Whether you are about to embark on a seven-hour trip across the pond to Europe or simply embark on the nearly 19-hour odyssey from New York City to Singapore, a long-haul flight can be quite tedious and exhausting.
The nuisances of time-consuming air travel can widely range in severity: from mildly inconvenient (like having annoying seatmates, for instance) to the downright dangerous (developing a blood clot on a plane). To make the journey a bit more bearable, you should maintain your typical routine, stay as hydrated as you can, wear loose clothing, and make sure you pack an extra snack or two.
Book your flight early for the best seats
The earlier you book, the higher your chances of scoring your favorite seat. Whether you choose to stay by the window to admire the cloudy scenery or at the aisle to have easier access to the bathroom, make sure you book them ahead of time.
Consider a seat in the back of the plane
Your favorite site isn’t exactly in the back of the plane. It can get quite noisy back there, it generally offers little to no legroom, and it implies you are the last off the plane when it lands. But there are some perks when it comes to choosing a back seat.
For example, if you are flying with an airline such as Southwest that doesn’t have assigned seats, you might get luckier claiming a row to yourself or at least an empty seat next to you in the back. Also, being in the back means you can see which rows don’t fill up ahead of you; you can claim one of the emptier ones after everyone else is seated.
Use airline miles to upgrade
You will thank yourself when you are sipping Champagne while also reclining in the first class, right after using miles to upgrade your seat. If you don’t have any miles, this could be the right time to splurge for a better first- or even business-class seat. In fact, even upgrading to premium economy might give you priority check-in, extra legroom, and much more comfortable seats.
Angle for a free upgrade
You can arrive early, dress as nicely as you can, travel alone, and maybe put on your most winning smile for the best chance at a successful trip. Your odds of scoring a last-minute upgrade are definitely increasing if you have elite status with the airline. Also, make sure you carefully time when you ask for a flight update, to increase all your odds too.
Adjust your sleep pattern before your flight
A few days before your flight, try to adjust your sleep patterns (either a few 4 a.m. or 7 p.m. bedtimes should do it, depending on exactly what time of the day you will be traveling. If your flight is during the daytime, make sure you are well-rested before flying.
If it’s a red-eye, arrive at the airport tired. Trust us with this: staying awake for 24 hours before your trip to balance out jet lag won’t work.
Dress accordingly
Try to keep it loose and comfortable, and remember to always bring layers for when it gets cold. For instance, a cardigan or zip-up sweatshirt is definitely good to have with you, especially since you can easily put it on or take it off, depending on the cabin temperature.
Clothes with a bit of stretch, such as men’s sweatpants or women’s leggings can definitely help you move around more comfortably.
De-stress before you board
The last thing you want is to spend your whole flight buzzing about all the things you need to do or what you might have forgotten. Make sure you carve some time before the trip to sit down with a nice breakfast by your side.
Go to the gym, read something, and go for a walk. It’s very important to relax before it’s time to fly.
Check-in early
Probably the worst start to a very long journey is to panic your way through a busy airport, even arrive at the gate all sweaty and frazzled, or miss your flight. Make sure you arrive at the airport with enough time ahead to check any bags and make your way through security.
Don’t overpack your personal item
You might need more for a long-haul flight than you would for a short one. However, this doesn’t mean it’s a proper idea to overfill your bag with unnecessary extras. Try to keep only the essentials in your personal items, so they are always easy to find and within your reach.
Bring your pillow
A travel pillow is a necessary staple carry-on, especially for long-distance travelers. In fact, almost every airport sells them, and looking a bit ridiculous with one around your neck is really a small price to pay for arriving at your destination without a crick. Make sure you pay enough attention to your airline’s restrictions, to make sure it doesn’t have to be packed inside your personal item.
Wear noise-canceling headphones
Noise-canceling headphones will help block out annoying airplane clatter and loud passengers, so you can efficiently zone out with a riveting podcast or even a favorite playlist. If you don’t have any headphones, at least use a pair of old-fashioned earplugs.
Buckle your seat belt over your blanket
If you want to sleep with a blanket during your flight, at least make sure your seat belt is still visible. In case of turbulence, the seat belt light will turn on, and flight attendants could come around the cabin to check that everyone is buckled up. If they can’t spot your seat belt, they might wake you up. For safety reasons and to avoid “airplane ear”, just don’t sleep through the takeoff or landing.
Pack an eye mask
Having an eye mask with you is particularly helpful if you are flying during the day, or if you simply want to catch some shut-eye before the cabin lights are fully dimmed. Moreover, it’s often an airline freebie in basic amenity kits on international flights. In fact, it even applies to the economic class, but generally, not so much to the domestic ones.
Relax
You should do whatever it takes, whether it’s meditating, listening to calming music, or simply practicing some breathing exercises. Not only will it help you sleep more easily, but it’s also beneficial for your psyche, especially if flying makes you a bit agitated.
Bring a travel blanket, not a usual one
Refrain from taking something too thick with you. After all, it should fit in your carry-on! However, make sure your travel blanket is just enough to keep you warm when the plane’s air conditioning is going full blast.
Charge your electronic devices
Well, the last thing you need is for your iPad to run out of juice only one hour into an 11-hour flight. This is particularly true if your in-flight entertainment system isn’t properly working. Make sure you keep your charging cables and a power bank close at hand.
Load up on podcasts
Listening to podcasts definitely requires less battery life than watching a movie, and they can generally be more entertaining than music. You can also get through an entire flight only on podcasts.
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