6 types of drinks you can have on an airplane

Water is the best drink for passengers on a flight, but if you can't cut back on other beverages, choose one of the six options below.

When flying, especially on long flights, it's important to note that your body needs to adapt well to altitudes that can reach 10,000 meters or more. Cesar Sauza, a nutritionist at Health Canal, shared with Travel + Leisure : "Our bodies can lose about 250 ml of water per hour. If this continues without proper hydration, it can lead to severe dehydration, especially on flights longer than 6 hours. When flying, you should avoid all sugary drinks, caffeine, or alcohol to limit dehydration. Plain water should be your choice to ensure your health."

But if you can't cut back on those drinks, try the ones Sauza suggests below.

Club Soda

According to Sauza, if you're really craving something fizzy, grab a can of club soda instead of traditional soda. "Most sodas have over 30 grams of sugar per can. Drinking a can or more on a flight can leave you feeling tired and dehydrated."

This view was also shared by representatives from the University of Chicago Medical School. Club soda is better than regular soft drinks. However, the clearest point is to avoid any carbonated drinks containing artificial sweeteners as well as those with added salt.

Choose white wine instead of red wine.

White wine is a suitable beverage to drink on an airplane. Photo: Winespectator — White wine is a suitable beverage to drink on an airplane. Photo: *Winespectator*

You can have a little wine, but make sure it's low-alcohol. "Red wine usually has a higher alcohol content and more added ingredients, both of which can dehydrate you on a flight. Therefore, white wine is a better choice. And of course, remember to limit your alcohol intake while flying."

Skip the mixed drinks (cocktails).

If you're flying to a special destination, it's a good idea to order a celebratory drink, like a cocktail. But Sauza suggests it's best to skip mixed drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic). "Skipping alcoholic drinks on a flight is the best way to help you feel comfortable. But if you plan on drinking alcohol, the best option is a clear liquor with ice or soda."

Mixed drinks can raise your blood alcohol level faster if they contain artificial sweeteners. According to a 2006 study, people who drank cocktails containing diet soda with artificial sweeteners had a blood alcohol level of 0.05% compared to 0.03% for others.

Skip the beer.

"Besides alcohol, beer also contains a lot of calories and carbohydrates, all of which contribute to jet lag and dehydration," Sauza says. So what's a good alternative? Just like with red wine, white wine can be a good substitute for beer.

"White wine is always a better choice than beer, especially on flights. If you've ever wondered about the alcohol content of white and red wines, or other beers and spirits, follow this advice on your next flight."

Try to avoid caffeine.

Many people can't live without caffeine, but according to Sauza, it's best to avoid it, especially on any time zone-changing flights, as it can affect your sleep and cause jet lag. If you want a hot drink, Sauza recommends ordering a decaffeinated, unsweetened tea.

Eat fruit

Eating fresh fruit is better than drinking fruit juice. Photo: Seatmaestro — Eating fresh fruit is better than drinking fruit juice. Photo: *Seatmaestro*

Fruit juice might seem like a healthy option, but as mentioned above, all the juices served on airplanes are bottled. "Even if they're 100% natural, a glass can contain the same amount of sugar as a can of soda. Instead, bring fresh fruit. It will also help keep you hydrated because fruit is high in water content."

Tam Anh (according to Travel + Leisure )

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