45 minutes or so if the flight allows. Keeps the legs nimble.

I still wouldn't take off my shoes. There's way too much icky stuff.

 

[carpenta]

I agree 1000%. Don't even ask about the ice cubes they serve on airlines.....according to the CDC 80% is contaminated with different bacteria as well as E. coli.............I never get drinks with ice.

 

[Rapunzellover]

I agree 1000%. Don't even ask about the ice cubes they serve on airlines.....according to the CDC 80% is contaminated with different bacteria as well as E. coli.............I never get drinks with ice.

EWWWWWWWWWWW!!! I'm so glad you shared that information, Carpenta. I always ask for ice and I won't now!

Never thought about the ice being so gross, but it makes total sense now that you bring it up. Ick.

 

[NashSmartGuy]

I agree 1000%. Don't even ask about the ice cubes they serve on airlines.....according to the CDC 80% is contaminated with different bacteria as well as E. coli.............I never get drinks with ice.

Can you provide the reference for the CDC statistics you quote? I have never heard that this is an issue with ice served on airlines. They generally adhere to good sanitation practices. It definitely IS an issue in countries with poor sanitation. If you can't drink the water in the country, you probably shouldn't eat the ice. The only exception would be if you knew that they filtered their water through acceptable means prior to making the ice. The CDC does have the following guidance:

In areas of poor sanitation only the following beverages may be safe to drink:
- Boiled or bottled water
- Hot beverages made with boiled water, such as coffee or tea.
- Canned or bottled carbonated beverages.
- Beer and Wine.

Ice and drinking containers should also be considered as contaminated. It is
safer to drink from a can or bottle of beverage than to drink from a
questionable container. Water on the surface of beverage container may also
be contaminated. Therefore beverage containers should be dry and the area to
contact the mouth should be wiped clean.

Where water is contaminated, the traveler should avoid brushing their teeth
with tap water.

 

[Alacrity]

According the "Things your flight attendant won’t tell you " articles that make an appearance every now and then, planes, overall, are not very clean places. Makes some sense as there is very little down time for a plane it seems. I've never been to squeamish about this sort of thing, I've had worse. But some folks probably don't want to google too much!

Some of those articles are pretty amusing by the way! Others include tips on how to make your flight attendant happy...and in turn you happy on a long flight!

 

[kristilew]

We've started wiping down our seats, armrests, trays, etc with Clorox wipes. They come away black with dirt. I haven't gotten sick on a trip since I began doing this, so I think it's helping.

OP, one more tip for long flights, in case you are vertically challenged like I am (5'1"): I bring an inflatable foot rest that I blow up and place on the floor in front of my seat. On the bigger planes that fly overseas, my feet don't reach the floor and that used to make for a lot of discomfort. Now I can sit comfortably, and even stretch out my short legs a little when I sleep, because they have something to rest on. (Go ahead and laugh, tall people!)

 

[Rapunzellover]

I'm 5.0' and have the same problem. But there's usually pull down feet rest that help.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I'm 5.0' and have the same problem. But there's usually pull down feet rest that help.

I have never seen a footrest for an economy seat and I've flown on a lot of domestic and international airlines.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Can you provide the reference for the CDC statistics you quote? I have never heard that this is an issue with ice served on airlines. They generally adhere to good sanitation practices. It definitely IS an issue in countries with poor sanitation. If you can't drink the water in the country, you probably shouldn't eat the ice.......

The research people are quoting about unsanitary ice and water on planes is outdated.

http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/rulesregs/sdwa/airlinewater/

I have never become sick on a plane after drinking a beverage with ice cubes and they always serve bottled water.

I do agree with wiping down tray tables and other surfaces you touch (video controls, armrests, etc.) with a disinfecting wipe,

 

[sayhello]

We've started wiping down our seats, armrests, trays, etc with Clorox wipes. They come away black with dirt. I haven't gotten sick on a trip since I began doing this, so I think it's helping.

Oooo! That's an excellent suggestion! I usually bring a tiny lysol spray for the bathroom, but it just never occurred to me to use something like that on the seat & tray-table! D'oh! Thanks!

The research people are quoting about unsanitary ice and water on planes is outdated.

http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/rulesregs/sdwa/airlinewater/

I have never become sick on a plane after drinking a beverage with ice cubes and they always serve bottled water.

I do agree with wiping down tray tables and other surfaces you touch (video controls, armrests, etc.) with a disinfecting wipe,

Thanks for checking that out. It didn't sound right to me, either.

Of course, that's for US airlines. I wonder which other countries have similar regulations.

Sayhello

 

[carpenta]

Just because a study is "outdated" does not mean it is not factual. All it means is that the study has not been replicated. What airplane company today would be willing to open itself up to inspection and possible loss of revenue in today's climate? In the 80's I worked with a group on a Legioner's disease and the findings we came up with are still factual today. If you speak to any local restaurant inspector they will tell you how they find ice makers filthy more than they wish. On airplanes I would suspect the storage bin is rarely cleaned. Planes flying out of third world countries need to refill somewhere and I suspect there is not many health inspectors accompanying the ice bags to the plane from those local suppliers. All I am saying is why take a chance on ruining you vacation. Plus on any cruise you must answer questions about gastric problems and if any problems they can deny boarding or restrict you to your cabin. In my opinion for ice I my soda it is not worth risking my vacation.

 

[sayhello]

Just because a study is "outdated" does not mean it is not factual. All it means is that the study has not been replicated. What airplane company today would be willing to open itself up to inspection and possible loss of revenue in today's climate? In the 80's I worked with a group on a Legioner's disease and the findings we came up with are still factual today. If you speak to any local restaurant inspector they will tell you how they find ice makers filthy more than they wish. On airplanes I would suspect the storage bin is rarely cleaned. Planes flying out of third world countries need to refill somewhere and I suspect there is not many health inspectors accompanying the ice bags to the plane from those local suppliers. All I am saying is why take a chance on ruining you vacation. Plus on any cruise you must answer questions about gastric problems and if any problems they can deny boarding or restrict you to your cabin. In my opinion for ice I my soda it is not worth risking my vacation.

Sorry, of course you're right. It never hurts to be extra careful. I think the thing is, that the regulations are new (2009) so things might be better now than it was when the previous studies were done. But again, it only affects US airlines (or actually, it says "airlines operating in the US". Does that mean flying in the US, or companies based in the US?) So anything outside of that it wouldn't hurt to be skeptical about.

Sayhello

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Just because a study is "outdated" does not mean it is not factual. All it means is that the study has not been replicated. What airplane company today would be willing to open itself up to inspection and possible loss of revenue in today's climate? In the 80's I worked with a group on a Legioner's disease and the findings we came up with are still factual today. If you speak to any local restaurant inspector they will tell you how they find ice makers filthy more than they wish. On airplanes I would suspect the storage bin is rarely cleaned. Planes flying out of third world countries need to refill somewhere and I suspect there is not many health inspectors accompanying the ice bags to the plane from those local suppliers. All I am saying is why take a chance on ruining you vacation. Plus on any cruise you must answer questions about gastric problems and if any problems they can deny boarding or restrict you to your cabin. In my opinion for ice I my soda it is not worth risking my vacation.

Of course you should do as you please! No arguments there.

You never provided a link to any published research. What is the source for this statement:

I agree 1000%. Don't even ask about the ice cubes they serve on airlines.....according to the CDC 80% is contaminated with different bacteria as well as E. coli..........

The research I found was from the early 2000s; the FDA has published new standards since then, so the findings from studies 10 or more years ago are indeed outdated. I never said they did not reflect the state of airline ice at the time the study was conducted. I would be happy to read any current published research; just provide a link.

I have not visited any third world countries and have no idea how airlines restock at these locations.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

To get back on topic, here are my suggestions for making a long flight more pleasant:

1. Fly business class if you can afford it or if you can upgrade. It makes a huge difference on a long flight. Or chose an airline which offers a choice of paying a bit more for more room in economy, such as United Airlines Economy Plus.

2. Do take off your shoes. Bring lightweight slippers or an old pair of socks to wear during a flight.

3. Aisle seats are good because it's easier to get up and walk around. The cons are you are often bumped by food and beverage carts, people grabbing the back of the seats as they walk down the aisle, and you may have to get up frequently to let out the other people in your row.

4. Try and get exit row seats (if you aren't traveling with children under 14 and are not disabled in any way). These are often reserved for elite frequent flyers, but you can sometimes pay to select these seats. Be careful though, some exit row seats do not recline, such as on United, where rows 20-21 are exit row seats, but row 20 doesn't recline.

5. Choose your flight carefully. Check the plane configuration of your proposed flight at seatguru.com. It will show you the good seats and seats to avoid. Look at the seat map of your flight to see what seats are available for seat selection. Look at the amenities available on your flight; are their electric plugs at each seat, is there individual seat back entertainment or those outdated overhead monitors, or no entertainment at all? Does the plane have those horrible slimline seats? What is the seat pitch? All this information is on seatguru.

I have chosen flights just based on type of plane (prices being equal) when I know one plane has limited seat selection, or has slimline seats, etc.

6. Try and chose a nonstop routing if possible, or the fewest stops you can. Nonstop flights are not always the most expensive, and even if they cost a bit more than taking a direct flight or flight with connections, you will find it well worth it if you're traveling for many hours.

7. For an overnight flight, bring your own lightweight blanket, if you have room in your carry-on. If you are worried about germs items on the plane, it's the blankets and pillows which don't get cleaned frequently.

8. Never depend on the inflight entertainment. I have been on a number of flights where it hasn't worked. I bring a book, my Kindle and my iPad with music, movies and TV shows. A pair of noise canceling headphones are a must. You don't have to spend a fortune; you can find decent pairs for under $100. I also like to bring a small flashlight, such as a Maglight. If your overhead light is broken, it can come in handy.

 

[Rapunzellover]

I have never seen a footrest for an economy seat and I've flown on a lot of domestic and international airlines.

Oops! You're right. I had a total brain lapse; I was thinking buses, not planes.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Oops! You're right. I had a total brain lapse; I was thinking buses, not planes.

It would be nice if they did have footrests!

 

[carpenta]

Of course you should do as you please! No arguments there.

You never provided a link to any published research. What is the source for this statement:

I agree 1000%. Don't even ask about the ice cubes they serve on airlines.....according to the CDC 80% is contaminated with different bacteria as well as E. coli..........

The research I found was from the early 2000s; the FDA has published new standards since then, so the findings from studies 10 or more years ago are indeed outdated. I never said they did not reflect the state of airline ice at the time the study was conducted. I would be happy to read any current published research; just provide a link.

I have not visited any third world countries and have no idea how airlines restock at these locations.

Last I checked the FDA only has power within the U.S. and it's possessions. Since most airlines are intercontinental one plane can traverse the globe at any time and is out of the reach of the Feds. My neighbor (since retired) was a professional pilot who flew from Boston to London to India on the same plane, a 777. I would think the plane would have to be restocked and refueled in India and those products would be out of the reach of the FDA. Plus in these days any airline must have a plane in the air as quickly as possible to make money. I think Southwest must have 7 touch and fly a day to make money on a plane. In my opinion the airline business has been more stressed than ever to make money and as can be seen in many industries maintenance of machines a lot of times get sacrificed in place to make more money. Of course each plane must adhere to Federal maintenance schedules. For me I will bye pass the ice. All I was trying to do is make some people aware that there could be an issue. Happy flying.

 

[NashSmartGuy]

Last I checked the FDA only has power within the U.S. and it's possessions.

Actually, this is not true. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been performing international inspections in support of the Food and Drug Act since 1955. The FDA routinely visits manufacturing sites in foreign countries to inspect and enforce their regulations. This is how they assure that drugs and other products imported into the US meet their guidelines. I'm happy to share the reference from the FDA's website:

http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/Inspections/ForeignInspections/default.htm

I certainly do not intend to be argumentative, but it is important that we base our travel decisions on evidence rather than speculation. Having traveled internationally regularly, including a recent trip to Zambia and South Africa, I have never had concerns with anything served on airlines. Proper planning and measured caution are always essential to enjoying an international trip. As long as the CDC recommendations are followed (which err on the conservative side), you should enjoy your travel without excessive worry. If you choose to be extra vigilant, there is no harm, but don't let your trip be constrained by fear.

 

[carpenta]

....Please disregard any and all posts about bacteria(s) found on planes that I referenced. It never happened.....it was never published.....all those studies were made up ....... I only wish I can be half as smart as others on these boards. I hope everyone has a wonderful healthy trip for there is nothing to take precautions against and your immune system will defeat any and all threats......Cheers......