Summer is officially here and that means vacation for a lot of us. Jealousy for the rest. And to get to that vacation destination, it typically requires flying. But not all flights are created equal, especially those flights that you know you’re going to be spending the better part of a day on.
So what do you need to know to survive a long-haul flight? Let’s pack our survival bags and throw it on autopilot to find out.
Comfy clothes
We’ve all seen it. Men in full suits, women in skirts, heels and hair all done up. That’s not comfortable. Comfy and cozy is what you wear at night while eating potato chips straight from the bag and binge watching your favorite shows. Sweatpants, t-shirts, shorts, yoga pants … if it can pass off as gym clothes, then you’re on the right track.
Snack attack
If you're on a long-haul flight, chances are you’ll be provided a meal. That’s great but don’t count on that one meal and a complimentary bag of pretzels to cut it. Ten hours or more in the air is going to call for snacks … and not just junk food. Make sure to bring food that’s high in protein like jerky, protein bars, nuts, etc. because they’ll help fill you up for longer. After all, being hangry on a plane is the last place you want to unleash your angry appetite.
Hydration station
Did you know that flying is one of the quickest ways to dehydrate you? It’s true. The air you breath in the cabin is the same air that’s outside. And air at that altitude has very little moisture, hence drying you out. So instead of asking for that extra coke or juice, think about bringing your own water bottle to keep the thirst at bay.
Get up. Stretch out.
Sitting in an uncomfortable plane seat between two other people for hours on end isn’t doing your body any favors. It’s like sitting in a cubicle at work – it’s not good for you. So, make sure you try to get up at least once an hour just for a minute or so to keep yourself limber and your blood flowing. The fewer aches you de-board the plane with the better.
Spread out and save your neck
Depending on when you depart and the airline you’re on, you may have the benefit of unfilled, open seats. If you stumble across this luxury, take advantage of it. Regardless if you’re flying with a significant other, family member or friend, give yourself some room and try to spread yourself out over at least a couple seats. This will not only help make sleeping more bearable, but it will save your neck from kinking. And speaking of necks, if you don’t have a neck pillow … you may want to splurge the $20 to save yourself some pain.
Pack light(ish)
There’s no denying that the legroom under the seat in front of you on a plane is basically nonexistent. So, if you’re bringing your one carry-on to store up top and a personal item to store under your feet, you may want to reconsider that. Having that extra legroom, sans backpack or purse will go a long way in helping you achieve comfort points throughout the flight.
You know what they say, it’s about the journey not the destination, right? Well, when it comes to long flights, they’ve definitely got a point. So instead of boarding your next long-haul like a rookie passenger, give this list a thorough read through and make the most (aka comfort) out of your time in the air.
