Long flights have always been considered both an interesting experience, but also something annoying, as people are required to spend a good amount of hours staying on the same seat, with limited place for movement. This can cause many long flights to become burdens and uncomfortable. Are you planning for an upcoming trip that will require you to be on a plane for a long period of time? Do you fly often for business trips or pleasure but find that the long flights are becoming more difficult to handle? Fortunately, there are ways to reduce stress and be comfortable even on long flights and these methods can also be used without a big cost to your pocket.
Choosing the right seat
When you are planning to travel overseas or to a destination that will require you to be on a plan for an extended period of time, choosing the right seat is key to being comfortable. One option that you may think about is paying for the first or business class, if you have the money to spring for the extra cost. The benefits of choosing one of these classes when travelling on an airplane not only include ample leg room, but also other benefits such as wider seats, great drinks, an extensive food service as often as you require, but also alcoholic beverages. With most of the airlines operating at the moment, first class or business class passengers are also the first ones to board the plane, ensuring that you have enough time to properly store your things away and be seated, so you’re comfortable before the rest of the passengers are brought onto the plane.
If you cannot afford first or business class don’t fret as there are still a couple of options that are available and can be used in order to get access to a better seat. In the economy class, there usually is a limited amount of seats that have a bit more leg room than the normal seats. This extra space comes at an average price of $20 – $30 which is well worth the money if you plan on being on a plane for a longer duration of time. Selecting a seat in the main front or back may also give you extra room for your feet and elbow space. Smart practice also includes picking seats that are close to the emergency exists, are they also provide more leg space without additional charges, but one possible reason not to do so is the fact that passengers seated there usually have no window to look at and also have to be more careful in the unfortunate case that the emergency exit is needed for any reason whatsoever.
Packing light for the flight
When you are traveling, it can be a hassle to tug along tons of bags, so a great tip to follow in order to make yourself feel more comfortable on a long flight is to only pack what you need and, if possible double check your bags that you are not stuck lugging around a large suitcase all day or taking up valuable space for yourself. All airlines have a required size for luggage to be accepted on board, so make sure that you check the sizes before boarding to ensure that you won’t have any issues storing it above or below your seat.
Bring goodies and other necessities
Being comfortable isn’t just about having space, but having enough snacks to keep you from being hungry and other items to keep you entertained. You may want to consider packing a small bag that includes some of your favorite snacks, music, books and other small items that will help you relax and enjoy your flight. Being nice and asking the inflight assistants for a few snacks is also a good idea to follow, as chances are that you’ll be brought some goodies from the airplane’s kitchen.
Many airlines now even offer on board Internet, so bringing along your laptop or device which offers the possibility of establishing an Internet connection is a wise thing to do, as it can greatly reduce the boredom resulted from long flights.
Pack and dress properly if you’re planning to take a nap during your flight
If you plan to sleep on your long flight, you may want to wear comfortable clothes based on the season that you’re currently in, so that you make sure that you do not feel too hot or too cold. If the weather is warm you may choose to bring a light jacket just in case you get cold. For colder months, make sure to dress warm and even consider bringing a small blanket with you. For cramped flights, you may also consider bringing a small pillow or neck pillow which can be picked up from most travel stores to help keep you comfortable while you rest or sleep.
The tips that have been outlined above only represent a low number of the wide variety of things that can be done even on long flights. If you’re lucky enough to have someone worth speaking to sitting in the seat next to you, take advantage of that as it can easily help in making new friends and passing time as well. In general, don’t overthink about relaxing on a longer flight, as chances are that you’ll get to your destination faster than you expected in the first place.
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