There's been some research into this. Airbourne viruses thrive better in low humidity environments, therefore closed environment airplanes (with recirculated dehumidified air) do run a higher risk and chance of catching something.

Just take the same sensible basic personal hygiene measures that you usually do. Keep yourself in reasonably good shape and don't abuse your body. Apart from that do nothing.

Your increased incidence of illness is due to being exposed to more people (and their germs) more frequently in a confined space.

It is the same reason that kids starting school, students starting university and doctors and nurses starting their training are always ill. They are coming into contact with new people from new areas and swapping germs.

Take solace in the fact that each and every bug that you catch improves your immune system and means you are that little bit less likely to become unwell next time you are exposed to something.

You can get this nasal spray from NeliMed from its website and its available in stores as well in the UK and many other countries. They have a gel version which is more compact if space is an issue in your liquids bag. I've found it really helps.

+1 on the moisturise. Eyes, Nose, Skin and hydrate with water. But saying that, the type of aircraft you fly makes a huge difference as well. Roadwarriors aren't going to be flying A380's but I don't feel as dried out on one of those, even after a megalong haul to Australia. I do find the 777s, 747s and A330s to dry me out a bit but not as bad as the smaller planers. Not done the 787 yet. Next week I'm doing the A350 so will know better then.

Hand washing, getting sleep and eating well are the other tips I'd have. Try not to get too stressed when traveling by not leaving things to the last minute either! Arriving at the airport with seconds to spare isn't going to do you any favours!!

Other than playing rugby and glugging down coffee, I pretty much follow the same lifestyle as C-W-S outlined in his message.

1. I totally avoid alcohol due to adverse reactions in the past. Even a small sip makes me feel sick. Having grown up with parents addicted to cigarettes, I made a very early decision to avoid tobacco forever.

2. I try to wash my hands frequently, but there is room for improvement. I carry hand sanitizer in my purse. During the TSA check, it is in the 3-1-1 bag, but post-security I move it back into my purse, which goes under the seat in front of me.

3. Moderate exercise, but again there is room for improvement. Even on a trip I try to schedule in some exercise.

4. Lots of water, especially when flying. I tell the FAs "Bring me water, water and more water."

5. I avoid coffee and caffeinated drinks. This is a mixed blessing, especially when travelling across time zones. Caffeine is a proven circadian clock setter, so it's good to drink coffee at your usual time on the destination clock. However, I really hate the taste of coffee and other caffeinated beverages, like Coca-Cola, don't agree with me.

6. Which brings me to the subject of surgary beverages. Avoid. (See #4 above)

7. Like C-W-S, I am religious, and a lifetime habit of church-going has resulted in many positive benefits. I do have an optimistic attitude.

Avoiding alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, sugary beverages and spending lots of time in church doesn't sound like much fun. People tell me I live a dull life. Not really. I get to travel all over the world, meet people and experience life outside the box of Southern California, and do so 100% sober. I am in my 60s and still am free from any chronic illnesses.

It is my opinion that the ability to reset one's circadian clock is an inborn talent. I am able to easily resent my circadian clock, even traveling from Los Angeles to Europe across nine time zones. Other people, even seasoned travelers, struggle with jet lag for days. The best advice I can give anyone battling jet lag is to try to maintain a healthy lifestyle and know your own limits. If you must fly a day or two in advance of an important event, then do so.

When I did a lot of long haul I certainly didn't avoid the alcohol (and the wines were a lot better in the late 90s/early 00s in CW/F than they are now!), but my golden rule was three glasses of water for every glass of wine.

It meant regular trips to the loo, but seemed to stave off the germs, so that over several hundred trips the only time I was confined to my hotel room with a fever was the one time I really didn't want to be - it was the 2003 Rugby World Cup final and there I was stuck in bed in some hotel in New York City instead of being in a nearby pub that was screening it. :(

Yes, it's the French answer to Lemsip, powdered paracetemol with a few other bits and pieces in it. When served dissolved and warm it does get assimilated very quickly. I have 2 or 3 sachets of Lemsip in the mini CWS first aid cabinet, which still squeezes into the HBO. It's reassuring to know it is always close to hand.

I am not sure I am a frequent flyer by the forum standards, but I do have a fortnightly intercontinental mixed with European travel, mostly for work.

I very rarely get really ill. I will get a cold quite easily (usually air conditioning!), but have only taken 3 days off school or work in the last 17 years.

But stay off air-conditioning in hotels and flights , keep your body hydrated. These are the two key ones!

I try to drink moderately during flights and I will make sure to find a balance with work, drink, exercise and food when travelling. It is really an important part!

The four most important keys--for me, anyway--are:

1) Sleep. Get enough of it. You need to build time into your travel schedule for this. Also, manage your caffeine so that it facilitates rather than hinders you.
2) Nutrition. Not only what you're eating, but how much, too. The hospitality industry can be notoriously generous when it comes to portion sizes
3) Exercise. Briskly walking from gate to baggage claim to curb is not a substitute for time in the gym.
4) Hydration. Water is best, but you don't need to be a puritan about it.

Hand washing is the single best thing you can do to prevent spread of common illnesses. Don't forget to take care of your skin, too.

When you do get sick, remember that this is your immune system working. Let it get on with its job. Working your way through illness is not the best strategy (and certainly not for the people who work with you) but if you must, then take appropriate precautions so that you don't infect others and don't retard your own healing.

Agreed. It is not developed at Hogwarts, yet it seems to cure almost all 'man flu' and allergy related issues. It also helps you sleep etc.

As I said: it works for me like magic, so I am not going to analyse it further. I might stop believing. :D

I feel since I have been using hand wipes and being really careful what I touch, especially with food, that things have gone pretty well: I haven't been ill for ages, not even a cold!

If I do get a cold, it tends to hit my chest terrible. One thing I depend upon is Benilyn cough syrup, which I can now find in Switzerland. Really takes care of the cough.

A couple more things: I carry lots of vitamin C tablets with me and I squeeze lemon most mornings, add some hot water and drink it. That'll protect you! Now, lemon juice is pretty murderous on the gums and teeth, so one solution is to drink it using a straw.

Not a frequent flyer compared to most of this board but I do have to be very careful not to get colds as they tend to end up as chest infections which aren't good for someone whose lungs are already extremely compromised.
I don't avoid alcohol but try to have at least a 1:1 to water.
I do wash my hands and use sanitiser as well as brushing my teeth quite a bit.
Probiotics and vitamin D are a pre travel thing with me.
I nearly always find myself craving green juices so giving in to my cravings seem like a good idea.
I sleep at local night time but do have a cheeky disco nap during the day if I need to.

Lots of anecdotal nonsense here, but if it works for you it's great. Give the ideas a try!

I drink a lot; alcohol has a much smaller effect on an aeroplane so you can put away loads and not suffer anywhere as bad as you would on the surface of the Earth. Use this as an excuse to get wasted for free.

Ah, another fan of green Chartreuse! Wonderful stuff so let's campaign for it to be on all BA drinks menus.

This thread was originally posted in BA forum but has been moved to TravelBuzz after a short airing there.

LTN Phobia
Moderator: BA forum

I have learned a few things:

Carry hand sanitizer, and USE it each time you go to the lav. Avoid the lav if you can.

In airports, never touch the handrail on an escalator or moving sidewalk.

Get your shots. Flu for sure, and extra for certain places. Yellow fever, malaria etc.

Don't drink the water..EVEN IN YOUR OWN COUNTRY. I live in the US, but I can tell you that the water in Las Vegas will give you the runs. Same for some places in the South. Buy bottled stuff when out of town.

Eat with your travel in mind. Eat light the day before and the day of the flight. If you eat a huge bowl of chili and wash it down with beer the day before doing a TPAC, believe me, you will come to regret it.

Drugs. Immodium, laxatives, pain killers, and antibiotics.

You will get some immunity. My first two years as an ff were racked with illness, but after awhile you get exposed to everything and develop the antibodies and get sick less.