Long Flights: How To Survive And Not Go Insane
When you prefer to ‘get there fast’ over silly layovers, you may have to endure long hours on a plane. You know it’s worth it, but how do you prepare?
“Oh, you're on an 18 hour flight to Singapore?
That's a long nap, two movies and a sandwich.”
- Frequent Traveler
Pack your carry on as if something will go wrong (freezing cold plane, gross food, back of seat entertainment broken, sit on tarmac for hours).
Seat choice is important, even if you have to pay more. No middle seat allowed. Try poking around on Seat Guru to help choose the best seats.
Wear layers and nothing tight. Think legal pajamas or your coziest Thanksgiving outfit with the loose waistline.
Bring a jacket or shawl. Lots of people like hoodies to create a kind of cave for themselves. We love the cashmere travel blanket made by Jet & Bo.
Bring your own water bottle. The flight attendant can refill it for you.
Snack ideas: peanut butter sandwich, muffins, protein bars, banana, apple, pretzels, fruit/nut mix and even a Ramen cup using hot water on the plane.
Bring noise-cancelling headphones if you need absolute quiet.
Bring the AirFly adapter for your wireless earbuds to connect to the seat back flight entertainment screen via Bluetooth. Old school wired earbuds work too.
An eye mask is a lifesaver.
Bring your portable charger in case the seat charger is broken.
Load your devices with downloaded movies, books or podcasts.
Compression socks work! If your feet/ankles/legs swell, you might lose a day or two on arrival.
Face sheet hydrating masks. Who cares what it looks like? Pretend you’re in a spa.
Toothbrush/paste, eye drops, hairbrush, lip balm.
Sleep meds, another lifesaver.
When not napping, keep moving. Walk around and stretch or dance down the aisles!
Turn those seemingly endless hours into a chance for relaxing and catching up with books and movies. Plus, you’re probably going somewhere really great! Safe travels everyone.
