Air Travel
Air travel is a form of travel in vehicles such as airplanes, jet aircraft, helicopters, hot air balloons, blimps, gliders, hang gliders, parachutes, or anything else that can sustain flight. The use of air travel has greatly increased in recent decades. Modern air travel is much safer than road travel.
Air travel can be separated into two general classifications: national/domestic and international flights. Flights from one point to another within the same country are called domestic flights. Flights from a point in one country to a point within a different country are known as international flights. Travelers can use domestic or international flights in either private or public travel.
Travel class on an airplane is usually split into a two, three, or four class model service. U.S. domestic flights usually have two classes: economy class and domestic first-class partitioned into cabins. International flights may have up to four classes: economy class; premium economy; business class or club class; and first-class.
Most air travel starts and ends at a commercial airport. The typical procedure is check-in; border control; airport security baggage and passenger check before entering the gate; boarding; flying; and pick-up of luggage and – limited to international flights – another border control at the host country's border.
Air travel can be separated into two general classifications: national/domestic and international flights. Flights from one point to another within the same country are called domestic flights. Flights from a point in one country to a point within a different country are known as international flights. Travelers can use domestic or international flights in either private or public travel.
Travel class on an airplane is usually split into a two, three, or four class model service. U.S. domestic flights usually have two classes: economy class and domestic first-class partitioned into cabins. International flights may have up to four classes: economy class; premium economy; business class or club class; and first-class.
Most air travel starts and ends at a commercial airport. The typical procedure is check-in; border control; airport security baggage and passenger check before entering the gate; boarding; flying; and pick-up of luggage and – limited to international flights – another border control at the host country's border.
Safety
Health hazards of air travel
During the flight, the aircraft cabin pressure is usually maintained at the equivalent of 8,000 ft above sea level.
A number of possible health hazards of air travel have been investigated.
During the flight, the aircraft cabin pressure is usually maintained at the equivalent of 8,000 ft above sea level.
A number of possible health hazards of air travel have been investigated.
- Infection - On an airplane, people sit in a confined space for extended periods of time, which increases the risk of transmission of airborne infections.
- Deep vein thrombosis - Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is the third most common vascular disease next to stroke and heart attack.
- Radiation exposure - Flying 12km (41,000FT) high, passengers and crews of jet airliners are exposed to at least 10 times the cosmic ray dose that people at sea level receive.
- Other possible hazards of air travel that have been investigated include airsickness and chemical contamination of cabin air.
- In pregnancy - In low-risk pregnancies, most health care providers approve flying until about 36 weeks of gestational age. Most airlines allow pregnant women to fly short distances at less than 36 weeks, and long distances at less than 32 weeks. Many airlines require a doctor's note that approves flying, especially at over 28 weeks.