I guess it’s a big hypocritical of me to write this post since I’m the best long-flight traveller ever. I’m not praising myself or anything. It’s just that after four years in a Uni where sleep deprivation was the main cause of desertion, I developed this supernatural ability to doze under any kind of conditions. And I mean anything. Sometimes the plane hasn’t even taken off and I’m already half-way to dreamland.
But, in any case, since I’m a little paranoid when it comes to long trips and I like to plan ahead for any possible scenario, I developed a strategy to make any long flight go as smoothly as if you were traveling on business class (minus the mimosas).
If you agree with some of these or have any other tips, don’t forget to write it on the comments!
1. Drink a lot of water
With those endless amounts of mini wine bottles and tomato juice (yeah, I’m one of those weirdos who order the tomato juice on the plane) it’s easy to forget how many hours you have been without proper hydration. And believe me, it will show once you reach your destination. If you don’t want to get robbed by those insane airport fares, you can just pack an empty bottle (there are some Roll Up bottles that come handy) and fill it once you pass the security lines. Once in the plane you can ask the flight attendants for a refill anytime you can. Your skin and your immune system will appreciate it.
2. Avoid the middle rows
There are some who prefer windows (obviously), there are others that opt for aisles (even though I still don’t get why) and absolutely no one like the mid seat, but sill you can put up with it and manage. However, there is something even worse than the middle seat and that is the middle row.
Middle rows are a particularly big threat in long flights, mainly because they don’t tend to exist on planes that fly for short periods of time. Since there are four spaces available, you have bigger chances to get a middle seat there, which will place you in the middle of the middle! It is harder to get to the bathroom, or even the aisle to stretch your legs and the flight attendants tend to serve the passengers on the sides first (at least in my experience, anyway).
I had to endure with one of these modern torture devices on my last flight from San Francisco to Edinburgh and I’d only recommend it to someone who I truly hate. So, be aware of your seat on the plane. Ask in the airline counter if they have any other space available or, personal trick: Request the emergency exit seat.
I got this tip from a flight attendant. She told me that emergency seats are seldom requested, they have more space to stretch your legs and the probabilities of actually having to perform your duties in case of an emergency are very low. So, you know, in case you truly value your personal space.
3. Walk!
It doesn’t matter that you don’t really need to go to the loo. The point here is to move your battered body, which has been in the same position for at least a couple of hours. I am not a big fan of airplane yoga, since I think it’s a bit disturbing for both, flight attendants and passengers. But a small walk along the corridor doesn’t hurt anybody and it helps to renovate the circulation.
4. Bring a big scarf with you
It doesn’t matter if your destination is a tropical one. A scarf can save your life on a long flight.
You can keep it around your neck if the plane gets too cold or use it as a blanket or a pillow to get more comfy.
5. Bring brushes and emergency make-up
This might only be me, but I look like sh*t whenever I spend the night on a plane. Doesn’t matter how many hours I sleep, or how well-groomed I am before the flight, I always look like I just pull an all-nighter for a University final.
But that’s why I have my emergency kit with me at all times.
Just get a plastic bag and fill it with toothpaste, some concealer, a nice lip-gloss and any other “musts” of your toiletry list and you’ll be good as new after a long flight. Also, don’t forget a hair and a tooth brush, obviously.
6. Don’t forget hand lotion and lip balm
The lack of moisture in the pressurized cabins of planes tend to make my hands and lips incredibly dry. So, after several hours in a flight, they really ask for some sort of hydration.
I always pack a small container with moisturizing lotion and a chap-stick to keep my palms and lips soft whenever I’m flying for a long time. This balm by Burt’s Bees is a miracle worker.
7. Hand sanitizer
Can you imagine how many people touch that seat divider you just pulled down? How many other passengers grabbed that bathroom doorknob? How about the overhead compartments? I can’t even begin to make the estimation because it gets gross before I finish!
Planes are a pretty good source of germs, since you are sharing a very small place with a very big crowd. So drop in your hand luggage one of those travel size sanitizers and avoid an unwanted cold. Also, they smell awesome!
8. Bring a pen on board!
Most international destinations will require some sort of paperwork from you to allow your entrance.
Tends to be basic stuff to inform your destination’s government about the number of days you are planning to stay and your accommodation arrangements.
In any case, you’ll need to fill a form to deliver at customs, which will put you in the tricky situation of finding a pen inside the plane. So save yourself some trouble and pack one on your carry-on. Also, you can doodle on the cocktail napkins!
9. Try to get some sleep
Hey, I know those little screens with the latest film releases might seem tempting, but try to give it a rest for at least a couple of hours. I guess it’s easy for me to say it since an intercontinental flight it’s just the perfect excuse for me to catch a decent 8-hour sleep. However, my mother and main travel buddy is a horrible plane sleeper, so I’ve picked up some tricks here and there to call for Morpheus.
If you want a short cut, a Dramamine pill can do the trick pretty easily. Just half of a tablet will make you drowsy and ready to dive into sleep for a few hours. However, if you are not so keen on pills (like me), you can always go for some chamomile tea. They usually have it on the plane and it’s incredibly soothing.