While being on holiday is great, getting to that dream destination can often feel like a bit of a chore. Eight hours crammed into one tiny seat in a stuffy plane, is it really worth it? Well, we’re here to help you out. Our top 4 easy tips for long plane journeys will have you breezing through the boring travel stage. In fact, you’ll be loving the flight so much, will you even want to get off at the destination?
Book Early
Let’s be honest, nothing’s worse than sitting down to your 10-hour flight and realising you’re in an aisle seat right next to the toilet. Yep, if you thought you were going to get a blissful night’s sleep, you would be wrong. So, to save you the sleep deprivation and annoying toilet flushes every 5 minutes, we have the perfect easy solution for you. Book your seats early. Most airlines don’t let you reserve seats until a few days before your departure, so we recommend confirming the check in times well before your flight. While you probably can’t choose luxury, ultra-soft chairs in economy class, we’re going to let you in on a few secrets to ensure you get the best seat for your budget.
- Leg Room = Long flights mean a lot of time sat down, so you don’t want to be crammed into a small space with no room to stretch out. The best way to combat this issue is to choose an exit row seat. These usually have added leg space with no added cost!
- Fight the Fidgeters = If you don’t want to be bothered by people moving around and constantly getting up to go to the toilet, you may want to opt for a window seat.
- Lean back and relax = We know how annoying it is when someone invades your space. This is why most people don’t feel comfortable using the reclining seats. But choosing the back seats on the plane means you can enjoy as much recline as you like.
Dress to De-stress
Long-haul flights are stressful enough without the added discomfort of restrictive jeans and high heels. We highly suggest wearing clothes that make you feel comfortable. It’s also important to remember that flights can often be a little chilly as you don’t have control over the temperature. A great way to combat the cold is to bring multiple layers. This means you can regulate your own temperature in accordance to how you’re feeling. Additionally, sitting for long periods can cause circulation problems, which may lead to swollen ankles and sore feet.
The best way to solve this problem is to invest in a pair of compression socks. These exert a certain amount of pressure on the legs and ankles to boost your circulation when resting for long periods of time. Compression socks can be prescribed by a doctor or can be bought in a number of different high street stores.
Get on The Games
Long flights can be extremely boring and, if you are anything like us, sitting down for hours at a time just isn’t going to ride. But don’t stress, the invention of the phone has saved us all. A long-haul flight no longer means having to sit in silence if your seat entertainment system goes on the blink. We advise searching for the best mobile games and downloading the best apps before commencing your trip. It’s always a good idea to download a couple so you can alternate between them during the trip.
Pack a Night Bag
Sleeping on a plane can be an uncomfortable experience but, we’re here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be! Most people forget that they’re actually spending a whole night on the plane. So, we say treat it like you would any other night. You wouldn’t go to sleep in your sweaty day clothes with unbrushed teeth at home, so why do it on the plane? We advise bringing a night bag with all your essential night-time products. Not only will brushing your teeth and getting ‘sleep ready’ mean you won’t have to deal with gross morning breath and sticky, slightly smelly clothing, but it’ll also help you feel more relaxed. Earphones are also another great item to put in your night bag. In fact, listening to music has been shown to stimulate tiredness and aid with a sleep routine. So, get your pj’s on and the Mozart blaring, and you’ll be asleep in no time.
Long haul flights can feel extremely overwhelming, especially after the very ‘socially isolated’ year we’ve had. But it’s important to take a step back and remember that it can actually be a good time to sit back and relax. While walking down the plane aisle fully clad in your pink plaid pj’s might not seem all that appealing to you, we can assure you it’s the way to go.
