Before you Fly

If you need to take any medication on a regular basis, make sure you have enough in your cabin luggage for the journey plus 1 or 2 extra days. Make sure you carry your prescriptions with you to avoid problems at the customs. Check that there are no import restrictions on your particular medication in the country you are visiting (eg codeine when entering the USA or Lomotil when visiting Japan). Consult your own doctor and the website of the US Government Center For Disease Control, or other websites such as MASTA for advice on what medications to carry. Keep in mind that the effects of certain medications such as tranquillizers may be potentiated by altitude or alcohol. Please consult your own doctor for advice. Also, check with your own doctor about potential interactions between your regular medication and any required for travel related illness such as diarrhoea. Diarrhoea may also reduce the efficacy of certain medications such as oral contraceptives.

It is better to pack 2 lighter items of checked-in baggage than 1 very heavy bag as that may cause injury when being handled.

Make sure you carry all necessary immunization certificates with you, and that they are kept in your cabin luggage together with your travel documents. Make sure that your travel insurance provides sufficient cover for treatment and repatriation, particularly for adventure holidays, skiing and diving trips.

Try to get a good night's sleep before your flight as this helps to avoid additional problems with jet lag. Eat lightly before your flight to avoid indigestion.

Make sure you arrive at the airport with sufficient time to check in. It is better to wear generously cut, comfortable clothes made from natural fibres for air travel, and comfortable shoes or boots with sufficient room to accommodate a small amount of swelling which may occur after long periods of seating.