Why You Should Avoid Boozing at the Airport Before Your Holiday
BOOZING at the airport before your holiday should be avoided or you could run the risk of ruining your break, an expert has said.
Having that pre-flight drink is almost the best part of any vacation as it marks the moment you can kick back and relax.
The Dangers of Drinking Before Your Flight
Pre-Flight Beer and Its Effects on Sleep
There’s something about sitting in an airport bar having gone through customs knowing you don’t have work tomorrow that makes the beer taste better.
But some experts have poured water on that whether it is a good idea to have a drink at that point of your holiday at all.
Personal trainer Stephanie Billingham said that pre-flight drink is a fun tradition but flyers need to be smart and think about their entire holiday.
She told LAD Bible: “The first is that alcohol is a sedative and leads to you feeling lethargic in both your body and mind.
“While this is true at any time of day, if you have a drink in the evening it’s much more aligned with your circadian rhythm and won’t disrupt your sleep as much as starting at the crack of dawn.”
The Impact of Alcohol on Dehydration and Decision Making
Your circadian rhythm is your natural sleep pattern, so having a beer early in the morning or at a strange time of day could make you sleepy on arrival to your destination.
It will also mean you have poorer quality sleep, which in turn could mean you recover slower from jet lag.
Dr Kevin Huffman meanwhile said drinking pre-flight can make you feel more intoxicated than you are due to the pressurized cabin.
He said getting drunk faster could affect your decision-making ability in a high-stress situation on a flight.
Tips for Drinking Responsibly
Huffman said: “Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning that it increases urination and thus fluid loss.
“Paired with the already drier air of an aircraft at altitude, this is a recipe for rapid dehydration.
“Once dehydrated, you can expect to suffer from headaches, fatigue, and to experience jet lag more intensely upon arrival.”
Huffman didn’t rule out having drinks pre-flight, instead the doctor said flyers just needed to remember to drink lots of water.
Finding the Cheapest Pint at the Airport
Meanwhile, a study has revealed where Brits can find the cheapest pint before jetting off on holiday.
They don’t come cheap with most punters paying more at airports than they would at their local.
Luxury travel platform Velloy shared its “Airport Pint and Prosecco index” which looked at the average cost of a pint and glass of prosecco across the UK’s busiest airports.
Glasgow International took the number one spot, where the average price of a pint at the airport’s bars was the cheapest, but still came to a whopping £6.06.
Punters searching for the cheapest drink in the airport can order from Tennent’s Pier Bar which offers pints from £4.79.
Unsurprisingly, the most expensive pints could be found in London’s airports, with Luton, Heathrow, and London City taking the bottom three spots.
Exploring Wetherspoons Pubs at Gatwick Airport
I did a Wetherspoons pub crawl around Gatwick Airport – here’s the best one for a pre-flight pint
THE pre-flight pint is something of a tradition for British holidaymakers, no matter what time they’re at the airport.
Wetherspoons is arguably the most visited of the airport boozers, with bars in most of the country’s big travel hubs.
Included in that is Gatwick Airport, where there are no fewer than three Spoons pubs, spread out across its two terminals.
So I thought I’d pop along to the airport for a little Gatwick Wetherspoon pub crawl to find the best place to kill time with a pre-flight pint or two.
They’re pretty reliable with the quality of the service and food comparable to the typical Wetherspoons experience, so you know exactly what you’re getting.
My favorite of the three was the Flying Horse, with its more chilled atmosphere and calmer location a winner for a pre-flight drink.
Conclusion
One expert advised travelers to make sure they drink plenty of water if they plan on indulging in some pre-flight drinks to avoid the negative impacts of alcohol on their holiday. It’s essential to make smart choices and prioritize hydration to ensure a pleasant and enjoyable travel experience.