Let’s face it, sitting through a long flight can be challenging. Sitting in a small seat for extended periods can become uncomfortable, you may be hungry, thirsty, or tired, and frankly, long flights can become boring pretty quickly. Though you may have to sit through a long flight to get to many destinations worldwide, doesn’t mean that they should be something you dread. Believe it or not, there are many things that you can do to make your next long flight go as smoothly as possible. From wearing layers to packing snacks – here are 10 of our favorite tips for surviving a long flight:
- Wear Layers: You never know if you’re going to be hot or cold while on a flight. This is why you should always dress in layers so that you can adjust as your flight progresses. For example, if you’re too hot, you can take off your jacket, and then when you’re cold, put it back on! Better to be safe than sorry when it comes to airplane attire.
- Pick Your Seat Wisely: Pick your seat carefully when booking your flight. Though many people think that the aisle seat is the best, in reality, the best seat that you can choose is the window seat. This is because you can place your pillow on the window and rest your head against it, and you won’t have to worry about having to get up when other passengers in your row have to use the restroom.
- Bring a Sleep Mask: No matter if you’re flying during the day or at night, you’re going to want to bring a sleep mask on a long flight. During the day, the sunlight will be shining through your airplane window, and at night other passengers will most likely be using their bright electronic devices and using the reading lights that are built into the airplane. If you’re looking to get some shuteye, simply place the sleeping mask over your eyes, and block out all distractions.
Try out this blackout sleep mask for optimal sleep.
- Pack Snacks: Even though most airlines will pass out snacks, you may end up getting hungry even after mealtime is over, especially on a long flight. Pack some snacks into your bag ahead of time so that you have access to food at ease. Consider packing healthy snacks rather than junk food to avoid upsetting your stomach while on your flight.
- Use Noise-Cancelling Headphones: Noise-canceling headphones can help drowned out the sound around you. They allow you to relax and focus solely on the sounds of any music, movie, or game that you’re trying to listen to and block out any noise coming from the plane and other passengers.Â
If you aren’t sure what headphones to purchase for your next long flight, we recommend these noise-canceling headphones.
- Bring Lots of Entertainment: It can get extremely boring on a long flight if you aren’t prepared. Make sure that you pack lots of entertainment for yourself to make the flight pass by in the blink of an eye. Consider packing books, magazines, travel games, adult coloring books, and download games, music, and movies on your mobile devices. The more you keep busy, the faster the flight will go by!
- Pack Lotion and Chapstick: The air circulating throughout a plane is typically very dry. When you’re on a long flight, you’re exposing yourself to that air for prolonged amounts of time, which can make your skin and lips dry out. Pack a small bottle of moisturizing lotion and some chapstick in your carry-on bag to ensure that your skin and lips stay hydrated throughout your flight.
- Stretch in Your Seat: Your body may start to feel cramped and tight when sitting on a long flight. To help combat this, it’s essential that you take some time to stretch in your seat each hour. If you aren’t sure where to begin, this article has some great ideas for stretching out each part of your body directly from your airplane seat.
- Stay Hydrated: You’re going to want to consistently drink water throughout your flight so that you can stay hydrated. Purchase a bottle of water before boarding so that you have access to water whenever you’re thirsty. One bonus of staying hydrated while on your flight? Hydration is key in helping ease any jetlag symptoms.
- Chew Gum on Descent: Our final tip for surviving a long flight is to chew gum during descent. Pressure can build up in your ears while flying due to the changes in altitude, which can cause some pain or discomfort for people. This pressure can be felt most typically when a plane is landing. Luckily, chewing gum can help ease this pressure.Â
Long flights can be hard to sit through, especially if you aren’t prepared. Follow these 10 tips during your next flight to ensure that you have the best experience possible. If you’re looking to travel abroad and need a new passport or passport renewal, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’d be happy to help answer any questions you may have. We look forward to getting you to your destination!
