5 Tips for Surviving a Long Flight

Did you just book a long flight? You may be excited to take off for some faraway destination that will take you out of both your comfort zone and your time zone. However, the realization that you’ve booked a long flight can also create some anxiety. How can you comfortably survive a long flight? Take a look at five tips for keeping your sanity in your seat!

Dress Comfortably

Rough fabrics, sharp zippers and restrictive fits can all cause some serious discomfort on a long flight. It is so important to dress comfortably if you’ll be stuck on a plane for several hours. Things like tailored jackets, riding boots and skinny jeans can all become very uncomfortable to wear after a few hours in the same position. Your extremities can actually begin to swell after sitting in the same position for several hours. That means that tight-fitting clothing that fit properly when you left the house can become painfully tight while you’re in the air. Cotton clothing with some stretch is often the most comfortable option. Opt for sneakers or sport shoes that you can wear with soft socks instead of anything with a heel. You can even pack some compression socks to promote healthy circulation in your legs during a long period of sitting in your airplane seat.

Pack a Tech Case

Put together a portable case that will take care of all of your tech needs while you’re in the air. The case can include any tablets, phones or devices that you’ll want to use for entertainment during your flight. A lot of cabins provide electrical outlets these days. However, you should still consider bringing some extra batteries or portable charging devices to make sure you have enough juice to get through an extended journey. You should also make sure that all of your devices are fully charged before you pack them away. You can also load up your devices with any entertainment options that you’ll want to enjoy during a long flight. Don’t forget to download the entertainment app of the particular airline you’ll be flying with before you board your plane! It should be noted that airlines can have varying policies when it comes to what you can bring into a cabin. Be sure to check your airline’s policy for batteries and power sources when you book your seat.

Get Some Earplugs or Noise-Canceling Headphones

The rules for sleeping are totally different on an ultra-long flight. You may be used to simply shutting your eyes for catnaps on regular flights. The thing about an ultra-long flight is that you’re probably going to have to work in what amounts to a full night of sleep during your journey! Will you be able to sleep through passenger chatter, the sounds of flight attendants moving up and down the aisles and the cries of little ones? Pack some earplugs or noise-canceling headphones if getting deep rest during your flight is important. Need help choosing the right noise-canceling headphones, check out reviews on the Flyertalk forum of two of the most popular models. There are even easy-to-pack models.

Choose the Right Seat

Do your best to actually choose your own seat if you can. Of course, the seat that works best for you will depend on your travel style. Do you tend to sleep through a long flight? Opt for a window seat to ensure that you’re not asked to move out of the way whenever your row companions get up to use the restroom. A window seat also provides a nice place to rest your head while you doze off. Do you typically get up to stretch or use the restroom a lot during a flight? People who don’t sleep very much during flights do better with aisle seats. An aisle seat will give you freedom to get up and stretch as often as you need to without disturbing your row mates.

Download a Good Meditation App

Being stuck in a seat inside a crowded plane for several hours can easily make just about anyone feel tense and anxious. You may be able to calm your nerves with some soothing sounds or guided meditations. It’s a good idea to download a meditation app that will allow you to “escape” for a little bit! Having some relaxation tools can be especially helpful if you encounter nerve-wracking turbulence during your flight.

Prepared Travelers Really Can Enjoy Long Flights

The one thing that all of these tips have in common is that they require some preparation. It’s important to begin planning for your long flight before the time comes to drive to the airport. It’s a good idea to put an afternoon aside for buying some comfortable flying clothes, preparing your devices and researching your airline’s policies for carry-on items and electronics to ensure that you’re ready for a comfortable, stress-free trip! Everyone has their long-haul flight routine. Prepared flyers can even avoid jet lag.