Drinking Alcohol On A Plane Might Be More Dangerous Than You Think

The day you've been waiting for has finally arrived and the excitement of starting your adventure is just about to begin. Sipping on a glass of wine might seem like a pretty good idea to kickstart your journey, but you'll need to think twice if you're still on the flight. It may sound like a relaxing way to pass the time, especially if you still have a long flight ahead and would like to enjoy an alcoholic beverage and doze off. However, drinking alcohol on a plane can be dangerous and may even lead to health risks. Even if you haven't taken off yet, you should think twice before drinking prior to getting on a plane. 

The lower humidity and oxygen levels at high altitudes can make it difficult for someone people's bodies to process alcohol. In fact, it can lead to dehydration, decreased blood oxygen levels, and increased heart rate. So before you order a glass of wine or a beer to get in vacation mode, know the impact of consuming alcohol during flights.

Even at sea level, alcohol's diuretic properties can leave your body feeling parched.  So imagine how much more dangerous that can be while flying? With the reduced pressure and low cabin humidity, the body is more susceptible to dehydration, even if you don't notice it right away. Combining these risks with alcohol's disruption of the body's ability to regulate fluids can leave you feeling even more dehydrated. Additionally, when you're at a cruising altitude of 35,000 feet above the ground, your body has less access to oxygen. That's why you should think twice before sipping on an alcoholic beverage, which can reduce oxygen absorption in the body making it even more difficult for your body to maintain homeostasis.

Some think taking a nap is a great trick to overcome jet lag but think again before having a tipple and drifting off. When consuming alcohol, while it can initially make you feel sleepy, it heavily impacts the quality of your sleep. Alcohol-induced sleep is observed to be more disruptive and often prevents you from feeling well-rested. Consider this in combination with crying babies, your neighbor constantly getting up to use the bathroom, and turbulence, and it's a recipe for a sleep disaster with all hopes of combating jet lag thrown out of the window.  

If you're still eager to get a drink or two on the plane, then you should also consider that drinking alcohol while sitting for long periods on an aircraft can increase the risks of getting blood clots. Dehydration and low oxygen saturation are triggers for clot formation, which are only exacerbated after consuming alcohol. For individuals with cardiovascular disease, drinking alcohol on a long-haul flight is a huge risk. 

As for other folks, even if you don't have issues related to circulation, consuming alcohol at high altitudes can increase the severity of hangovers. The cabin pressure combined with dehydration can result in stronger headaches, nausea, and fatigue which can ruin your trip. Not only that, but alcohol can weaken your immune system which could increase your susceptibility to catching a virus or infection while being in a confined space and breathing recycled air inside the cabin. Whether or not you're commemorating the start of an epic vacation with a glass of bubbly, make sure to stay hydrated before and after getting on the aircraft, stretch your legs regularly, and avoid touching the dirtiest spots on an airplane.