Do you have a long flight staring you in the face? Are you a bit concerned about your ability to make it through the flight without it taking a toll on your mind and body? Are you seeking tips for making this more enjoyable?
There are many things you can do to prepare for and survive a long flight. Although every traveler is unique, you don’t want to overlook any tip that could help you better enjoy your time in the sky.
Take for example someone who is researching Hawaiian flights on Expedia. Regardless of your departure city, you can expect to be in the sky for quite some time.
While you’re thinking about nothing more than reaching the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Honolulu, you know that you have to get through your flight first – and that’s not always as easy as it sounds.
With all this in mind, let’s examine some of the best ways to prepare for and survive a long flight:
- Pack a Carry On Bag
This is where you will keep all the things that will help you get through the flight without much stress.
When packing your bag, stick with the essentials. You know that you can only fit so much into your carry on, so you don’t want to go overboard. Creating a checklist will go a long way in keeping you on track.
- Take a Travel Pillow (and more)
A travel pillow could be the difference between getting rest on a long flight and tossing and turning for hours on end.
In addition to a travel pillow, don’t forget your noise cancelling headphones and sleep mask. Both of these things can go a long way in making life more enjoyable.
- Stay Hydrated
Many people overlook the fact that they can quickly become dehydrated when flying. If you don’t keep this in mind, you could find yourself feeling poorly sooner rather than later.
Do yourself a favor and drink as much water as you can while you’re in the sky. Yes, this may mean you have to take more trips to the bathroom, but it’s well worth it.
- Get Up and Stretch
Even if you’re sitting next to the window and have to ask two people to move, this is something you have to do.
If you stretch once an hour (or every couple hours) it will help you feel better throughout the duration of your flight.
This can be as simple as walking up and down the aisle a couple times or spending a few minutes in the bathroom standing up.
- Use Technology to Pass the Time
Do you remember the days before smartphones, tablets, and computers were all the rage? Do you remember flying when there was nothing to do outside of reading a book?
You don’t have to deal with this any longer, as technology has made it much easier to fly. For example, many flights in today’s day and age have Wi-Fi technology. This means that you can browse the internet, watch a movie, or chat with friends on IM – all the while flying through the sky.
You don’t have to use technology throughout the duration of the flight (maybe you want to sleep some), but it can definitely help pass the time.
Tip: you may not have enough space in your carry on to take every form of technology on the flight, so make sure you are selective. For instance, you may decide to check your tablet but carry on your laptop.
Final Thoughts
These are just a few of the many things you can do to prepare for and survive a long flight. If you’re flying economy, use these tips from Square Ship to stay comfortable during your flight. On the other hand, you may want to consider flying first-class to avoid comfort being an issue.
Remember this: Nothing is worse than 10+ hour flights. That being said, it gets easier every time you take a long flight and makes short flights that much more enjoyable.
When was the last time you had to prepare for and take a long flight? Were you concerned about your ability to handle everything that was thrown your way? What was the final outcome? Share your thoughts and past experiences in the comment section below. Your feedback may be just what another traveler needs in order to survive a long flight.