The average age of the cabin crew is 42.9 years, perhaps
a reflection of the recruitment policy of the airline. It is
mirrored in the relatively high length of service (14.7
years) for the crew questioned. 17.3% cabin crew were
of supervisory status. Hypertension, CAD and Diabetes
mellitus were the most common chronic diseases
encountered in the survey, often multiple disabilities
existing in individuals. 40.9% of the cabin crew were aware
of jet lag, whereas 91.1% reported symptoms of jet lag.
Approximately twice as many, found travelling on the
Far Eastern route more taxing than flying West. The most
difficult flights were the continuous short haul night
flights, perhaps due to lack of quality sleep. Coping
mechanisms included use of alcohol or drugs (anxiolytics)
to induce sleep, often in combination. Individual coping
strategies included exercise at the layover hotel or forced
sleep, to combat jet lag.
Almost everyone on a long flight suffers jet lag to some
degree. A 1994 survey of New Zealand based
international flight attendants showed a similar result,
with 96% of respondents saying they suffered from jet
lag despite being accustomed to long haul travel.
Specifically 90% suffered from tiredness after arrival, 94%
experienced loss of energy and motivation and 93%
reported broken sleep after arrival (2). The length of the
flight is not the critical issue; the most important single
factor is how many time zones are crossed. Generally,
people have more difficulty adjusting to travel from west
to east than from east to west. This is attributed to average
natural circadian rhythm cycles of 24-26 hours. Eastward
travel actually compresses days into shorter periods,
taking a person even further from their natural cycle. In
contrast, westward travel actually expands days to
approximate the internal cycle more closely