Long flights are the bane of every traveler’s existence. Sitting in a cramped seat for hours on end is nobody’s idea of a good time, but you don’t always have to suffer when travelling long distances. These practical tips will help you make the best of a bad situation and perhaps make your journey a little less miserable.
Book comfortable airport transportation beforehand
Save yourself the trouble of having to pay for expensive taxis or stuffing all your luggage in a packed train when you reach your destination. One of the first things you should book when planning your travels is comfortable and convenient airport transportation. If you’re visiting the UK, you can find luxury airport transfers that offer the safest and comfiest way to get to and from the airport. Your long flight will feel much shorter when you’ve got something exciting to look forward to at the end of it.
Take a red-eye flight
A red-eye flight is a flight that departs at night and arrives by early morning. If you find yourself stressing out too much about long-distance travelling, this is a great way to get some shut-eye and let time fly by. You’ll be able to save your energy by sleeping all throughout the flight until you get to your destination. Don’t forget to bring an eye mask, pillow, earplugs, and a cozy blanket.
Score great seats
If your airline offers online check-in, make sure to do it as early as possible so you can find the best available seats. The seats at the front of the plane are generally the most comfortable since they offer tons of leg space. It also depends on your preferences. An aisle seat allows you to walk around freely while a window seat gives you a place to rest your head against when sleeping.
Wear cozy clothes
The golden rule of comfortable flying is to wear comfortable clothes. Ideally, you should opt for clothes that feel like pyjamas. That means going for things like loose shirts, sweatpants, flats or sneakers, and hoodies.
Use your miles to get an upgrade
This only applies to you if you travel regularly using one airline with a miles program. It’s always worth it to get a cramped coach seat upgraded to a business class one if you have enough miles saved up. But even smaller rewards like getting to board earlier are great ways to make your time on the plane a little less stressful.
Meditate
A long flight is the perfect time to relax your mind and meditate. There are plenty of guided meditation apps and videos you can download on to your mobile phone to listen to on the plane. These can help you enter a more peaceful and tranquil mindset. You might even fall into a nice, pleasant sleep from doing so.
Keep yourself hydrated
Flying can dehydrate you quickly due to the plane’s air circulation system. Dehydration can make you feel fatigued, lethargic, and dizzy. This is why it’s absolutely necessary to keep yourself hydrated while on a flight. Avoid alcohol, tea, or coffee which could disrupt your sleep and prevent you from getting some shut-eye. Opt for a simple bottle of water and drink lots of it.
A hellish flight is made better by the promise of a great trip once you arrive at your destination. Make it even more tolerable with these handy tips.