Holiday Travel Health: Planes, Food, and Flu Season

The holidays are the year's biggest travel surge: AAA projected a record 81.8 million Americans would travel over Thanksgiving 2025, and TSA screened 3,133,924 people on the Sunday after, the most in its history. Most holiday health problems are predictable. Crowded flights, shared holiday food, and a flu season that the CDC says most often peaks between December and February all arrive in the same few weeks. As a physician-founded travel health team, we think the best holiday plan is a simple one: protect yourself on the plane, handle food with care, respect flu season, and know when to get help.

Last updated October 27, 2026. By The Wandr Team.

Crowded Planes: Peak Days, Full Flights, and Family Travel

Holiday air travel concentrates millions of people into a handful of days. AAA expected about 6 million Americans to fly over the Thanksgiving travel period last year, and TSA's busiest day on record was the Sunday after the holiday.

The CDC notes that the close proximity of passengers increases the risk of person-to-person spread of illness. On a full holiday flight, a few habits do most of the work:

• Clean hands: The CDC recommends washing with soap and water, or using a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol when soap is not available. Do it after security and before you eat.
• Hydration: Carry an empty bottle through security and refill it at the gate.
• Movement: The CDC says anyone traveling more than 4 hours can be at risk for blood clots, and recommends walking around every 1 to 2 hours.

Traveling with kids and older relatives. The CDC lists adults 65 and older and young children, especially those under 2, among the groups at higher risk of serious flu complications. Pack everyone's regular medications in the carry-on, and build in extra time so no one rushes through a packed terminal.

If you feel sick mid-flight, tell a flight attendant. The CDC notes that flight attendants are trained in basic first aid and that airlines carry required medical supplies. Cover coughs and arrange care after landing if symptoms are severe.

For the fundamentals of in-flight illness, see our guide on how to not get sick on a plane.

Holiday Food: Buffets, Potlucks, and Traveler's Diarrhea

Buffets and potlucks often leave food sitting out for long stretches. The CDC's guidance is straightforward: never leave perishable food out for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour if it is exposed to temperatures above 90°F. The CDC also lists 165°F as the safe internal temperature for poultry and leftovers, and recommends washing hands for at least 20 seconds before eating.

If you are traveling internationally, the CDC calls traveler's diarrhea the most common travel-related illness, with higher risk in destinations including Mexico, Central and South America, Africa, the Middle East, and much of Asia.

What it looks like. According to the CDC Yellow Book, symptoms usually come on suddenly and range from mild cramps and urgent loose stools to severe abdominal pain, fever, vomiting, or bloody diarrhea. Untreated bacterial cases usually last 3 to 7 days, and viral cases 2 to 3 days.

The general steps. Replacing fluids comes first. The CDC calls fluid replacement key, especially for young children, older adults, and people with chronic medical conditions, and notes that oral rehydration solution can be used for more serious cases. For children, the CDC advises getting medical attention immediately for signs of dehydration, fever, or bloody stools.

Our guide to food and water safety for travelers covers what to eat and drink abroad in more detail.

Flu Season: Why Winter Travel Spreads Respiratory Illness

According to the CDC, flu season in the United States usually runs through fall and winter, and activity most often peaks between December and February. Holiday travel lands right in that window.

The CDC's prevention basics apply here: wash your hands often, avoid close contact with people who are sick, and do not travel if you have flu-like symptoms. The CDC lists masks among the additional prevention strategies people can choose. On a full flight, wearing one is a reasonable personal choice, particularly if you or someone you are visiting is at higher risk.

A note on flu vaccination. The CDC recommends getting a flu vaccine at least 2 weeks before travel. Wandr does not provide flu vaccination, so talk to your own clinician about whether and when to get one.

A Simple Holiday Prep Timeline

Two weeks before

• Run a destination check for your trip.
• Get your prescriptions sorted: refill daily medications with a few days' buffer and arrange anything trip-specific. Wandr offers online visits, with prescriptions sent to your local pharmacy.
• If you plan to get a flu vaccine, talk to your clinician now.
• Pack a small health kit: hand sanitizer, a refillable water bottle, masks if you want them, oral rehydration packets, and your regular medications.

The day before

• Get a full night of rest and stay well hydrated.
• Confirm your flights and airport timing.
• Ask your hosts whether anyone is sick, especially if babies or older relatives will be there.

Travel day

• Clean your hands after security and before eating.
• Drink water, limit alcohol, and walk every 1 to 2 hours on longer flights.
• If you develop flu-like symptoms, follow the CDC's advice and delay travel.

When to Seek Care

Most holiday illnesses are mild, but some symptoms should not wait. This is general guidance, not a diagnosis.

• Urgent care: Seek prompt care for symptoms that are getting worse or not improving, diarrhea with fever or blood, or signs of dehydration.
• Emergency care: Call 911 or go to an emergency department for emergency warning signs. For adults, the CDC lists difficulty breathing, persistent chest or abdominal pain or pressure, persistent dizziness or confusion, seizures, and not urinating. For children, it adds fast breathing or trouble breathing, bluish lips or face, and not being alert or interacting when awake.
• After you return: If you feel sick after a trip, the CDC advises telling a healthcare provider where you traveled.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I fly if I have flu symptoms? No. The CDC advises against traveling with flu-like symptoms and recommends delaying travel until you are no longer thought to be contagious.

How long can holiday food sit out safely? The CDC says perishable food should not sit out for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F. After that, refrigerate it or throw it away.

Does Wandr provide flu shots? No. Wandr provides online visits and prescriptions sent to your local pharmacy. Talk to your own clinician about flu vaccination, ideally at least 2 weeks before travel, as the CDC recommends.

Before You Go

Planning a holiday trip? Wandr's destination check shows what your trip may call for.

This article is for general educational purposes and does not replace individualized medical advice. Our clinical team reviews your health history and travel plans during your Wandr visit before prescribing any medication.

Sources

• AAA, "Nearly 82 Million Americans Projected to Travel over Thanksgiving" (November 2025). https://newsroom.aaa.com/2025/11/aaa-thanksgiving-travel-forecast-2025/
• Airlines for America, "A4A Applauds TSA for Record Thanksgiving" (December 3, 2025). https://airlines.org/a4a-applauds-tsa-for-record-thanksgiving/
• CDC Yellow Book, "Air Travel." https://www.cdc.gov/yellow-book/hcp/travel-air-sea/air-travel.html
• CDC, "Understanding Your Risk for Blood Clots with Travel." https://www.cdc.gov/blood-clots/risk-factors/travel.html
• CDC, "People at Increased Risk for Flu Complications." https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/index.htm
• CDC, "Flu Prevention: Information for Travelers." https://www.cdc.gov/flu/travelersfacts/index.html
• CDC, "Flu Season." https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season.html
• CDC, "Signs and Symptoms of Flu." https://www.cdc.gov/flu/signs-symptoms/index.html
• CDC, "Preventing Respiratory Illnesses." https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/index.html
• CDC, "Preventing Food Poisoning." https://www.cdc.gov/food-safety/prevention/index.html
• CDC Travelers' Health, "Travelers' Diarrhea." https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/travelers-diarrhea
• CDC Yellow Book, "Travelers' Diarrhea." https://www.cdc.gov/yellow-book/hcp/preparing-international-travelers/travelers-diarrhea.html
• CDC Travelers' Health, "Traveling with Children." https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/children