Why Airplane Seats Come With Airsickness Bags
When you take a seat on an airplane, you might notice a small, paper bag tucked away in the pocket of the seat in front of you. This is an airsickness bag, or commonly referred to as a barf bag. But why are these bags necessary? In this post, we will explore why airplanes provide these bags and the history behind them.
A Brief History of Airsickness
Airsickness, also known as motion sickness, is an issue that has plagued travelers for centuries. As early as the 16th century, it was noted in texts that people suffered nausea and vomiting while sailing on the seas. Eventually, airplane travel posed the same problem, and the need for a solution arose. The motion sickness bag, also known as an airplane vomit bag, was invented to help combat this issue.
The motion sickness bag was originally created in the 1920s when air travel first began. It was made of waxed paper and designed with an inner pocket to contain messes and a string to tie around the wrist or neck of the user. While these bags were effective, they could not be reused and were very costly to produce. As such, airlines needed to find a better solution.
Today, the motion sickness bag has been modernized. It is made from plastic and is designed with a tie-string closure to prevent any messes from leaking out. Airlines now typically provide a single bag for each passenger on board and most of them are recyclable (if not make sure to wipe it down). This has helped to reduce costs for airlines and provide a more convenient solution for passengers who suffer from airsickness.
The Invention of The Airsickness Bag
The airplane vomit bag was first invented in 1936 by a company called Garrett AiResearch. This company manufactured components for airplanes and the design of their bag was modeled after the paper bags that were commonly used by sailors who suffered from seasickness. It was designed with a tube attached to the bag so that the passenger could expel any excess air while vomiting.
In the early days, the air sickness bag was simply a brown paper bag with a tube attached to the top and a small pocket on the side to store it when not in use. The first bags were printed with instructions on how to use them and were available to passengers on request. However, as airplane travel became more popular, the demand for these bags grew. This led to the invention of plastic versions that were more durable and less prone to tearing. Today, most airlines provide their passengers with sick bags in the seat pockets or at the back of the cabin.
How Do Airsickness Bags Work?
Airsickness bags, also known as airplane vomit bags, are designed to contain and contain bodily fluids in the event of an air traveler feeling nauseous or vomiting during a flight. The bags usually have a small opening that is placed close to the traveler’s mouth to prevent any spills. The bag itself is made of a lightweight material, typically plastic, with a thin liner inside that absorbs the fluids.
The bags are designed to be leak-proof so that the contents can be disposed of easily and without causing any mess. Some airlines may provide a receptacle at the seat for the bag to be disposed of, but other airlines will require passengers to dispose of the bag in a restroom. In either case, it is important to make sure that the bag is securely closed before disposal.
How Are Airsickness Bags Used Today?
Airsickness bags are still widely used in airplanes today and are one of the most common safety features. They are designed to contain any vomit or other bodily fluids from passengers who may become ill during a flight. Airsickness bags are placed in seat pockets, usually with a tissue packet, to ensure passengers have quick access to them if needed.
In the event that a passenger does become sick, they can use the airsickness bag and dispose of it in the special receptacle located at the end of the aisle. Airlines also typically provide an option to purchase disposal bags or bags with an odor-absorbing lining that can be used when disposing of an airsickness bag.
Airsickness bags have also been incorporated into flight safety training, as they can provide a useful way to demonstrate the importance of a secure seating environment. In some cases, they can also be used to help passengers prepare for a flight by familiarizing themselves with the procedure of using an airsickness bag in case of sickness.
The presence of airsickness bags in planes has remained constant over the years, ensuring passengers have quick and easy access to this important safety feature.
What Are Other Names For Airsickness Bags?
In addition to being known as “air sickness bags” or “barf bags,” airsickness bags also go by a few other names. Common terms for the bag include “upchuck bag”, “puke pouch”, “emesis bag”, “motion sickness bag”, and “vomit bag”. Some airlines even use cute names such as “hurl hat” or “queasiness envelope”.
No matter what you call it, this handy little plastic bag can be a real lifesaver when turbulence strikes or you encounter a sick passenger. While no one likes to think about vomiting on an airplane, it is important to know that these bags exist so that passengers have an effective and discreet way to cope with motion sickness during a flight.
Do Airlines Reuse Airsickness Bags?
The answer to this question is a definite “no” – airlines do not reuse airsickness bags. As soon as an airsickness bag is used, it is disposed of and replaced with a new one. This is for obvious hygienic reasons, as you would not want to use a bag that had been filled with someone else’s vomit!
It’s important for airlines to maintain a high standard of hygiene, so there’s no reuse of these bags. All unused airsickness bags are also replaced at the end of each flight, so that all passengers can be assured of a clean and fresh bag should they need it during the flight.
Airsickness bags are often made from paper, which is easily recyclable, but unfortunately, most airlines don’t have the facility to do this. Therefore, any used bags are simply thrown away in the trash. So, if you do have to use an airsickness bag on an airplane, be sure to dispose of it responsibly by putting it in the designated bins provided.
The Bottom Line
The air sickness bag has been around for over a century, and it is an essential part of any airplane journey. Not only do they serve their intended purpose as a receptacle for vomit in case of airsickness, but they can also be used to dispose of trash during the flight. As they are small, discreet and sanitary, they can be easily carried in hand luggage or even in pockets. And while many airlines will replace the bag after each use, some do choose to reuse them. So, the next time you fly, make sure you have your barf bag ready and accessible!
