Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. In order to enjoy your flight more, wear breathable, loose clothes that do not require a lot of maintenance (i.e. wrinkle-free, stain-resistant garments). Cotton jersey work in layers works well for this and don’t forget to bring a light sweater. Since our feet also expand during long flights, consider wearing sandals instead of tight-fitting shoes and bring socks just in case your feet get cold fast. Also, best to avoid wearing unnecessary jewelry, belts or boots as these can slow you down during security checkpoints prior to boarding your flight.
Device a “Sleep Strategy”. While some find a seated-position comfortable enough to catch quality rest, others would prefer to bring with them their own little pillows and blankets. Some also take advantage of a window seat by resting their head against the window. Ear plugs and eye shades can also help block out disturbing noises and light around the aircraft. For early morning departures, it would be best to book a hotel near the airport to ensure you get enough sleep while making sure that you get to the airport to catch your flight on time. In order to combat “jet lag”, it helps to figure out what time it will be in your destination and adjust yourself to it as soon as you can.
Hydrate Conditions inside an aircraft can be drier than the desert. This is because high altitudes contain very little moisture and long flights can dehydrate our bodies so badly that it can cause a person severe discomfort such as getting dry skin, chapped lips, and the feeling of being run-down and irritated. It would be helpful to drink plenty of water before, during and after the flight. Stay away from alcoholic or caffeinated beverages as this can dehydrate more. Also, slather on some night cream and bring travel-size lotions to make sure that your hands and face stay supple and smooth while on board the plane. Pack all your essentials into your carry-on luggage. Consider packing an “activity pack”, just as you would your child, when going on long flights. Do not forget to pack your travel documents, medicines, extra clothes, extra drink and snacks as well as travel-sized toiletries. Keep in mind though that there are restrictions on liquids, gels, and aerosols in your carry-on baggage
Useful Tips to Amuse Yourself During a Long Flight
You’ve endured all the hassles of travel: the delays, security checks, rude staff, crying babies and now, you’re seated at 35,000 feet in the air with a lot of time to kill. The stranger next to you is intently reading his paper while you are ill-at-ease with the notion of having to disturb the man. And so you think “How will I survive 18 hours of this?” Hopefully you’ve come prepared with the necessary paraphernalia to make time run faster, but if not, here are other ways of amusing yourself during a long flight without having to bother anyone.
Read. Whether it be a book or a magazine, be sure to bring something that really interests you and to bring a selection or two to make sure that you have other choices incase the one you selected turns out to be a snooze-fest.
Listen to music. An iPod or any MP3 player can come in handy especially in blocking out the noises inside such as the very talkative lady behind you or the screaming baby at the opposite aisle. Make sure that you have charged it fully and do turn it on only when it is safe to do so. For added listening pleasure, consider getting noise-cancelling headphones to drown out the whirring sound of the plane’s engines.
Do small exercises and stretching exercises. Prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) by occasionally getting up from your seat (only do so when the seatbelt sign is off) and taking a short walk along the aisles. Be careful not to disturb anyone while walking up and down the aisles and avoid getting in the way of the flight attendants who may be busy attending to other passengers.
Play games. Nothing passes time quickly than having fun, so before your flight, make sure that you have your puzzles, portable gaming consoles, and travel game boards at hand to amuse you or to tire you out and make you sleepy. However, before turning on any electronic gadget, make sure that it is safe to do so and that all wireless functions are turned off so that it would not interfere with the plane’s navigation system.