V-Flyer

I have travelled extensively by plane for more years than I would want to admit to[:I]

Last year returning from Mexico I parted company with my dinner (the politest way I can think to phrase this) about an hour before landing. This is the first time I have ever been ill on a plane, didn't last for long and came on very suddenly, at the same time the cabin appeared to get very hot. No turbulance, in fact I always like a bit of turbulance to remind me I'm actually flying!

Several trips since, including long haul to LAX/back from SFO, with no problems.

Then this year, with the same carrier but from Cuba, sick again about an hour from landing in similar circumstances. Had eaten minimally, and didn't drink anything after the meal service. I have never had a problem with motion sickness (including the effects of turbulance) so what's going on? Might it be something to do with sudden drop in altitude and why would this be different with this carrier?[:I]

Any insights gratefully received.


Regards

Pat

Some things to think about

First, was the cabin hot to you alone, or were others complaining? Were you the only person who was airsick at this time, or were there others? And, if you can remember, was the time between meal/sickness the same or different on both flights?

If you were the only one hot/sick, that leads away from a ventilation issue (especially if no other passenger became ill). If others noted the heat and/or were ill with you, that could mean a foreign substance such as hydraulic fliud was accidentally introduced into the cabin air. I would tend not to believe that is the case here, as you were sick on two separate trips in almost the exact same way.

So let's look at the other possible culprit: the food itself. Did you eat a new item on both flights which you normally do not eat? If you can remember one specific item being in both meals, avoid it until you can speak with your doctor. Food allergies can show up that way at first. If an allergy is ignored it can worsen until you have the terrifying experience of a full-blown anaphylactic reaction. Been there and done that one; you don't want to, trust me.

Perhaps the airline in question has a caterer using special spices your stomach just doesn't like, or maybe the galley crew uses a disinfectant your system can't abide. Whatever the reason, if you can't narrow it down I'd avoid eating on their flights and take on food you know you can stomach without a problem. Or choose another carrier for flights where you would usually fly with this carrier.

Sick once: bad luck. [:(]
Sick twice: good-bye! [n]

Hope this helps.

If I were you, I'd simply avoid the carrier from now on or even the caterer used which may serve other airlines at the airport.

VS.