Fatty meals will leave you feeling full for longer, which is uncomfortable if you want to sleep, says Dawood. Bringing your own healthy snack on board might be a good option; alternatively, you could request a special meal before you travel. Special meals also mean you’ll be served first.

On some planes there also might be health risks, especially when the flight originates in countries with generally poor hygiene standards; and if there are long delays, says Dawood, one shouldn’t “assume all airline food must automatically be safe”.

Drink and fly

When it comes to liquids, don’t restrict your fluid intake, even if you’re stuck in the middle seat and don’t want to disturb other passengers to go to the toilet. “This is a really bad approach, and is one reason why bladder infections and cystitis are common in women following long haul flights,” says Dawood. Instead, he says, drink plenty – at least half-a-litre of liquid for every three hours in the air.

Drinking alcohol increases dehydration. The humidity on board is already very low, at just 5-15%, as the air drawn into the cabin comes from a high altitude that tends to be completely devoid of moisture. Not only will alcohol make you want to drink more, but the low humidity also means that “one glass of alcohol is equivalent to having two on the ground,” says Bor.

Mind your health

Low humidity also strains our nose and throat, skin, and eyes – especially if you wear contact lenses. People with breathing problems or heavy smokers will be particularly at risk, says Brian McCrary, medical director at Glendale Regional Public Safety Center Health Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona. So if you sometimes need an inhaler, don’t forget to pack it somewhere in easy reach.