Weekend Engagement - Vomitted On A Flight

What is the worst flight you've ever had and why?

These days, it seems like there are more news about air turbulence incidents for flights. While I don't take that many flights on a yearly basis, it still does make me wonder if I should reduce the number of flights I take within a year.

Recently, just in May, I took a trip to Japan and the flight back felt more bumpy than usual. Is it really due to climate change or is it just mental bias on my part? I am not sure though, but air crew these days are indeed more strict about getting passengers to put on their seat belts and staying in the seats when the sign is on.

As for my worst flight, it was hard to think of one because every flight has its ups and downs (oops lol) and I couldn't really pinpoint if my worst flight was due to service or food or even turbulence. I really went back in history all the way to 2009 when I had to take a long plane ride from Singapore to Queretaro (Mexico), transiting in Tokyo (Japan) and Houston (US). For those who were old enough, there was an outbreak on H1N1 swine flu during that time and the university actually provided us N95 masks for our use. So I did put on my N95 mask tightly on my flight from Singapore to Tokyo.

Midway through the flight, it just felt uncomfortable and I had some slight difficulty breathing because I probably wore my mask too tightly. But fearing the consequences of taking off my mask, I tried to "persevere" but I started feeling uncomfortable and nauseous as well. And long story short, I had to rush to my toilet and vomitted in there.

I guessed it was probably a combination of various factors. From the tightly worn mask, to the lack of rest (it was an early morning flight and I stayed overnight at the airport), to air turbulence, and perhaps I was also nervous because it was my first flight in almost a decade.

These days I keep myself hydrated, and equip myself with motion sickness pills, and sweets to suck on whenever I go on flights and fingers crossed, I haven't vomitted on flights since. :)

Some beautiful photos on my flight to Mexico back in 2009. Pardon the quality because cameras were not so great back in those days but I enjoyed the view thoroughly from my window seat.