7 tips to make a long flight bearable
Long-haul flights are no easy experience. Not only are you crammed into the same vicinity for hours on end but you also have to endure the boredom and flight food.
Here are tips to make your next long-haul flight a little more bearable.
1. Buy your ticket as early as you can
By purchasing your ticket as soon as possible, you get to have the security of selecting your preferred seat. Whether you like window or aisle seats, purchasing your ticket early will ensure you don’t have an unfortunate seat for your flight. If you wait until the last minute to book, the chances are that you will be given the unfortunate middle seat.
2. Don’t wear makeup
While you are flying, your skin has to deal with dry cabin air, so it is vital that your pores are not clogged with product. Instead, apply a serum and moisturiser to keep your skin fresh and hydrated. Before you leave, make sure your serum and moisturiser are less than 100ml so they can pass through security. It is also beneficial to apply eye drops to avoid irritation and put on some chapstick for your lips.
3. Invest in good travel essentials
Although some essentials are given to you in a long flight care package, it is common for these tiny items to be faulty. To avoid the disappointment from having a dodgy care package, invest in quality travel essentials that you can reuse. A good travel pillow, ear plugs and sleep masks will provide you with extra comfort on your long flight.
4. Wear comfy clothes
Long distance travel requires your most comfortable clothing. Although a stylish outfit might make you feel great before you depart, it will only bring you misery if it makes you uncomfortable while you attempt to sleep on your flight. You can always pack another outfit that you can change into before you land if you are meeting anyone special at the airport. Experts also recommend wearing compression socks which will reduce swelling and decrease the risk of blood clots.
5. Pack headphones
Although airlines provide headphones, with the plane engine noise and loud passengers, it can be difficult hearing music and movies. Instead, bring your own noise-cancelling headphones. They will also be much more comfortable on your ears than the airlines’ headphones.
6. Drink water
Although drinking water is obvious, plane humidity has a serious effect on passengers. Experts recommend drinking around 250ml of water per house. The plane humidity dulls the skin and can worsen jetlag.
7. Walk every few hours
Pressurised cabins mean less oxygen for passengers, which can cause symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, swollen limbs and dehydration. The best way to counteract the oxygen levels is to stretch regularly. Every few hours, walk up and down the aisle to boost blood flow and, while you are in your seat, engage in some non-intrusive exercise such as rolling your shoulders.
What are your tips to surviving a long flight? Let us know in the comments below.