Health & Safety

SAFETY ON BOARD
AIR TRAVEL HEALTH

SAFETY ON BOARD

Flying is the fastest and safest way of transportation. Approximately 3 million passengers are carried on commercial aircrafts every day and delivered safely to their final destination.
An airplane will only take off - on board with you - if inspected and released to the intended flight. This very important action happens only few minutes before take off, but the "safety story" starts on the desk of designers and covers all aspects of civil aviation as follows:
  • Design: All types of design are inspected and will only be certified by the authority if all safety standards complied.
  • Product: All airplane components are checked before and after installation, and all airplanes is tested in the air before leaving the manufacturing site.
  • Companies: Only certified company can design, manufacture, operate and maintain an airplane. Companies shall meet all organizational, procedural and resource requirements before certification.
  • People: Your airplane is designed, manufactured, maintained and operated by authorized and licensed staff. In order to keep valid aviation license, successful initial and recurrent trainings shall be completed and experience maintained.
  • Oversight: All certified airplane and company, all licensed staff member are registered and continuously monitored by Civil Aviation Authorities in order to maintain approvals valid.
Planes are strong and stable; they are built with large safety margins. They withstand more stresses and forces than they are exposed to.
The main instruments are doubled or tripled in order to ensure that no problem occurs should one of them fail.
For your own safety please:
  • Listen to the safety instructions, and read your safety card
  • Keep your seatbelt securely fastened low across your hips at all times
  • Comply with the carry-on baggage restrictions
  • Switch off your mobile phone and other electrical devices during the entire flight

Turbulence

There is no need to be concerned about turbulence. Even strong turbulence is normal and does not harm the aircraft.
Turbulence is caused by winds and can be easily predicted, so the cruising altitude may be changed to minimize the unpleasant effects.
You can expect some light or mild turbulence during take-off and landing in lower altitudes on hot sunny afternoons, because the sun warms the ground and hot air rises, making the air "bumpy".
Do not forget that - despite you feel so - the plane is never falling hundreds of feet, just a few.

How to eliminate your fear of flying

Push your stomach outwards then breathe deeply and slowly through your nose. Pause and then exhale slowly. Repeat this until you feel better.

AIR TRAVEL HEALTH

Cabin pressure

Aircraft cabin is pressurized, but cabin air pressure is lower than on the ground. It is equivalent only to pressure at the altitude of 1500-2000 metres above sea level, which is well tolerated by healthy passengers. Passengers with cardiovascular or respiratory diseases or certain disorders of the blood should consult their physician before travelling, because they may not tolerate the reduced amount of oxygen on board.

Ear pain

During air travel the air pressure changes that can cause discomfort to the ears, in most cases during landing. If you have ear, nose or sinus infections, you should avoid flying because injury may result from inability to equalise pressure differences. If such problems arise during the flight, nasal drops may help.
If you have ear pain you should try the following:
  • yawn or swallow
  • chew gum
  • hold your nose and blow out gently

Humidity, dehydration

Relative humidity is around 20%, which is relatively low and therefore may cause discomfort in the eyes, mouth and nose.
For alleviating discomfort we suggest you use spectacles instead of contact lenses, drink soft drinks before and during the flight (avoid drinking alcoholic and caffeine-containing beverages) and use skin moisturising lotion.

Immobility and deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Prolonged immobility on long flights - particularly when seated - may lead to development of blood clots in the legs. In most case it does not cause any symptoms, but it may cause swelling and stiffness. Very rarely, when there is an extensive clot in the leg, small pieces of clot may detach and be carried through the blood stream to the heart and into the lungs causing pulmonary embolus (causing chest pain, shortness of breath and sudden death). This may happen also several days after the flight.
The risk of developing DVT is very small; however you should seek medical advice before travelling if you
  • have already had venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism
  • are more than 40 years old
  • use hormone therapy
  • are pregnant
  • have recently had surgery or trauma
  • have cancer
  • have genetic blood clotting abnormalities
  • smoke
  • are overweight
  • have varicose veins
DVT can be easily avoided by
  • drinking lots of water
  • avoiding alcohol and caffeine intake
  • flexing your legs and stretching your arms in every 30 minutes
  • avoiding crossing legs while seated
  • wearing loose, comfortable clothes when travelling
  • avoiding taking sleeping pills
  • wearing compression stockings

Motion sickness

Motion sickness is caused by losing visual contact with the earth's horizon, but occurs very rarely during travel by air.
If you are susceptible for motion sickness, choose a window seat, most preferably over the wings, eat lightly before and during the flight, don't read and open your air vent.

Smokers

Smoking is not permitted on our flights. We suggest that heavy smokers should chew gum or use nicotine replacement patches or a mild tranquilliser in order to alleviate discomfort.

Pregnant women

Flying does not endanger pregnant women and foetus, however we recommend avoiding air travel in the last month of pregnancy and until 7 days after delivery. (Please note that Wizz Air does not accept pregnant women for carriage after the 34th week of pregnancy.)

Infants

Air travel is not recommended for infants under the age of 7 days old and for premature babies, as changes in cabin pressure may distress them. Infants are more sensitive to dehydration. Make sure to maintain adequate fluid intake before and during the flight.

Pre-existing illness

We suggest you consult your doctor before travel if you take immunosuppressive medication or are suffering from recent or chronic diseases, such as
  • cardiovascular disorders
  • chronic respiratory disease
  • severe anaemia
  • unstable diabetes
  • cancer
or if your fitness to travel is otherwise in doubt.
Flying with pacemaker is safe, however, unipolar lead pacing systems may be susceptible to electronic interference during flight and guidance on the effect of airport security screening devices should be obtained.

Cabin air

Cabin air is exchanged with outside air and re-circulated cabin air is filtrated. This provide a total change of air about 20-30 times per hour, which level of ventilation is much greater than in any building, and keeps contaminant level low.
The filters trap bacteria, fungi and most viruses. However, in order to avoid transmitting diseases from one country to another, people with contagious diseases should avoid travelling.
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