How do you stay hydrated on long haul flights?
Feb 17, 2019, 3:49 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, Eurostar Carte Blanche
Posts: 712
How do you stay hydrated on long haul flights?
One of the less comfortable feelings on longer flights is the dehydration. I tend to drink plenty (of water... post-meal anyway!) from onboard & drinks brought with me, but it never feels great. Curious what other travellers do to combat dehydration.
Also, does anyone know when the ice typically runs out? (Notice the 2nd meal services never have drinks served with ice). I wonder whether an iced drink might help?
Also, does anyone know when the ice typically runs out? (Notice the 2nd meal services never have drinks served with ice). I wonder whether an iced drink might help?
Feb 17, 2019, 3:54 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,200
It's not always water your body needs but electrolytes so on LH flights i put a couple of sachets of rehydration salts in my carry on.
I buy mine from superdrug (their own brand) though other pharmacies are available.
I buy mine from superdrug (their own brand) though other pharmacies are available.
Feb 17, 2019, 3:59 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Falkirk, Scotland,VS Red, BA Gold, HH Diamond,UK Amex Plat
Programs: Master of the Privy Purse des Muccis
Posts: 17,915
Hi,
After the meal I tend to avoid alcohol (having had champagne pd, some wine, and whisky after the coffee). For more hydration I would cut the alcohol and have more water or fruit juices but would not drink an entire bottle of water in one go). I often have a small snack with the drink ( ie chocolate or fruit
In the club world kitchen they have had a fruit dish which I have had sometimes had and is pretty good.
Regards
TBS
After the meal I tend to avoid alcohol (having had champagne pd, some wine, and whisky after the coffee). For more hydration I would cut the alcohol and have more water or fruit juices but would not drink an entire bottle of water in one go). I often have a small snack with the drink ( ie chocolate or fruit
In the club world kitchen they have had a fruit dish which I have had sometimes had and is pretty good.
Regards
TBS
Feb 17, 2019, 4:09 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Somewhere between 0 and 13,000 metres high
Programs: AF/KL Life Plat, BA GGL+GfL, ALL Plat, Hilton Diam, Marriott Gold, blablablah, etc
Posts: 30,538
Stick to water or herbal tea (hot or cold waters will hydrate you more or less equally one slightly faster than the other).
Feb 17, 2019, 4:14 pm
#7
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,821
I'll just signpost this thread, since towards the end there was an interesting discussion on Sigg water bottles.
Would you like me to refill your water bottle?
I never drink alcohol, at my level of travel (and age) I doubt it is at all sensible.
Would you like me to refill your water bottle?
I never drink alcohol, at my level of travel (and age) I doubt it is at all sensible.
Feb 17, 2019, 4:16 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Falkirk, Scotland,VS Red, BA Gold, HH Diamond,UK Amex Plat
Programs: Master of the Privy Purse des Muccis
Posts: 17,915
Feb 17, 2019, 4:24 pm
#10
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold; FB Silver; SPG; IHG Gold
Posts: 2,985
I sometimes get tempted to have a glass of wine, but generally I stick to water and soft drinks. There's not many things worse than waking up after a long haul flight with a hangover.
Feb 17, 2019, 5:00 pm
#11
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,677
One of the less comfortable feelings on longer flights is the dehydration. I tend to drink plenty (of water... post-meal anyway!) from onboard & drinks brought with me, but it never feels great. Curious what other travellers do to combat dehydration.
Also, does anyone know when the ice typically runs out? (Notice the 2nd meal services never have drinks served with ice). I wonder whether an iced drink might help?
Also, does anyone know when the ice typically runs out? (Notice the 2nd meal services never have drinks served with ice). I wonder whether an iced drink might help?
This is useful advice. Many people don't realise that too much water (especially when thirsty) can cause problems. I try to drink (water) at regular intervals before and while on board. This allows your body to stablise the electrolytes in the body.
Feb 17, 2019, 5:08 pm
#12
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CHS
Programs: UA GS, Bonvoy Amabassador, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,589
Hydration starts 24-48hrs before your trip. If you are dehydrated when you get on the plane, you probably won't feel good during the flight. Assuming you are properly hydrated, this is a handy guide: https://lifehacker.com/how-to-keep-p...ght-1818728808
Feb 17, 2019, 5:14 pm
#13
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: BA GGL & GfL, AA LTP, Marriott (sigh) Ambassador, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,237
a dry white.
kidding.
but agree with the post above--i generally drink loads of water daily (i dont care for coffee or tea or soft drinks in my day-to-day) so just load up with water the days ahead and on-board, yes i drink quite a bit of white wine but along with lots of water...generally ok. plus the wear of travel on the body with a long haul flight, im almost always able to sleep well at least the first night to SFO (for example) with the 8hr difference and wake up ok.
kidding.
but agree with the post above--i generally drink loads of water daily (i dont care for coffee or tea or soft drinks in my day-to-day) so just load up with water the days ahead and on-board, yes i drink quite a bit of white wine but along with lots of water...generally ok. plus the wear of travel on the body with a long haul flight, im almost always able to sleep well at least the first night to SFO (for example) with the 8hr difference and wake up ok.
Feb 17, 2019, 7:28 pm
#14
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,211
Joking aside.
It's always interesting to see just how much water some people on here have to drink when flying. In some cases it seems an awful lot to me but I guess we're all different. One thing I do eat a lot more of since coming to live here (32c today) is fresh fruit and salad. I do drink a lot of coffee and tea which might explain why I rarely drink water.
Feb 17, 2019, 8:47 pm
#15
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: ORF
Programs: Amex Plat, AA, BA Silver, Marriott Plat, Choice Gold, HHonors Gold, IHG Diamond
Posts: 3,749
I have found cutting back on alcohol in the lounges and on the flights helps and so does a hydration tablet with 16 ounces of water at the beginning and end of the flight:
.
