No matter how you slice it, long flights can be brutal. Even though visiting a new city is worth the travel it takes to get there (usually), it’s easy to lose sight of that when you’re on hour ten of a flight and have ten more to go. Between sleep issues, feeling cramped, and sub-par airplane “food,” it’s easy to lose hope – and your mind – during really long flights.
But with a little preparation ahead of time (both physically and mentally), you can make your flight a little less miserable. Here’s how:
Upgrading to First Class: Upgrading out of coach can make a huge difference for any flight, but it’s absolutely worth considering for long ones. Whether you use frequent flier miles or fork over extra dough, you’ll appreciate the legroom, fully reclining chairs (and beds, in some cases), quality food, entertainment, and overall personal space.
Choosing Your Seat Wisely: In addition to selecting either the aisle or window seat, you’ll want to take other factors into consideration as well. Do you want to be near a bathroom or far away to avoid frequent passersby? Would you benefit from the extra legroom often provided in the emergency exit section? For detailed information, look for your plane’s seating chart on SeatGuru to find the best location for you.
Sleeping Before Your Flight: Although you may think that a long flight means hours of uninterrupted sleep, the chances of this are extremely slim. Between the inability to get comfortable, loud talkers, and the passenger who insists on keeping his light on, sleeping on a plane can be challenging. Instead, get as much sleep before your flight as possible to make up for the sleep you’ll lose during your travels. You might want to bring earplugs and an eye mask to help block out noise and light.
Wearing Comfortable Clothes: To help you stay comfortable, wear loose-fitting clothing and consider bringing an extra pair of clothes to change into.
Exercising: While you won’t be able to run laps or do jumping jacks on the plane, do get up once an hour and walk to the bathroom to stretch your legs and get your blood circulating. This will also help prevent blood clots from forming in your veins.
Staying Healthy: Remaining well hydrated is essential to staying healthy during any flight. Drink plenty of water or sports beverages, which contain extra electrolytes to keep you hydrated. Avoid consuming alcohol and anything that contains caffeine, such as coffee, soda, and chocolate. To avoid and prevent the spread of germs, bring along antibacterial wipes and hand gel so you can wipe down your seat area and sanitize your hands.
Keeping Busy: One of the biggest concerns people have about long flights? Boredom. To avoid going stir-crazy, come prepared and stay entertained. This can include watching movies, listening to music, reading, or talking and/or playing games with friends.
Photo from The Sydney Morning Herald.
