To be extra safe, the CUNY researchers advised people never to drink water onboard a plane that does not come from a sealed bottle. They also said passengers should not drink coffee or tea brewed on their flight, and that they should even use hand sanitizer instead of washing their hands with onboard water.
Skip: Caffeine
Your best bet is to skip the coffee or caffeinated tea when in flight, as these can also dehydrate you. If you do have either, Passerrello suggests making sure you drink even more water to keep up your liquid levels.
Alcoholic beverages with 24% alcohol or less are not subject to limitations in checked bags. Mini bottles of alcohol in carry-on must be able to comfortably fit into a single quart-sized bag.
Like ginger ale, sparkling water offers enough carbonation to help settle your stomach (and your nerves) while you're up in the air. Unlike ginger ale, though, there's no added sugar, so it's perfect if you generally like to avoid the sweet stuff.
“While plain water is best for staying hydrated, other drinks and foods can help, too,” says Theunissen. “Fruit and vegetable juices, milk and herbal teas add to the amount of water you get each day.” Consider bringing your own herbal tea bags while flying.
It can be tempting to load up on caffeine or alcohol to pass the time while in the air—but avoiding the temptation will help keep you hydrated and make it a whole lot easier to fall asleep when it's time for lights out. It's better to drink herbal tea to achieve a soothing effect and sleep better on the plane.
Alcoholic beverages with more than 24% but not more than 70% alcohol are limited in checked bags to 5 liters (1.3 gallons) per passenger and must be in unopened retail packaging. Alcoholic beverages with 24% alcohol or less are not subject to limitations in checked bags.
If you do take liquids in your hand luggage: containers must hold no more than 100ml. containers should be in a single, transparent, resealable plastic bag, which holds no more than a litre and measures around 20cm by 20cm. contents must fit comfortably inside the bag so it can be sealed.
Pack items that are in containers larger than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters in checked baggage. Any liquid, aerosol, gel, cream or paste that alarms during screening will require additional screening.
Salty snacks such as chips are among the worse foods to consume before flying. With preservatives and high salt content, chips are tasty but can dehydrate the body and lead to bloating. As cabin pressure falls while flying, gas starts to expand and eating chips may result in more discomfort with gas.
Grosskopf said that a bloody mary, gin and tonic, Moscow mule, and a mimosa are all “safe bets” on flights. She also noted that a glass of wine can be refreshing if you're not into spirits. These are a few cocktails that are particularly popular with travelers.
Coffee. A lot of us like to grab a pick-me-up before a flight, but it's best to avoid doing so. Besides leaving you with coffee breath, a cup of joe not only can make you jittery and dehydrated but also can irritate your bladder, making you generally uncomfortable.
Most airlines don't have set limits for how much you can drink or what you can order, but it's important to remember that the flight attendants are there to keep you safe, not be your personal bartender. If you do want to enjoy a few drinks, keep your order as simple as possible.
"A carbonated beverage in flight can exacerbate the increase in intestinal gas, which typically expands up to 30% due to the decrease in barometric pressure," he said. "This can result in bloating and nausea."
Tip #2: Reduce waste and save some money by bringing a reusable water bottle. So you can't bring H20 or any other liquids more than 3.4 oz. (well there are some exceptions) through security, but you CAN bring an empty bottle. Just fill it up on your way to boarding your flight after screening.
The answer is a big yes. You can pack perfume in hand luggage and even checked luggage when you board the plane. However, there are certain restrictions if you want to bring them in your carry-on. Overall, you can't bring a liquid container whose size is larger than 100ml through the security gate.
Yes, you may pack food in your carry-on or checked bag, but remember all food must undergo x-ray screening. Foods that are liquids, gels, or aerosols must comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule. TSA officers make the final decision on whether certain items are permitted into the secured areas of the airport.
Under current FAA regulations, passengers aren't allowed to drink alcohol while flying unless it's served by a flight attendant.
Most types of sealed food in plastic or foil packets can be brought through airport security. Canned food however, is much trickier. This is because canned foods typically contain some kind of liquid in them, which must follow the 3-1-1 rule.
For instance, avoid heavy meals at least two hours before bedtime and double the abstinence time for caffeine. Don't drink alcohol several days before your departure; you need to stay hydrated. Practice light yoga but hold off on heavy exercise several hours before you plan to crawl into bed. Sip chamomile tea.
A more conservative approach is to wait 24 hours from the last use of alcohol before flying. This is especially true if intoxication occurred or if you plan to fly IFR. Cold showers, drinking black coffee, or breathing 100% oxygen cannot speed up the elimination of alcohol from the body.