How To Combat A Long Flight
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

How To Combat A Long Flight

The best advice to survive that long flight.

5
How To Combat A Long Flight
Ashleigh Lemelin

Long flights aren’t fun for anyone. There’s nothing grand about sitting on a plane for hours with crying children, dry air, and uncomfortable seats. The outcome, however, is more than worth it. After taking many long flights and planning more in the future, I’ve learned the ins and outs of what to do and what not to do.


1. If you’re taking a flight into a different time zone, try to adjust your sleep schedule ahead of time. Obviously if you have big things planned up until your trip then you cannot adjust your sleep schedule. If you can go to sleep earlier or wake up earlier it will pay off in the end. You’ll be either adjusted to their time or close to adjusted. This will help you in the long run. This can help reduce jet lag and will help prevent you from being tired for any plans you have while on your trip. The day of the flight make sure you’re tired. If this means pulling an all-nighter – do it. You’ll be thankful for it later. The flight will pass much faster if you sleep while on the plane. Bring a little face mask, and ear plugs to help drown out the light and noises.

2. Don’t forget to pack snacks. Plane food is never good and sometimes they run out of one of the options and you get stuck with something you don’t want. Make sure to bring travel-sized food to help ease your hunger until you can get something decent.

3. Make sure you stay hydrated on the flight. Drink plenty of water before and during the flight. Unfortunately, this means you must get up more often to use the restroom, but it will be worth it in the end. By staying hydrated you won’t be as tired once landing. The air is also very dry on the plane so it will help keep your skin hydrated as well. I would also pack a small travel sized lotion just in case you are prone to dry skin.

4. Make sure you pack any medications you will need during your flight because you won’t have access to your checked luggage. If you get headaches often make sure you have some type of painkiller with you always. Also, pack anything you may want for entertainment on the plane such as a laptop, or other electronics. I also pack a blanket and small neck pillow. International flights usually supply you with these but on the off chance that they don’t you’ll be prepared.

5. Lastly, if you prefer a specific seat, check online to see if there are any open seats that may be to your liking. You can usually switch seats online to get one that is best for you. In my travels, I’ve found pros and cons to each seat.

If you are in the window seat: you don’t have to keep getting up, you control the window and whether it is open or closed, you can see all the magnificent views outside and you can lean against the window to sleep. The cons to this seat are that you must make everyone get up if you must use the bathroom. If you have to use the bathroom often, this seat is not for you. It’s also very difficult to get out of this seat because there is very little space between the seats.

Aisle seats are useful to those that need to use the bathroom often. You can get up whenever you want to or need to without being a hassle. The downside is that everyone is going to make you get up if they have to go to the bathroom.

My recommendation is to go for the last row of the plane, the middle row but aisle seat. This seems to be a good pick. There is no one sitting behind you so no one will be hitting the back of your chair. You are right near the restrooms if you need to use them. There is a little standing area if you need to stretch your legs. Also, if there are two aisle seats then the person in the middle may alternate sides and make you only get up one time throughout the flight.

These are some things I have found most helpful to me throughout my experience flying.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

57425
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37000
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

958742
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

190810
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments