Eight hours on a stuffy aircraft can feel like a nightmare. If you do a bit of preparation however then there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to feel cool and comfortable throughout the whole journey.
Find Comfortable Clothing
If you want to be comfortable on your flight, then you need to wear some nice and loose-fitting clothing. You also need to take into account that sometimes aeroplanes can get chilly too, especially if the air conditioning is turned up full-blast. If you want to help yourself here, then you need to take lots of layers. Leaving your jewellery at home, or even in the hold is also another consideration because if you wear it on the plane then you’ll probably set off the alarms at airport security. When choosing your footwear, it also helps to choose trainers that are loose-fitting. The main reason for this is because sometimes, your feet can swell when you get to a higher altitude, and the last thing that you want is to feel uncomfortable for the entire journey.
Reserve Yourself A Good Seat
Choosing the right seat is also crucial. If you don’t then this will cause you major issues, and it may even make your trip unenjoyable. If you are going on a long flight, then it helps to stay away from the front of the plane as these seats are generally favoured by those with young children. If you like to move around when you are on the flight then choose an aisle seat. One way for you to choose the best seat is for you to book as far in advance as you possibly can. This will give you the chance to choose the seat you want, and it will also help you to take advantage of any deals that might be available.
Prepare For Sleep
You will be on the plane for quite a long time, so it’s a good idea for you to bring a few essentials. Bring a lightweight blanket and a good travel pillow. This will stop you from getting neck ache when you are on the flight and it will also help you to get more comfortable. It may even be worth you searching for the best earplugs to sleep as this will help you to get that much-needed rest when you are on the plane.
Don’t Pack Too Much
It helps to bring a few comforts from home, but be careful not to take too much. If you do, then you will have to lug around a huge suitcase and you may even find that you struggle to get it in the overhead locker too. Ideally you should try and take one cabin bag and then a shoulder bag for the flight. You can keep all of your smaller essentials such as your MP3 player and even your water bottle in reach, without having to take things that you don’t really need.
Take Your Own Snacks
Sure, long-haul flight providers will usually give you some food on the trip, but it might not be what you’re in the mood for. You may end up having breakfast at dinner time or even noodles first thing in the morning. If you want to stave off your hunger, then it helps to take a few snacks with you. This can include some nuts, dried fruit or even slow-releasing carbohydrates.
Move Around
Stretching your legs is necessary for your own sanity when you’re on a long-haul flight. If you want to reduce the risk of developing deep vein thrombosis, then it helps to do gentle exercises. You might also want to keep getting up every few hours too.
Stay Hydrated
Aircraft cabins tend to be very dry so there’s a high chance that you’ll get dehydrated if you don’t drink regularly. It also helps to avoid having too much tea, coffee or alcohol, as this will only make the problem worse. If you want to help yourself here, make sure that you take a bottle of water on board with you. You can usually buy one at the airport, but if you do then make sure that it stays sealed until you get it on the plane. When you’ve finished your water, the cabin crew would usually be more than happy to refill it for you, so you don’t have to worry about a thing there.
Relax
When you’re on an airline, there’s a high chance that you’ll have no mobile phone coverage. You’ll also have cabin crew who are waiting on your every need, so take advantage of this. Watch a rom-com, put your feet up if you have the option or get stuck into a good book. This will help you to make the most out of your trip and it will also give you the chance to really relax too.
Choose A Good Airline
There’s a huge difference between a good long-haul airline and a bad one. You need to do your research and you also need to read reviews too. When you do, you will then be able to give yourself the chance to make the best decision regarding your flight and you can also rest assured knowing that you’re going to be taken care of. If you’re not quite sure what you should be looking for when choosing your flight then look out for airlines that prioritise comfort, and even ones that are willing to give you extra amenities on the flight too. Little things like this can go a long way and you would be surprised at how much of a difference it can make to your overall experience.
Of course, going on a long-haul flight doesn’t need to be a daunting experience and by taking the above tips into account, you can be sure to have the best time and you can also make yourself way more comfortable too. If you want to pass time even more then why not try and talk to the person in the seat next to you, and make a new friend?