Traveling with a colostomy can feel a bit daunting, especially when you're planning a long journey that includes a 3-hour domestic flight from Florida to New York, followed by a 7-hour trans-Atlantic flight to Italy. If you're concerned about managing your colostomy bag during the flight, here are some practical tips and advice to help make your trip smoother and more comfortable.

1. Pre-flight preparation:
- Consider eating lightly or skipping a large meal before heading to the airport, and try to avoid fresh fruit.
- Make sure to empty your pouch right before boarding the plane.
- You might want to try a small dose of Imodium (loperamide) a few days before your trip to see if it helps slow down your output.
- Arrive at the airport early and consider using TSA’s Hidden Disability Sunflower lanyard or an ostomy travel card to make security checks easier. These cards can be printed from www.ostomy.com and can help you access restrooms even when the seat-belt sign is on.

2. Seat choice and in-flight strategy:
- Book an aisle seat close to a lavatory to minimize disruptions and make it easier to access the bathroom.
- Once on board, try to keep eating to a minimum and stay hydrated with water or low-residue drinks like Gatorade if you need electrolytes.
- Pack all essential ostomy supplies in your carry-on, including pouches, wipes, flanges, disposal bags, and spare clothing, in case your checked luggage is lost.
- Bring a small plastic squeeze bottle to fill with water in the lavatory sink, which can help rinse your pouch after emptying.
- If needed, use Imodium mid-flight to help slow down output.
- Be prepared to "burp" your pouch if you experience gas buildup due to cabin pressure, although many travelers report no issues with this.

3. Bathroom logistics on the aircraft:
- It is possible to empty or even change your pouch in the airplane lavatory, though the space is tight.
- Plan to empty your pouch every 3-4 hours on long flights. Some travelers have needed to empty 4-5 times on a 13-hour flight, so planning for an aisle seat can help minimize disruptions.

4. Extra comfort and odor control:
- Consider using silica gel packets in your pouch to absorb excess liquid and reduce odor. These are available from Convatec or can be bought in bulk online.
- Carry two "I need the toilet" cards—one for flying and one for public restrooms—to help you skip long queues at airport bathrooms during connections.

5. General reassurance:
- Many travelers with ileostomies and colostomies have successfully flown long routes, such as U.S.-Europe, U.S.-Hawaii, and U.S.-Norway, without major issues when following these steps.
- Try to relax and enjoy your trip; most people find that their worries are worse than the actual experience.