While flying remains one of the safest methods of transportation, there are still plenty of risks associated with getting into a small metal tin and being hurled across the sky at breakneck speeds. One of the most underrated dangers that many do not take into account is that the changes in pressure can cause your body to react quite negatively and cause you to develop blood clots, which, while dangerous by themselves, are especially deadly when you are a few thousand feet in the air and without access to prompt medical treatment.
While in the beginning of air travel it was common to wear fancy clothes to the airport, in recent years it has become more and more acceptable and even expected to travel in athletic wear. That, on principle, is a good idea, except that a lot of the most popular garments in this category nowadays are tight fitting clothing, and that is a big no-no aboard a plane.
The vision is clear, going on vacation, running around the airport in your latest fitted pair of athleisure clothes designed to make you look your best, with massive sunglasses and an overpriced coffee obtained inside security looking for your gate. It is quite romantic, really, but as experts explain, that is the worst thing you can probably wear to get up in the air, as it has the highest probability of giving you a blood clot without you even noticing.
Clothes that are and are not suitable to be worn in a flight to prevent blood clots
While this conversation is relevant no matter where you are going, it becomes especially relevant if you are traveling more than a couple of hours away and crucial if you are flying overnight. Tight pants of any category, but especially skinny jeans and tight leggings are unsuitable for air travel. They can seem like the more convenient option, especially the jeans if you have plans right after your flight, but it is better to hold off and change upon arrival than to risk having a medical emergency.
Tight clothing can affect blood circulation, especially if you are sitting for long periods of time in uncomfortable positions, which sums up air travel nowadays. Now, if you have a health condition that requires you to wear compression clothing, like deep vein thrombosis or other cardio vascular diseases, consult with your doctor what you should do during a flight, but it is still not the same to war full compression socks or tights than to wear random clothing that just cuts circulation awkwardly at your ankles or at your waist.
Do also bear in mind that the risk increases with age, if you take the contraceptive pill or other medications that affect blood flow or of you smoke, so if you belong to any oth those demographics be especially careful.
The type of material that you wear can also play a role in how likely you are to develop a blood clot. For a better flight experience you will want to consider wearing loose, breathable clothing, preferably made from natural fibers like cotton, linen or wool that will allow for better temperature regulation and comfort, but if that is not an option, choose higher quality polyester fabrics that have these same qualities.
Having said that, Christine Negroni, an aviation safety specialist, warns against the use of synthetic materials, common in sportswear and leggings. These fabrics, when exposed to high temperatures, can melt and stick to the skin, causing severe burns in the event of a fire on board. This is not very likely, but better safe than sorry in this case to avoid unpleasant surprises