In the context of air travel, there is a detail that continues to raise doubts between passengers. It is possible to carry food and drinks on the plane, but there are restrictions on what can be consumed during the flight. One of them involves one of the most sought after drinks by those who want to relax on board, especially on medium or long lasting flights.
Beer, wine or other alcoholic beverages can be transported in luggage as long as purchased in authorized places after safety control. However, according to the airline Transavia, the consumption of these beverages brought by passengers is expressly prohibited during the flight.
It may take, but cannot consume
According to Transavia, alcoholic beverages bought after safety control can be taken to the plane, but only alcoholic beverages served on board are authorized for consumption. Transport is allowed, but the opening and ingestion of the content is not.
According to the same source, this rule applies regardless of the amount or type of drink. Even if the passenger transports only a small bottle purchased in a Duty Free store, its consumption will only be possible if authorized and served by the crew. This measure applies to many airlines, namely Transavia, Ryanair, TAP and Easyjet.
Alcohol and altitude do not match
The reason behind this limitation goes beyond operational safety issues. Speaking to Viral Check, Paulo Carla, coordinator of the Liver Disease Study Center of the Portuguese Society of Internal Medicine (SPMI), says that “the feeling of drunkenness in a flight is higher than in the soil, for the same amount of alcohol, due to the pressurization of cabins”.
Explains the same site that, with lower oxygen levels on board, the body absorbs less oxygen, which enhances the effects of alcohol. This condition, known as hypoxia, is similar to symptoms caused by excessive alcohol consumption, such as dizziness and change in the state of consciousness.
A glass in the air is equivalent to two on land?
Although there is no exact equivalence, he writes the viral check that there are passengers who report a faster and more intense drunk feeling when they drink altitude. The dry environment of the cabin, combined with the diuretic effects of alcohol, contributes to accelerated dehydration, which can aggravate the felt effects.
It adds the publication that this context can lead to a wrong perception of the amount ingested and the impact on the body, with consequences for health during and after the flight.
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More than theoretical risks
In addition to immediate effects, alcoholic beverages during flights may lead to additional risks. According to Paulo Carla, “the consumption of alcohol is not recommended on flights or outside of them,” pointing to an increased risk of cardiovascular events, among other complications.
According to the same source, there are also association records between flight alcohol and greater risk of venous thromboembolism, resulting from the formation of blood clots. Dehydration, favored by the dried air of the cabin and aggravated by alcohol, may be among the factors that contribute to this phenomenon.
A more comprehensive warning
The World Health Organization (WHO) also issues alerts on alcohol consumption in general. The entity states that “no level of alcohol consumption is safe for health”, highlighting its relationship with liver disease, cardiac and various types of cancer.
It refers to the same source that there are still impacts on mental health, including anxiety and disturbances associated with alcohol consumption. In more severe cases, according to the Institute’s website for additive behaviors and dependencies (ICAD), the cardiorespiratory depression may occur or death.
Studies point to combined purposes
A study quoted by viral check in June last year evaluated the effects of the combination of alcohol and hypoxia during the flight. The results revealed that this interaction reduced sleep quality, affected the cardiovascular system and prolonged the duration of hypoxemia, ie reduced levels of oxygen in the blood.
It underlines the same source that the effects are most significant on passengers with pre-existing medical conditions, but can affect anyone, especially on long flights.
Food and Liquid Rules
With regard to food, it allows it to carry sandwiches, crackers or salads, provided that in solid state. Liquid products such as soups or sauces should be packed in vials of up to 100 milliliters and placed in transparent plastic bags with maximum capacity of one liter.
For babies, according to the same source, these restrictions do not apply. It is possible to bring all the necessary amount of food to the flight, without the need for specific bottles or separate plastic bags.
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