Avoiding Economy-Class Syndrome

In October 2000, a young woman in excellent health disembarked from a Qantas jet in London and collapsed in the arrival hall at Heathrow. Emma Christoffersen had spent twenty hours traveling, first taking a seven and a half hour flight from Sydney to Singapore, and then, following a hour and a half lay-over, taking a thirteen and a half hour flight from Singapore to London. Her shocking death was due to a blood clot or Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).

DVT is a blood clot that forms in a deep leg vein inside a muscle. Sitting in a cramped position for an extended time increases the risk for developing this serious condition. Long trips by airplane create the perfect conditions for elevated risk. This is why travel-related DVT has come to be known as “Economy-Class Syndrome”.

According to the American Heart Association, 1 in 1,000 Americans will develop a DVT each year. Factors that increase risk for DVT include:

• Immobility
• Damage to a vein
• Conditions that make blood clot more easily (thrombophilia)
• Being overweight
• Being over the age of 60
• Being pregnant
• Taking estrogen based birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy
• Varicose veins
• Cancer or heart failure

Travelers with any of these risk factors should take measures to reduce the risk of travel-related DVT. Whether on a flight, waiting in an airport terminal, or traveling by car, it is important to increase activity in the legs. Standing and walking around, if possible, is one of the best ways to increase blood flow. If unable to move around, travelers can stretch and bend legs and feet or press feet against the floor while seated to increase the blood flow in the lower legs.

There is no sure method for preventing travel-related DVT. Consider, however, the benefits of flying private. Charter aircraft allow more space per passenger. Stretching, standing, and moving around is easier. Travelers who chose to fly charter do not have to worry about disturbing other passengers with their movements. Little or no wait time prior to boarding and take off eliminates the need to spend time sitting in a crowded terminal. The stressful elements that we have come to loathe about flying commercially, long lines, intrusive security checks, large crowds, and crowded aircraft, are no longer a worry. Passengers can arrive at their destinations relaxed, rested, and ready to conduct business or enjoy a hard-earned vacation.

Comfortable Worry-Free Travel With Your Pet

No doubt about it, Americans love their pets. A recent survey by the Pew Research Center shows that 85% of dog owners consider their dogs a member of the family. Cat owners are only slightly less cozy with their furry companions, with 78% reporting they feel their cats are family members. A quick look around the local pet store chain gives further evidence of the depth of our love for our pets. Aisles and aisles of products, many of which were unfathomable 20 years ago, stock the shelves. Services available for companion animals have likewise exploded. Doggie bakeries, pet spas, pet psychologists and pet sitters are common in even moderately sized towns.

Not surprisingly, many pets have become seasoned travelers. Major hotel chains have become “pet friendly”, allowing human travelers to bring along their furry friends. Many luxury hotels have added perks for the four-legged guests including toys, treats and pet beds with turn-down service. Pet-friendly travel websites direct vacationers to local dog parks, beaches where dogs are allowed off-leash, shops where pets are welcome and restaurants where patio tables await hungry humans and dogs alike.

The one area where people traveling with their feline and canine companions are undeserved is air travel. What do you do when making a car trip is not an option because of distance? Some airlines do offer the option of allowing cats and very small dogs, confined in carriers, to board planes with their humans. Carriers containing animals are treated as carry on luggage, and are usually placed under the seat of the human traveling companion. Larger dogs, if they are allowed at all, must be checked to fly in the cargo hold. Usually this is allowed only in certain times of the year when the weather is warmer. Almost universal opinion is that this arrangement is bad for the health of a dog, and it seems apparent that it is not a comfortable way to travel. Baggage holds are usually only temperature controlled during flight, and even then the temperatures can fluctuate alarmingly. Even worse, no ventilation system is provided in the cargo hold and air quality can be quite bad. Airline animal incident reports filed with the Department of Transportation show that even animals in top physical condition have died from respiratory distress.

A pet owner no longer has to be completely stressed during their trip wondering if their family pet is ok. One option available for pet owners not willing to brave the experience of flying commercially with an animal companion is flying on a chartered plane. Many charter services allow animals, regardless of size, to fly in the cabin as passengers close to their owners. This arrangement allows pets the safety of a lighted, temperature-controlled, well-ventilated trip, as well as the comfort of traveling with the people they rely on to keep them safe. Another perk: it is possible to avoid the long waits and security lines of the commercial terminal. This option provides the three things that travelers with pets want: less hassle, greater security and safety for their pets and peace of mind for themselves. Of course this option costs more than flying coach, but the benefits make it an option worth considering.