Inflight wellbeing companies emerge to give your weary mind and body a reprieve

Let’s face it – long-haul, economy-class travel can be brutal. Passengers suffer any number of indignities and exasperations in the back of the plane.

But some of the physical repercussions of lengthy flights – dehydration, dry eyes, leg pain and, if you’re like me, swollen feet – are a particular nuisance if you don’t have time to recuperate (or even shower!) before running straight into meetings upon landing.

It’s little wonder, then, why the inflight wellbeing market is starting to gain the attention of airlines. Below are four companies working to help make your mind and body feel better in-flight.

CALM DOWN WITH YOCALM

A company called Yocalm plans to formally launch a “Pure Inflight Relaxation & Wellbeing” IFE channel for audio/video on demand systems at the APEX EXPO on 17-20 September in Long Beach, California.

Yocalm boasts a team of five experts, including a spiritual life coach, a music producer, a doctor, a Yoga guru and a fitness and wellbeing specialist, whose talents are behind Yocalm’s original content.

“We create captivating ambient programming and In-flight wellbeing workouts, complete with the pure relaxing sounds of award winning music and nature,” says managing director Jamie Newland. He believes airlines should encourage passengers to consider their inflight wellbeing, and says it’s especially important “to do on long-distance flights”. A Yocalm promotional photo is pictured here.

EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO AN INFLIGHT WORKOUT

Sitting in an economy-class seat might not be an ideal position for exercising but Uplifted is not deterred by these limitations. The company’s founder, Sally Dollas, says she has created “movement experiences in the form of an inflight workout”.

The 20-30 minute workouts are based on Pilates, Tai Chi, Qigong, Yoga, and strength-based exercises from the gym. Uplifted offers its exercises via two products – a brochure that fits perfectly on the back of a tray table, and through video presentation for viewing on IFE.

“Our plan for this year is to prepare for the APEX EXPO and launch the product there because we feel this is a unique concept in terms of ideas,” says Dollas.

NOT ON TERRA FIRMA? TRY TERRA MAXIMA

Offering everything from a hydrating eye mask to facial spritzer, Terra Maxima has launched a line of products that focus exclusively on travel wellbeing.

“We address head to toe travel symptoms that the majority of air travellers are affected by when flying, such as dry eyes, swollen feet, increased level of radiation, hydration in a humidity of below 20% as well as a traveller’s increased exposure to germs and dirt,” says founder Nicolette Kuba, who anticipates offering it on board aircraft as part of airlines’ Duty Free sales programmes and at the airport.

Travellers can also order the products online. Kuba says the line goes far beyond traditional skincare.

“Our products are extremely user friendly: ultra-light, they fit any purse or pocket, come in refillable or single dosages, are designed for use in cramped spaces and limited (or no) access to water,” says the firm.

GET HYDRATED

Flyhidrate, the New Zealand-based company that created a three-beverage, inflight wellbeing system, has officially made its debut.

The drinks, which have been strategically flavoured with juices high in antioxidants to mask the underlying functional ingredients, can now be found at Relay stores located after customs at Auckland’s international terminal.

Flyhidrate works to mitigate the common physical challenges associated with flying – including dehydration, radiation exposure and poor circulation.

The company says its products will “soon be released internationally”.