A long domestic or international flight can often ruin what should be a pleasant vacation or business trip. These guidelines can help you and your travel companions make the necessary flight time as comfortable and less hassle as possible.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Part 1: Before Boarding
Step 1. Book a good seat
Even within the same class and fare, some seats are far superior to others. Choose an aisle seat or next to the emergency exit if you want legroom, or a window seat if you want to sleep. Try to avoid the seats near the toilets / toilets, as other passengers will access them all the time. There are usually lines of people on long-haul flights, and those walking to or from the restrooms can bump into your seat. Also note that the noise and light that comes out when opening the door can disturb you, especially when trying to sleep.
In any case, remember not to choose a seat next to the emergency exit if you have a baby or small child with you
Step 2. If you are going to try to sleep, leave prepared
Bring a travel pillow or headrest with you, and try to avoid using an inflatable one.
Step 3. Bring something to pass the time
Usually, the movies are not available for some time, and the music selection available can be quite sparse, so bring an iPod (the night before you leave try downloading some recent songs or movies, which will be more fun than those you already have), iPhone, iPad, Game Boy, Nintendo DS, or CD player. You can also bring a new book you like or a portable game.
Step 4. Always carry a couple of recent magazines with you
Choosing new magazines at the airport before you leave is a fun way to start your journey!
Step 5. If you can, travel with an airline that offers AVOD (Audio Video on Demand), a screen in front of your seat that allows you to choose movies, music or video games
Step 6. Bring your headphones
Usually, the headphones available on the plane (both paid and free), are of poor quality. Noise-filtering headphones or earphones are perfect and can help you eliminate engine noise.
Step 7. Minimize your hand luggage
A backpack is good for the plane, and it's easier to find a place in the overhead bins or under the seat for a daypack rather than a trolley.
Step 8. Bring a toothbrush, and anything other than liquid or gel, which you may need to freshen up before meeting your loved ones at the end of the long flight
Both they and your neighbors in flight will be delighted.
Step 9. Bring food on board if you are concerned about taste or health
On some airlines, food is quite scarce. Check airlinemeals.net before you leave, read the reviews and decide if you need to buy food before your flight.
Step 10. Contact your airline in advance to find out if they still offer free meals and if you can request a special meal
Many airlines offer vegetarian, kosher, halal and other "special" meals if you order at least two or three days in advance. And since airlines have to specially prepare your meal, this is usually better than standard food. Additionally, passengers with special meal requests are almost always served first. If the airline doesn't offer a free meal, remember to bring your own or buy one at the airport.
Step 11. Bring sweets or other snacks with you
Protein bars are especially useful on a long flight. Most airline meals tend to be low in protein and high in carbohydrates.
Method 2 of 2: Part 2: During the Flight
Step 1. Get moving
This is especially important on longer flights, to prevent your body from sore due to poor circulation. Some airlines offer guidance on exercises that can be done on the spot (such as twisting the ankles and stretching the arms). The long flight leg on night flights is the perfect time to take a stroll up and down the aisle a couple of times. There is usually room to stretch out a bit at the back of some of the cabins.
Step 2. Choose to sit near the rear of the aircraft for long haul routes, if you don't mind the extra noise produced by the engines
Some aircraft, such as the Boeing 747 series, have a large area behind the last row of seats at the rear of the aircraft, giving you all the space you need to stretch out.
However, don't sit at the far rear of the plane. There will certainly be noises and smells coming from people using the restrooms and other areas in the back of the plane
Step 3. Join the in-flight gymnastics video, if your flight provides one
They are videos designed to help with blood circulation and reduce fatigue. If the flight does not include a sample video, you can still do some stretching and some exercises.
Step 4. Take steps to protect yourself from dry air on board the plane
Air in aircraft is very dry and can dehydrate the system.
- Drink lots of water. While it is possible to request water from flight attendants, it is a good idea to bring plenty of water on board. If you can, buy bottled water once you pass security, or bring an empty bottle to refill at a drinking fountain. Remember never to drink the water from airplane toilets; it may contain bacteria.
- Use eye drops (eye drops can be taken past security checkpoints) whenever your eyes are dry. If you are really uncomfortable, don't hesitate to let the cabin crew know.
- Bring saline nasal gel with you if your nostrils are affected by breathing dry air. Saline nasal gel, which is usually found at the drugstore near the saline nasal wash, can help keep the inside of the nose moist and make breathing more comfortable. Apply it in the bathroom and wash your hands before and after. You can put it on a cotton ball and cover the inside of your nostrils. It may sound unsightly, but it really works to prevent your nose from a painful dryness.
- Bring a lip balm in a 100ml or smaller container and use it to protect your lips from becoming dry and sore. If your skin dries easily, bring a small container of hand cream or cocoa butter.
Step 5. Do not look at the time during the flight
You can't do anything about it and the flight will seem much longer if you keep looking at the time. Do not constantly check the clock and avoid looking at the in-flight map that shows the current position of the aircraft.
Advice
- Stretch often during the flight. Helps to avoid deep vein thrombosis and blood clots.
- Don't worry if you often get up to use the bathroom, walking will do you good for blood circulation in your legs. Also consider stopovers. They can take time, but they are also a good time to work out a little.
- To relieve pressure in your ears, learn about the Valsalva maneuver (pinch and blow) in advance to know how to do it correctly.
- Get modeling wax earplugs that you can buy at a drugstore. They work better than cheap rubber ones and are less expensive than custom made ones. If you are concerned about noise, try sitting in front of the motors.
- The armrests can be raised (even to the aisle), but some have a hidden snap closure. Ask the plane crew.
- If the first class (or business class) is not completely sold out, the boarding crew occasionally invites some economy class customers to move. Your chances of this happening are better if you're dressed appropriately - no jeans and a sweatshirt, no open sandals, and no backpack or other bulky carry-on.
- If you are very afraid of flying or have difficulty falling asleep during the flight, you can ask your doctor for a benzodiazepine drug (Valium / Xanax / Restoril). These lower anxiety levels and are sedating. Don't use alcohol for sleeping.
- Take an antihistamine before your flight for relief from air pressure. Helps keep nostrils open and reduces ear and face pain.
- Buy a NadaChair S'portBacker. It allows you to sleep sitting upright. Avoid a sagging posture, which stresses the lower back. Put it on the seat, raise the seat almost to a vertical position, put on the seat belt, and you can sleep for hours without any discomfort. It folds into a pocket book-sized bag. Sitting with better lumbar spine posture, which is what NadaChair helps to do, can also lower blood pressure (NadaChair's BackUp, larger in size, is recommended for larger builds.)
- Bring a lollipop or mint to suck during take-off and landing. It will prevent the ears from "plugging" and "uncorking" repeatedly.
Warnings
- Turn off all WiFi / Bluetooth / Cellular connections in your phone. Most smartphones have airplane mode.
- Sudafed helps relieve pressure in the ears during take off and landing. Be aware, however, that if you fly to Japan or New Zealand, cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine are considered restricted substances and are illegal to bring into the country. Pseudoephedrine is also an amphetamine, and could prevent you from taking a nap.
- Make sure you get a window seat or aisle seat! (Window if you want to sleep, corridor for stretching).
