Why you feel less jetlagged on newer planes – and how to check your airline
EXPERTS have revealed the reason passengers feel less jetlagged on newer planes – and how to check your airline.
Fighting off fatigue and trying to get into your normal sleeping pattern back can ruin the first days of any trip.
It can be difficult for holiday-makers to enjoy time abroad when wanting to fall asleep during the daytime.
Luckily, travel experts have revealed the reason behind the dreaded jetlag.
According to experts, it is all due to air filtration.
After the coronavirus travel chaos, airlines shifted their focus from flashy amenities to the less glamorous but crucial aspect.
The high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are now standard in both aircraft and operating rooms.
According to experts, they can get rid of “at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns.”
Aircraft engineering expert Nigel Jones said: “In the old days, aircraft used to take air from the engines, so it had to be cooled through through an air conditioning pack.”
But newer aircraft don’t use “engine bleed” air – including the Boeing 787.
Instead, they now have onboard compressors for each environmental control system.
The flight expert explained: “On a 787 the air is changed every three minutes – completely new air – and on the [Airbus] A350 it’s every two to three minutes, with precisely controlled temperature and humidity to make you feel fresh when you get to your destination.”
Travelers stepping off a newer aircraft can feel less jetlagged compared to flying on older models.
Jones said: “You feel different when you get off – you don’t feel as jet lagged as you thought you might.”
According to aviation industry consultant Al St. Germain, the new feature can create a better overall experience.
He said: “If you’re a road warrior out there 30-40 times a year, it’s about overall experience. That’s where things like meal quality, leg room and onboard connectivity start to play into the experience.
“In the past decade we’ve seen a push for a better product than we saw in prior years.
“Airlines are understanding that products can play into the purchase decision more than it has before.”
How to check your plane model
Airline’s models can become a crucial aspect when traveling as they can dictate the cabin layouts, seats sizing and amenities.
But most importantly, jumping on an old model can leave you jetlagged if they don’t offer air filtration.
For this, you can check the model of your plane in a few easy ways.
The most straightforward is by looking at your airline’s booking webpage.
Companies post details about their aircraft on their ticketing pages – so you can check the model before booking.
Another way is to visit sites like Expert Flyer or SeatGuru.
All you need to do is to enter your travel date and flight number and it will reveal the aircraft type – including a seat map of the flight and baggage policies.
It comes as a sleep expert revealed the best way to cure jet lag and explained why flying east is more tiring than going west.
Professor Leon Lack from Australia’s Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health shared the tips in time for holiday season.
The sleep expert from Flinders University revealed that the ticket to a jet lag free flight is light therapy.
Easy mistake will give you the worst jet lag
AN EXPERIENCED long-distance traveller revealed the simple mistake that will result in jet lag ruining a holiday.
Insider reporter Monica Humphries took a 12-hour flight from Denver to Tokyo, her second long-haul journey of the year.
But she was jet lagged for days after arriving in Japan – a situation she now realises she could have avoided.
She said her major mistake was not prioritising a flight time based around her sleep schedule.
She took a a nap at her hotel, but revealed this was a second mistake.
Monica recommended taking a red-eye flight instead, namely a plane leaving at night and arriving in the morning, to avoid the potential trip-ruining jet lag.