Extended flights can be a major pain in the neck if you don’t prepare ahead of time. Travel is hard enough without being curled up in a tiny seat for hours at a time. Still, there are a number of things that can be done to make your trip much more comfortable. The key is to plan ahead of time. Here are seven things in particular that you can do to make your extended flights more comfortable:
Dress for Comfort
There are people out there that are perfectly comfortable in a business suit and tie. Most of us, however, don’t fall into that category. Most of us like to take it easy in sweats, comfortable slacks and things of that nature. Whatever you find to be most comfortable should be what you wear on your long trips. If you simply must have a fancy suit on or some other uncomfortable gear, pack it in a garment bag and change when you get close to your destination. There is no reason to fly uncomfortably if you can avoid it.
Make Sure You Have Things to Do
Boredom will make that twelve hour flight feel like two weeks. Instead, bring along a variety of things that you know will keep your mind busy. Laptops, books, puzzles and any number of other items can do the trick rather nicely. Figure out what you love to do the most and then be sure to have it on hand.
Get a Good Eye Mask
A great eye mask can do incredible things for your trip because it can take you somewhere else. With a nice mask that darkens your surroundings, you can easily drift off to sleep and pass the majority of the time.
Get Noise Cancelling Headphones
This is equally important and some might even say more so. Blocking out the noise on a plane is significantly harder than closing your eyes. Sounds are much more penetrating and invading on a plane because you are in such a confined area. Get a really good set of headphones and you will not be bothered one iota.
Get an Aisle Seat When Possible
Sitting on the aisle is always going to be more comfortable. You will be able to get up and move around any time you please and you will not be forced to have your legs crammed into a tiny little area. When you book your flight, try your best to get a great seat with leg room. If you take off and there are empty areas that you could be more comfortable in, relocate. Most airlines won’t mind if the seats are not taken.
Get Up and Move Around Now and Then
Stretching out your feet, arms and legs is vitally important on a long flight and you should do so as often as you need to. Again, this is where having an aisle seat can really help. Learn some basic stretching exercises and get up every half hour or so to do them. Try not to invade other’s space and do them in the bathroom if you need to. Most of the time there is somewhere on the plane where you can stretch your legs safely.
Skip the Booze
Drinking is a horrible idea on a long flight because it will lead to several problems. It can lead to jet lag, dehydration, social problems and even a deeper sleep than you intended. Drinking is just a really bad idea in most circumstances on a long plane trip….no matter how common it might be.
These are only a handful of things to make your trip a bit more acceptable, what others can you come up with? What makes your trips more comfortable?
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