Travel media Press Release

'Retired Flight Attendant still caring for passengers well being'

Helping air passengers arrive at their destination refreshed and rejuvenated has become a serious business for New Zealander Jill Gardner, who has spent over 30 years in the travel industry including a career as a flight attendant.

Through her website Travelcomfortable.com, Jill has established a very successful online shop of specialised products for ‘wellness’ while in the air and travel in general, complementing a worldwide trend for travellers to incorporate relaxation in their travels.

“With my industry background I am very aware of the negative effects of flying while confined to a small space for many hours, and in an artificial environment. Long haul flights are also becoming longer, with some services now flying over 14 hours,” said Gardner.

Confined seat space, fatiguing cabin noise and close proximity with other passengers call for products and remedies that make the journey more comfortable and healthful, she said. “Airlines do a great job getting passengers safely from A to B, but it is ultimately up to the individual to take care of their own health, comfort and well-being.”

Since starting two years ago, the Travelcomfortable.com ‘sky shop’ now lists over 70 products and a large number of sales are from overseas customers, elated to find such a choice of travel product at a one-stop shop. Items include motion sickness remedies and a versatile garment for travellers and mums with toddlers that is worn as a multiple-pocketed vest or used as a carry bag. The website even has a free gift wrapping service.

 “With my own travel experiences, aviation medicine knowledge and passengers feedback, I have gathered some useful tips on what travel accessories people want and need to make their trip a more memorable experience, both during the flight and beyond.”

Amongst the most popular cabin remedies are customised amenity kits featuring the ‘Caire’ travel essentials range of products made of pure, natural ingredients that have been designed specifically for air-conditioned environments. These products, which refresh and re-hydrate your skin, have been tested and approved by airline staff. They are manufactured here in New Zealand by a company called Air Natural Science Labs which supplies a number of airlines with its products for amenity kits provided to their long haul First and Business Class passengers.
Also popular is a homeopathic remedy called No Jet Lag, recommended by airline cabin staff and frequent flyers. “These remedies are one of my biggest sellers. They are made in Wellington and people just can’t get enough of them,” said Gardner.

Among the other products for passenger comfort, such as specially designed neck pillows (with a range of luxury fur covers), and a Flik Flak foot stool, an exercise device to avoid the dangers of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), are sets of quality noise-reduction headphones.

“The incessant drone of aircraft noise is fatiguing and contributes a lot towards jet lag,” said Gardner.  “These incredible headphones use battery-powered technology to cut out ambient noise and make listening to music and watching movies so much easier and pleasurable.”

Also designed for cabin comfort are the Q-Zone Ear Plugs with interchangeable attenuation filters. These small but effective plugs are perfect for shutting out unwanted cabin noise.

Email me if you have a query   jill@travelcomfortable.com

The 'Highlight' of my flying career

"During my years as a Flight Attendant I experienced many memorable moments but the highlight would have to be when I was selected as the Purser on the Papal flight, thus being  Pope John Paul 's personal assistant on the flight from Christchurch to Canberra - November 1986."