10 Best Tips for Flying with a Vestibular Disorder

Flying is a huge fear people have when living with a vestibular disorder. Between the business of the airport, the confined plane, and the movement of flying, it can be difficult with dizziness. But it’s not something that you should cut out forever! You can still travel and fly with a vestibular disorder. Here are our tips:

Before you arrive:

Try to get a good night’s sleep. If leaving early in the morning try to go to bed early so you can feel rested. If flying later in the day, get in movement beforehand. Go for a walk, do a workout, or anything else that will get your body moving before you get on the plane. 

Bring your own pillow! Staying somewhere you aren’t used to may have pillows that make your neck hurt or provide little to no support. Bringing your pillow can ensure that you don’t have neck pain during your travels. 

In the Airport:

Arrive early so that you don’t feel frazzled! Rushing will set your nervous system on edge and could spike dizziness. Make sure to bring anything you need—food, electrolytes, water, meds, earplugs in your carry-on bag so that you have easy access to it while flying. 

You can request accommodations from the airport to make your flying journey easier. You can request a wheelchair to get you to your gate so that you don’t have to worry about walking through the airport. If you can, you should also preboard so that you are able to get on the plane comfortably and not have to sit in the airport. If needed, you can also request a medical escort to join you on your journey and give any medical support as needed. If that’s not an option, be sure to tell the crew of your condition so that they can provide support for you.

Pace in the airport instead of sitting. Moving your body before getting on the plane can be helpful for calming your nerves. You may also want to meditate or listen to a podcast to distract your mind. If you decide you do want to sit, find somewhere dark and calm. There is a lot of fluorescent lighting as well as lighting coming in from the windows that can be bothersome so finding a dark and calming place might be helpful.

On the Plane:

Book or request an aisle seat. This allows you access to get up and move around whenever you need. You can move during the flight by standing and doing some squats, marches, or moving your legs. Get a seat on the wing of the plane. The wing tends to be the most steady part of the plane and the least movement so getting a seat on the wing can be helpful for motion sickness.

Sleep if you can. This may be more difficult for shorter flights but it can help you to relax to sleep on the plane. Make sure if you’re sleeping to use a neck pillow and don’t sleep in an awkward position for your neck. If you can’t sleep, download an audio book, podcast, movie or anything that will help keep your mind preoccupied. Try not to look down the entire flight, but rather keep your head up if possible. 

When ascending and descending, chew gum, talk, or yawn to avoid pressure changes that can impact your ears. You can also chat with your doctor about taking a decongestant or other vestibular suppressant to help you feel more relaxed about flying. 

If you experience motion sickness with movement, you may want to try a relief band to prevent that. You may also want to bring along a nausea stick, ginger, or anything else you use to help with nausea on the plane. If the pressure bothers you, consider wearing earplugs.

As soon as you get off the plane, make sure to go for a short walk! Your body may still feel like it’s moving, so walking around after being on the plane can help calm those sensations down. Remember to have fun! Wherever you’re traveling is a new experience, so do your best to enjoy it and repeat these steps on the journey home! Remember that in Vestibular Group Fit, we have modules to help you with any sort of travel you’re planning.