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The idea of being cramped up in a tiny, uncomfortable seat like a sardine does not sound too appealing, does it? But how else are we going to make it halfway across the world? The only people who actually do not mind those long haul flights are the passengers with business or first-class tickets. But if you’re reading this blog post, I’m assuming you’re broke like me. Sigh. However, I just came back from a trip to Thailand, which forced me to take multiple 10+ hour-long flights. So sit back and relax as I tell you some tips on how to survive long flights in economy. I would not be recommending these if they did not work for me so these are guaranteed to make your voyage a bit easier! 🙂
Dress Super Comfy
I can not stress this enough. Who wants to sit in a plane for 15 hours in jeans, a tight shirt, and heels? I know I don’t. So ladies, wear some comfortable leggings, a flowy shirt, sneakers, and a cardigan. Trust me, it will get cold and some airlines do not give you a blanket. If a cardigan isn’t something you want to bring, try a scarf. They make great blankets. Be prepared.
Buy Compression Socks
These special socks increase blood circulation which is super important if you want to avoid blood clots (which increases your chances with more travel time). If you don’t want to wear them before your flight, stash them in your carry on and put them on before ascending. You will thank me later.
Rest Before You Go
In order to improve your travel experience, resting the night before you fly is crucial. You will wake up with a more positive attitude and ready to take on the day. There are some people who chose to stay awake the night before so they could just sleep the hours away on the plane (my boyfriend *rolls eyes*). If you don’t mind waking up with neck and back pain, by all means, go for it!
Charge Your Devices
The night before, make sure to leave your phone, laptop, Kindle, etc. charging! Some planes don’t have outlets and if they do, there could also be the chance that they don’t work. When I hopped on my flight to Mexico, I was pumped that there was an outlet in my seat so I could charge my laptop; but when I went to plug it in, boom. Not working. Better yet, I couldn’t even switch seats because “every seat was taken” pfft. Even though most long haul flights DO have free entertainment onboard, sometimes they just don’t have the greatest movies/ tv-shows so I like to download some on my phone before I fly.
Ask to be Upgraded
A nice smile and friendly attitude goes a long way when it comes to asking for an upgrade. However, if there are no more seats in Business, try asking the flight attendant if you could sit in the emergency row. United Airlines has two economy classes (basic and economy plus). I flew in both and Economy Plus made all the difference. It wasn’t much but the legroom made the journey so much better. I, personally, love the emergency row because you could stretch your legs and prevent those pesky clots previously mentioned. This brings me to tip #6…
Related: 6 Insane Cheap Flight Hacks That Will Change Your Life
Get Up And Move Around
I used to be that anxious person that did not want any extra attention which is why I always refused to get up and bother the person next to me or have everyone look at me. But, I realized that most passengers do this. Try to walk up and down the aisle, go to the bathroom or even just stand in the corner twisting your neck, etc. It will help you avoid feeling sore when the plane finally arrives to its destination.
Bring a Toiletry Bag and Extra Clothes
Fill up a clear bag with travel-sized toiletries for when you need to freshen up. Flying at such a high altitude sucks the moisture and energy out of us. But not to fear, toiletries are here! Some examples might be:
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Body Lotion
- Hand sanitizer
- Face mask
- Concealer, mascara, lip balm
If you have layovers, this is the perfect opportunity to change into clean clothes. Some people even chose to change in the middle of the flight. Whatever helps you feel clean and refreshed!
Bring Sleeping Pills
If you’re the type of person that has a hard time falling asleep on planes, sleeping pills might be what you’re looking for. Melatonin usually does the charm for me and they’re available almost anywhere. I bought the liquid form instead of the pills (I’m still too scared to swallow pills) and it knocked me out for a few hours and I didn’t even feel groggy. I felt… good.
Bring an Empty Water Bottle
If you’re worried it won’t make it through security, relax. The water bottle is empty. No liquid. Nada. Zip. All airports usually have water fountains that you can fill it up with. Please don’t spend 3 dollars on a bottle of water. Getting chest pains just thinking about it.
Try Picking An Aisle Seat
There is nothing more annoying than having to climb over the sleeping guy next to you. But if you are in the aisle seat, you can get up with ease without having to do all the work that would’ve come if you sat by the window. Choose the aisle seat. Always choose the aisle seat (unless you’re sick in which the window seat will be your best friend).
Bring A Neck Pillow
Being comfortable is obviously super important and neck pillows are key to comfort. I use them in three ways: a pillow, behind my lower back for lumbar support and the obvious one, on my neck. When I use it as a pillow, I’m usually by the window and I just prop it right up against the wall. Using it on my back lets me leave the plane without that annoying sore feeling. When I’m trying to sleep in any other seat but the window, I like to put it behind my neck so my neck doesn’t feel like it’s breaking off!
Bring Ear Plugs
If your ears are constantly popping and they’re still clogged even AFTER you land, earplugs might be the trick for you. They are usually pretty cheap (like $5) and work wonders. Take it from the girl who almost didn’t get on a plane in fear of rupturing her eardrum because her ears would not unclog after so many hours. Yep, not a good time. Because I have delicate ears, I personally use THESE. They are literally worth every penny.
Sit By The Wing
There is no actual scientific evidence to this claim; however, apparently sitting by the plane’s wings allows you to feel less turbulence. Don’t ask me how that makes sense but I believe it. I barely feel the turbulence when I’m by the wing yet sitting in the back makes me so anxious because I feel every little drop. I can’t explain it but it works for me!
Treat the Flight Attendants With Respect
Be nice to the crew on the plane. Please. They are there to make your flight better and to keep you safe. With that being said, if you are nice to them, most will be nicer to you. Talk to them. You will see that they have some crazy stories to tell and you will enjoy the company. A smile really does make all the difference on these long haul flights.
Phew! I know this post was super long but hopefully, these tips will make your next flight much easier! Let me know in the comments if I’m missing any you feel are share-worthy. My ears are always open xo
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