Six Ways To Make Your Long Flight Suck Less

Well, Gregg and I are finally headed to the UK for our wedding and honeymoon! We have a loooooong international, red-eye flight ahead of us, so we’re doing everything possible to make the trip comfortable. We know we’re going to need to sleep on the flight, and normally melatonin does the job for me. But, Gregg is not a good airplane sleeper, so he went to his doctor and got some sleeping medication to help things along. We won’t be asleep the whole time, so I’ve put together some ideas to make our international flight suck less. I hope this helps you too!

Are you getting ready to set off on a big cross-country or international trip? Chances are, you’re heading to the airport to fly to your final destination. Most of us have to fly to get from point A to point B, but it’s no secret that flying commercially isn’t the most comfortable way to get from one place to the next. Crammed into too-small seats and offered peanuts and pretzels as sustenance (if you’re lucky!) means it’s pretty much on you to make your experience as pleasant as possible. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to make your long flight suck less.

Here are a few of my favorite tips to make air travel as pleasant as possible:

1 – Stay entertained. Don’t board the plane hoping the in-flight magazine will be enough to keep you busy. Download a few new playlists and podcasts to your phone, and save your favorite shows from Netflix to watch in offline mode. If you prefer old-school in-flight distractions, bring a book of crossword puzzles or word searches to keep you distracted in the air. And if you plan on taking advantage of the in-flight entertainment system, make sure your Bluetooth-enabled headphones are compatible (if not, you can usually buy some on the plane)!

2 – Hydrate. The recirculated air on the plane won’t do much to keep you hydrated. Instead, you’ll want to drink lots of water combat the drying effects of being up in the sky. I always buy a large bottle of water in the airport before I board my flight. Don’t forget to hydrate your skin, too. Use a good lip balm to keep your lips from drying and apply lotion regularly to your face and hands to combat cracked skin. I bought Renee Rouleau’s Pro Remedy Oil to apply over my regular Emme Diane moisturizer and sunscreen, to keep my skin from drying out. Another bonus tip I learned from Renee Rouleau – wear sunscreen and try to keep the window shades down to avoid massive UV ray skin damage.

3 – Pack smart snacks. Carrying a slice of pizza, a sandwich, or some other smelly food from the terminal onto the plane isn’t the best way to stay nourished on your long flight – and it certainly isn’t a good way to make friends with the person sitting next to you. Instead, be thoughtful and find foods that will taste great in the air while still offering solid nutritional value. Trail mix, protein bars, fruit bars, and pita chips can make great snacks in the skies. Gregg and I went to our local health food store and loaded up on healthy snacks for our trip.

4 – Be comfortable. Planes aren’t super comfortable to begin with, so you’ll want to do everything you can to feel as relaxed and at ease as possible in the air. Wear loose, non-restrictive clothing that won’t cut off your circulation or leave you squirming in your seat. Bring a jacket or a cardigan to layer up in case it gets chilly, and consider a neck pillow if you know you’ll want to get some rest before you reach your destination. I bought this neck pillow wrap thingie for our trip. I like that it doesn’t take up much space, keeps my neck warm, and lets me lean to the side to sleep while sitting up.

5 – Anticipate potential headaches. When you’re packing your carry-on, put some thought into the things you might need while you’re on your flight. Know your ears are going to pop? Pack some gum to combat the uncomfortable sensation. Worried you’ll get a migraine? Throw some headache meds into your carry-on. Bring a portable charger to keep all of your devices juiced up. I really like the MyCharge portable charger – it’s a little pricy but I love that I can plug it into a wall outlet to recharge it, instead of needing to be near a computer for USB charging. A little planning can save you a big headache later on when you’re out of luck mid-flight.

6 – Be kind. Most people aren’t too thrilled to be in the air for hours at a time, and patience can wear thin as you grow closer to your destination. You might be forced to cope with crying babies, overly-talkative neighbors, clogged toilets, and other inconveniences that flyers dread. It’s important to remember that you’re in control of your mood and your mindset – not your environment – and to take steps to stay positive and enjoy the experience.

Equip yourself with these six tips and you’ll be well on your way to enjoying your long flight as much as it’s possible. How do you get ready to preserve your sanity when you know you’re facing a long flight? Leave a comment and let me know!