No matter how often you travel, long-haul flights are imitating
It’s easy to understand why - the 22 hour journey flying from Singapore to New York is enough to make even the most experienced flyer anxious. Follow these ten tips to ensure you’re as comfortable as possible on your next long-haul flight. .
1. Be prepared
The key to enjoy a enjoying a long-haul flight is ensure you are relaxed and prepared for you travels.
Prepare your home placing a hold on mail and deliveries, setting up pet care and, should you choose, arranging a house sitter or someone to check in on your house periodically while you’re away.
Write a to do list of everything you need to do before you travel, including everything from arranging vaccinations and visas to booking a taxi to the airport. Also write a packing list for both your checked and carryon baggage If you write it down, you’re less likely to forget.
Be sure to keep the things you need close to hand. Your passport, visa and tickets will need to be presented to the staff when you check in. Before you line up to board your flight, take out everything you’ll need for the first hour of your flight. It will ensure you and your fellow passengers can board quickly.
2. Charge your devices
Ensure your devices are fully charged before departure and pack your charges in your hand luggage. Not only does this ensure you can charge your phone should your luggage get lost, but a lot of airlines also have USB charges in their arm rests so you’ll be able to charge your device mid flight.
3. Choose your seat
Choosing your own seat on the plane is one way to guarantee a better flight. It might cost an extra $20, but it is well worth the extra money. Enter your flight details into seatguru.com to find seat maps, let room dimentions, avaliable amenities such as power, seat recline and arm rest date and the location of bathrooms and the galleries.
4. Freshen up and get changed
Once your flight has reached cruising altitude, it’s time to change into comfortable clothing.
No matter where you are flying, it is always cold on the plane so it’s best to lose layers. Choose clothing that can be worn comfortably while seated for hours on end. Pants that stretch, like leggings or lounge pants are perfect when teamed with a simple tee. If you are prone to feeling cold, a scarf makes an excellent makeshift blanket or can be scrunched up and used like a pillow. Next, kick your shoes off and put on some socks but keep your shoes close, as you’ll need to wear them when walking around the plane.
5. Enjoy the meal and bring a snack
Despite what many say, airplane meals are actually pretty good on long flights. Depending on you are flying with, meals are included with your ticket prices. For example, if you’re flying in Economy with Qantas between Melbourne and Los Angeles, you’ll be offered two main meals. There is also a self service snack bar at the back of the plane. If you have special dietary requirements it’s important to contact your airline before you depart to ensure they have a suitable meal. If meals aren’t included in the cost of your ticket, it’s a good idea to purchase your meal before you depart. It is often cheaper and you can pick what you like to eat.
Whilst most airlines provided snacks on long-haul flights, having your favorite snacks on hand can make a flight more enjoyable. Additionally, if your airline doesn’t provide complimentary meals, taking your own snacks on the plane will save you money. Crackers, pretzels, gummy bears dried fruit are the perfect mid flight snack.
Like snacks, water usually costs a lot more at the airport. To cheat the system, take an empty bottle and fill it at a water fountain once you have cleared security. Once you’re on the plane you can ask the flight attened it to refill the bottle.
Drinking tea is also a great way to stay hydrated mid flight. Pack a few of your favorite tea bags and ask the flight attend for a cup of boiling water - it’s complimentary.
6. Watch movie - netflix offline
Do you have a movie you’ve been meaning to watch? Perhaps a TV show you particularly like? Flying is the perfect time to set back, relax, and enjoy a good film. Whilst most airlines offer a wide selection of movies and shows to watch, it is always a good idea to be prepared and have an ipad handy. Netflix, youtube, and apple all have content which can be downloaded and enjoyed offline later. Airlines such as Virgin, Qantas and Emirates also offer inflight streaming services. Simply download the airlines inflight entertainment apps to your device before take off, and you’ll be able to access an array of movies, TV shows, podcast and music from your own device.
7. Sleep
Not only is sleep essential for arriving refreshed and full of energy when you reach your destination, it is also great way to pass time on a long-haul flight. To counter jet-lag, try and sleep at a time you would be going to sleep when you reach your destination. To assist you in sleeping, prepare yourself as you would if you were going to bed at home. Brush your teeth, wash your face, applying night cream and, if you haven’t already done so, change into comfortable clothing. If you are using sleep aid, now is the time to take it.
When you get back to sleep, put your earplugs in, sleep on a sleep mask and close your eyes. You’ll be asleep before you know it.
8. Noise cancelling headphones
Invest in a pair of Noise cancelling headphones aren’t cheap.Not only will they block out the sounds of the engine, airconditioning, and your fellow travelers, good quality headphones, when combined with earplugs, will help you sleep.
9. Plan a day or two when you have a layover
If you’re flying long distance, say Sydney to New York, chances you are going to have a layover. Take advantage of the stop and spend a couple of days enjoying the layover. Not only will it breakup the flight and help combat jet-lag, it’s also a cheap way to explore another location and layover flights are already included in the cost of your ticket. Additionally, some airlines offer reduced cost accommodation for passengers who have a layover.
10. Move around
Any long period of immobility, such as when flying, increased the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Be sure to walk the length of the plane hourly and stretch your legs. Simple exercises, such as relaxing and flexing your calf muscles, clenching your toes and rolling your ankles will also help.