Virgin America Will Fix Your Headache

Contributing Editor Carl Unger believes that every trip is worth taking. He loves an extended trip to Europe as much as he enjoys exploring the towns and landscape near home. Basically, you'll find him wherever there is good food, fresh air, and plenty of stories to bring home.

Carl has been writing for SmarterTravel since 2005. His travel writing has also appeared on USA Today and the About.com Boston travel guide.

The Handy Item I Always Pack: "It's not revolutionary, but a small Moleskine notebook is my one travel must-have. It's great for noting things you want to remember and it takes up hardly any space in your bag."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: "Japan. I'd love to take a month off and visit the cities, temples, and countryside. I'm fascinated by the country's juxtaposition of ancient traditions and modern ambitions."

Travel Motto: “Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.” –Terry Pratchett

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: "Window."

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Virgin America has trumpeted its second anniversary by launching a revamped version of Red, its in-flight services portal that connects passengers to movies, games, music, and in-flight food. There are some appealing upgrades, including a muffaletta sandwich and a number of animated short films from Pixar. But what caught my attention is Virgin’s new line of Help Remedies, which are packets of over-the-counter medicine for common ailments such as headaches, stomachaches, and trouble sleeping. Each packet costs $4 and contains 16 pills.

As a chronic headache sufferer myself, I’d pay almost anything to cure a mid-flight whopper if I didn’t have Advil with me. At $4 for 16 pills, you’re certainly paying a premium, but it seems like a fair premium for the convenience. All in all it’s a thoughtful perk, one I’m surprised hasn’t been offered before by other airlines.

Just don’t take your Help Remedy with an absinthe cocktail—unless, in your case, part of the joy of traveling is not knowing where you are when you land.

What do you think about airlines selling over-the-counter meds? What’s a fair price to charge a passenger with a throbbing brain or cartwheeling stomach? Leave a comment below with your thoughts.

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