Recently, I've had to experience shopping and packing for a flight to Hawaii. I took a connecting flight from where I live to Dallas, and then another flight to Honolulu. A total of 12 hours. I incorrectly packed for my journey there, but, have since changed my ways on those long, dreadful, depressing flights back! Here’s what you'll need so you can avoid that painful, long, exciting flight:
During your next flight, to guarantee comfort and sleep while avoiding drowsiness, sickness or anxiety, you'll need all of the items below:
1. iPod/mp3 player + headphones. Drowns out other noises and cancels out some of air that causes your ears to pop.
2. A portable DVD player with DVDs/ Nintendo/tablet/laptop. Distracts you from constantly looking out of your window wondering when you’ll really land. On some airlines you have to pay for headsets, and even then you cannot see the mini televisions they install above the middle row's seats. If you have a window seat, you most likely will not have the luxury to look at the screens since they are far away. Even if you can it is so unnecessarily far.
3. I would say bring your cell phone for decent airplane photos, however where in the world would you get reception unless you pay that wireless Internet fee they offer? Be prepared to not be able to access WiFi at all. When going to a place like Hawaii, American Airlines didn't offer it.
4. Comfortable clothes and deodorant. Wear them even though i know you want to look cute, let's face it, you feel special and so you want to look flawless.
5. Bring a deck of cards, play war or something. Trust me the time flies by when you are having fun.
6. A book or magazine with lots of gossip you just cannot get enough of
7. If you are anything like me, a light sleeper, young, and excited. You’ll need some medication. Try Advil PM, nighttime sleep aid, or equate ibuprofen PM caplets. Whether it's early in the morning or late at night, you will want to sleep. You’ll probably think “Oh oh yeah? Pshhhh what? I’ll have no problem sleeping!”
8. If the boarding time for your flight is after stores open at the airport (after early, early morning or before nighttime) consider buying healthy snacks for the plane ride because, believe me, flying can be difficult without snacks—deadly even. This will happen after you get past security and all of your bags are checked. Do not bring food to the airport. Buy it there! Buying food off of an airplane can be rather expensive. Trust me, their options are very limited.
