Expert: Roberto Gomes - 7/8/2008

Question
QUESTION: My husband and myself[71 & 69] are planning a long haul trip from Australia to London and return.
We are wondering whether it is better healthwise to fly direct or have a 2-3 day stopover on the way. Are there benefits in stopovers?
We are generally in good health although I am an asthmatic.

ANSWER: Dear Shelley,

This flight is particularly long (22:45 to 23:25 hours depending on the aircraft) with one stop in Bangkok or Singapore.

If your agenda permits, I'll advise you to stop on the way. You can visit two beautiful cities - in each direction - which in the end always add something of value.

As far as documentation is concern, for Singapore visa is not required for holders of Australian passport, provided obtaining a Social Visit Pass free of charge on arrival for a stay up to 30 days.

For Bangkok on touristic purposes, visa is not required for a maximum stay of 30 days.

For both cities Yellow Fever vaccination is not required. However, Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for Bangkok.

As far as your health condition, a stable asthma is not usually a problem, as long as you take your inhalers with you.

Hope this helps. If you need any additional information please let me know.

Enjoy your trip and please rate this answer.

Best Regards,
R. Gomes

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Do 2 -3 day stopovers on the long haul flight lessen jet lag on arrival at destination?

Answer
Dear Shelley,

The experience of jet lag varies among individuals, it is difficult to assess the efficacy of any single remedy. Age may also be a factor on the severity of jet lag, as younger people will suffer worse jet lag than older people would.

There seems to be some evidence that traveling west to east (which you will face on your return flight) is the more disruptive. This may be because flights to the east run counter to the circadian rhythm. Most people have a circadian period which is a bit longer than 24 hours, making it easier to stay up later than to get up earlier.

West-to-east trips may require 1 day of recovery for each time zone crossed. East-to-west journeys may require 1 day of recovery for each one and a half time zones crossed. For example, when you cross 3 time zones flying east, it might take 3 days to recover, but when you fly west, it may take no more than 2 days for your body to catch up.

The adjustment can be eased by breaking up a long journey with a stopover, which is highly recommended, whenever possible.

Best Regards,
R. Gomes