Humidity and dehydration

The cabin's humidity might cause dry skin, nose, throat, and eyes. Vietnam Airlines recommends passengers stay hydrated. Glasses are preferable to contact lenses for passengers who require them. Passengers can also apply moisturizer to prevent dry skin.

Jet lag

When flying across numerous time zones, passengers' biological clocks are interrupted, and their bodies haven't had time to adjust to the new day and night cycle. This can lead to fatigue and sleep disorders among passengers.

To reduce the symptoms of jet lag, passengers should:

  • Get plenty of rest and sleep before flying;
  • It is preferable to acclimate to the time of your destination on the aircraft, taking time to sleep if the destination is evening or keeping up if the destination is daytime.
  • If feasible, spend a day or two adjusting your body clock to the new time zone at your destination;
  • If possible, 2-3 days before the flight, go to bed half an hour earlier or later to be closer to the destination's bedtime;
  • Eat balanced meals and stay hydrated;
  • Take a direct flight to reduce travel time (if possible).

Physical exercise

When passengers sit upright and remain sedentary for extended periods of time, the central blood veins in their legs can become compressed, making it more difficult for blood to return to the heart and causing blood clots, which frequently form in the calves. Passengers may also endure muscle strain, resulting in backache and fatigue.

Vietnam Airlines recommends passengers do the following exercises during the flight:

  • Move or massage your calves for 3 to 4 minutes every hour. On long flights, passengers may occasionally stand up and roam around the cabin while the seat belt sign is switched off;
  • Foot stretch: Sit comfortably in a chair, place both feet on the floor, then lift your heels up and straighten them while maintaining your toes on the floor. Then do the opposite, keeping your heels on the floor and stretching your toes upward; you can do this as many times as you wish.
  • Ankle rotation: Lift your feet off the floor, rotate your ankles in a clockwise and counterclockwise circle, and repeat as many times as desired.
  • Neck rotation: Relax your shoulders and begin rotating your neck from front to back, then back to front, and repeat 5 times;
  • Clasp your hands together and point them straight up towards the ceiling, stretch your body, stretch your spine, and rotate your body back and forth.
  • Place your elbows on the top of the chair in front of you, then relax your head and straighten your back for a few seconds.

Meditation exercises

The following suggested meditation exercises can help passengers feel more comfortable, calm, and enjoy their flight more completely:

  • Breathe properly: The simple breathing technique is designed to ease the body's natural stress reaction and minimize negative thoughts. Inhale four counts (the stomach will expand) and exhale eight counts (the stomach will contract). Repeat this process for three minutes each time the passenger feels anxious.
  • Download a meditation app and use it offline: Meditation apps can help passengers shift their attention to a specific instructor. This is an excellent option for passengers who are new to meditation or have a fear of flying. Plug in your earbuds, close your eyes, and imagine yourself in a safe environment.
  • Consider in-flight entertainment: According to Tina Chadda, a psychiatrist and founder of Akasha Meditation: "Reading a book, knitting or doing a crossword puzzle are meditative activities that many of us do while flying." Focusing on a specific action is a form of meditation, which can help passengers overcome stress or anxiety while flying.

Nutrition

A healthy diet can help passengers feel more comfortable before, during, and after their flight.

  • Eat balanced, light and nutritious meals;
  • Drink plenty of water or consider taking herbal teas;
  • Limit carbonated drinks, coffee, tea, and alcoholic beverages, which can dehydrate the body.
  • Do not overeat because an inactive body will make it difficult to digest;
  • Avoid eating spicy foods (such as chili and mustard) before bed because they can stimulate metabolism and disrupt sleep.

In-flight entertainment

To improve the passenger flight experience, Vietnam Airlines regularly innovates entertainment programs of many genres appropriate for each aircraft route, including:

  • Heritage magazine introduces the splendor of Vietnam's heritage;
  • PressReader newspaper and magazine reading app;
  • Featured Lotustar entertainment program;
  • More than 250 entertainment categories on FPT Play;
  • And wireless entertainment services on the A321 aircraft.

For further information, passengers should visit Inflight Entertainment.