Flying long distances can take a toll on your body, but with a few simple tips, you can minimize discomfort and stay healthy during your flight. Here's how to take care of yourself while in the air:

Hydration is Key

Keeping hydrated is one of the most important things you can do while flying. Airplane cabins have low humidity, which can cause dehydration, so it's essential to drink plenty of water throughout the flight.

While it's tempting to enjoy coffee or alcohol, it’s best to keep these to a minimum as they can dehydrate you further. Additionally, fizzy drinks can cause bloating due to the gas expansion in your stomach as the altitude increases, leading to discomfort.

Mind Your Food Choices

Eating light, easily digestible meals is crucial for maintaining comfort during your flight. Fatty foods and heavy carbohydrates can make digestion difficult and may leave you feeling sluggish. Listen to your body—eat only when you're hungry, and choose options that won't weigh you down. This helps prevent feeling overly full or bloated during the flight.

Dress Comfortably

Comfortable clothing can make all the difference on a long flight. Avoid tight clothing and shoes, as they can restrict circulation and cause discomfort. Opt for loose-fitting, breathable garments and comfortable shoes to ensure you feel at ease. Layer your clothing so that you can adjust to temperature changes both in the cabin and upon arrival at your destination.

Prioritize Sleep

Sleep is vital, especially during long flights. Try to rest during the journey, especially on longer legs of the flight. Short naps are also beneficial for reducing fatigue and combating jet lag. To improve your chances of sleep, lower the window blinds, wear an eye mask, and ask for a pillow. While sleeping aids might seem tempting, it's advisable to avoid sedatives as they can increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Stay Active

Deep vein thrombosis is a concern on long-haul flights, but you can reduce your risk by staying active. Take regular walks around the plane and airport terminals. Even while seated, you can help promote circulation by rotating your ankles and flexing your leg muscles. Some airlines provide suggested exercises in the in-flight magazine to further assist with this.

Combat Dry Skin

Cabin air can be incredibly dry, leading to skin and eye discomfort. To prevent this, keep moisturising your face, lips, and eyes regularly during the flight. You might want to consider using spectacles instead of contact lenses, as the dry air can cause lenses to dry out. If you do wear contacts, make sure to bring a lens case and saline solution.

Managing Ear and Sinus Pressure

Flying with a cold or flu can make ear and sinus pressure especially painful. To alleviate discomfort, use a nasal decongestant spray before take-off and landing to help clear your airways. Chewing gum or sucking on mentholated sweets during ascent and descent can also help equalize pressure in your ears, making the experience more comfortable.

Handling Jet Lag

Jet lag typically occurs when you fly across three or more time zones, causing your internal body clock to fall out of sync with your destination’s time zone. Symptoms can include fatigue, poor sleep quality, irritability, and digestive discomfort. Jet lag is generally worse when flying eastward, but there are several strategies to reduce its effects:

• Pre-adjust your schedule: If you're flying eastward, start going to bed earlier before your trip, or stay up later if you're heading westward. This will help your body begin adjusting to the new time zone.

• Set your watch to your destination time as soon as you board the plane and stick to that schedule for sleeping and waking.

• Avoid caffeine and alcohol during the flight, as they can disrupt sleep patterns.

• Schedule a stopover if possible, to give your body a chance to gradually adjust.

• Take a walk in daylight upon arrival to help reset your body clock.

• Give yourself time to rest during the first 24 hours after arrival to avoid making any important commitments while your body adjusts.

• Consider mild sleeping tablets for the first one or two nights to help you sleep while you acclimate to the new time zone.

By following these tips, you'll be better equipped to handle the physical challenges of flying and ensure that you arrive at your destination feeling as refreshed and comfortable as possible.

flydubai has announced the launch of a new double-daily service to Bangkok, further strengthening its footprint in Thailand and increasing its total operations to the country to 28 weekly flights.

The new route will commence on 15 September 2026, operating from Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Don Mueang International Airport (DMK). The addition of Bangkok marks the airline’s second destination in Thailand, complementing its existing service to Krabi.

With this expansion, flydubai continues to enhance its network in Southeast Asia, which also includes destinations such as Langkawi and Penang in Malaysia. The carrier’s growing regional presence reflects sustained passenger demand for travel between Dubai and key leisure and business markets across Asia.

Don Mueang International Airport, located north of central Bangkok, serves as one of the Thai capital’s two international gateways. Its strategic location provides convenient access for both corporate and leisure travellers visiting Bangkok and surrounding provinces.

Commenting on the launch, Hamad Obaidalla, Chief Commercial Officer at flydubai, said:

“Thailand continues to be a highly popular destination for both leisure and business travel. The introduction of our double-daily Bangkok service reflects strong and consistent demand across our network. Operating from Terminal 3 at Dubai International and under our codeshare partnership with Emirates, passengers will benefit from seamless connections via Dubai to destinations across the GCC, Europe and other international markets.”

The new service further reinforces Dubai’s position as a leading global aviation hub. flydubai’s network now extends to more than 135 destinations, offering customers expanded travel options and convenient one-stop connectivity.

Sudhir Sreedharan, Divisional Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations at flydubai, added:

“We are pleased to expand our presence in Thailand with the launch of double-daily flights to Bangkok. We look forward to welcoming passengers on board and providing a comfortable and reliable travel experience in both Economy and Business Class.”

As part of its continued investment in customer experience, flydubai offers thoughtfully designed cabins across both classes. Passengers can enjoy comfortable seating, internationally inspired dining options and a wide selection of inflight entertainment available through the airline’s onboard system.

Flight Schedule (All Times Local)

From 15 September 2026, flydubai will operate the following services between Dubai and Bangkok:

• FZ1335: DXB 11:00 – DMK 20:45

• FZ1336: DMK 23:50 – DXB 03:20

• FZ1345: DXB 01:20 – DMK 11:10

• FZ1346: DMK 12:10 – DXB 15:40

Fares

• Return Business Class fares from DXB to DMK start from AED 9,000, while Economy Class Lite fares start from AED 2,500.

• From DMK to DXB, return Business Class fares start from THB 64,000, and Economy Class Lite fares from THB 22,000.

Flights are available for booking via flydubai.com, the official flydubai mobile application, the UAE Contact Centre, flydubai travel shops and authorised travel partners.

Xiamen Airlines will resume its direct flights between Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport in Fujian and Mactan–Cebu International Airport in the Philippines starting 29 March 2026. The twice-weekly service will operate every Tuesday and Saturday using Boeing 737-800 aircraft, featuring eight business-class and 162 economy seats. The flight takes just under three hours.

The move, announced on 14 February, follows recent bilateral talks that granted new traffic rights and improved ground-handling support ahead of the summer season. The reinstated route reconnects Quanzhou—a major manufacturing hub for shoes, garments, and stone products—with Cebu, the commercial heart of the Visayas region. It’s expected to make business travel and supply-chain visits much easier for companies that previously relied on indirect routes via Xiamen or Manila.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. welcomed the restart, calling it a “new chapter” in people-to-people exchange. The Chinese Embassy in Manila also confirmed that Xiamen Airlines plans to increase flights on its Xiamen–Manila route to meet stronger demand. The announcement comes after the Philippines introduced a one-year visa-free entry scheme allowing Chinese citizens to stay up to 14 days for tourism or business.

For corporate travelers, the renewed direct link offers a more convenient route between Fujian’s export clusters and Cebu’s logistics, repair, and electronics sectors. It also supports greater accessibility to Mindanao, where several Chinese companies are currently involved in infrastructure projects. Filipino travelers should note that China has yet to introduce a reciprocal visa-free policy, so visas remain required except for short transits of up to 24 hours.

The service will also provide around five tonnes of cargo space per flight, which is expected to benefit e-commerce and high-value shipments like electronics and fashion samples. Freight forwarders are advised to secure space early, as the route typically maintains load factors above 80% during peak export periods.

Oman Air is set to introduce a new nonstop service linking Dubai with Salalah, beginning on July 3, 2026. The route will operate three times weekly throughout the year, further enhancing air connectivity to the Dhofar Governorate and offering greater travel convenience for both residents and international tourists ahead of the much-anticipated khareef season.

The addition of the new service reflects the growing demand for travel between Salalah and Dubai, while reinforcing Oman Air’s ongoing efforts to expand its domestic network and strengthen regional air corridors within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Oman Air Chief Executive Officer Con Korfiatis described the new route as a strategic step in advancing the airline’s role in national development. “Launching the Dubai–Salalah service highlights our continuous investment in enhancing regional connectivity in line with Oman’s broader economic and tourism ambitions,” he said.

“We’re responding to strong market demand by increasing capacity and creating more travel opportunities that support tourism and business growth across Dhofar. Oman Air remains a key enabler of connectivity and economic diversification under Oman Vision 2040.”

Consistent with its growth strategy, Oman Air continues to scale up operations on key domestic routes. Seat capacity to Salalah has increased by 20% in January 2026 compared to the same period last year, following a 15% expansion during the 2025 khareef season to handle the surge in visitors. The airline also launched its first direct charter between Moscow and Salalah, expected to attract over 7,000 travelers from Russia and contribute strongly to Dhofar’s tourism and hospitality sectors.

In addition, Oman Air plans further network and schedule enhancements, including expanded services during Ramadan, to provide passengers with even more flexibility and travel options throughout the year.

Tickets for the new Dubai–Salalah route will be available from Monday, February 16, 2026, through www.omanair.com and the Oman Air mobile application.

AirAsia X is launching new routes from Kuala Lumpur to Bahrain and on to London Gatwick starting June 26, 2026. This move positions Bahrain as the airline's first global hub outside Asia.

The service connects Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe via Bahrain's prime location and strong aviation setup. Bahrain-to-London becomes AirAsia X's second Fifth Freedom route, helping it tap into worldwide low-cost long-haul travel.

AirAsia X sees Bahrain as a springboard for growth, with opportunities for transit traffic and partnerships in cargo and maintenance. It fits the airline's push to link regions efficiently while keeping fares affordable.

Tony Fernandes, Capital A CEO and AirAsia X advisor, called it a key growth step. "Bahrain lets us link Asia, the Middle East, and Europe better, plus scale up cargo like Teleport after its $50 million raise," he said. He plans deeper ties with local airports and tourism groups.

Bahrain's Finance and National Economy Minister, Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, welcomed the deal. "It boosts jobs in aviation, tourism, and logistics, plus skills for Bahrainis in this growing field," he noted. Bahrain aims to solidify its role as a regional connector.

Emirates has launched a fourth daily flight to London Gatwick, marking the debut of the Airbus A350 on the route and bringing its popular Premium Economy cabin to Gatwick for the first time. The new service joins the airline’s three existing daily A380 flights between Dubai and Gatwick, expanding travel options for passengers on one of its busiest routes.

With this latest addition, Emirates now operates 146 weekly flights to the UK—90 of them to London across Heathrow, Stansted, and Gatwick—offering travellers more flexibility and choice than ever before.

Flight EK069 departs Dubai at 17:05, arriving in London Gatwick at 20:50. The return flight, EK070, leaves Gatwick at 23:55 and lands in Dubai at 11:00 the next morning. The new evening schedule gives passengers another convenient option for both business and leisure travel between the two cities.

A New Experience on the A350

The new daily service is operated by the Airbus A350-900 in a three-class layout, featuring 32 lie-flat Business Class seats, 28 Premium Economy seats, and 238 in Economy Class. Passengers can look forward to the latest Emirates cabin experience with thoughtful design touches like wireless charging in Business Class, electric window blinds with the airline’s Ghaf tree design, and digital menus on Emirates’ ‘ice’ entertainment screens.

The A350 also introduces Emirates’ next-generation inflight entertainment system, with ultra-responsive 4K and HDR touchscreens that deliver a cinema-quality experience. Onboard Wi-Fi is powered by ViaSat’s Global Xpress satellite network, offering stronger, faster connections and enough bandwidth for more passengers to stay connected throughout their journey.

Strengthening the London Connection

Gatwick now becomes the second UK destination served by Emirates’ A350, following the aircraft’s launch in Edinburgh in early 2025. London joins a growing list of cities to welcome the airline’s latest addition, including Montreal, Oslo, Mumbai, and Istanbul. Later in 2026, more destinations—such as Rome, Copenhagen, Taipei, Phuket, Cape Town, and Helsinki—will also see the new A350 join their routes.

Customers can book flights and learn more through emirates.com, the Emirates App, Emirates retail outlets, contact centres, or travel agents.