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What should I do on a long-haul economy flight to make it as comfortable as possible? |
Travel Info Going on a 16h+ long-haul flight. These flights always kill me. This time I want to be prepared! What should I take with me to make it comfortable? What can I take with me to pass the time? (sleeping pills, lol?) And what are your secret formulas for combating jet-lag? Travel Tips Sixteen hours in an airplane is really tough, especially if you are in economy class. The result is usually called "jet lag". The time change is part of "jet lag", but only part. For example, people experience jet lag when traveling from North America to South America even when they don't change time zones. Dehydration caused by dry air in the cabin is as important as the time change, and dehydration can be cumulative + aggravated by your environment/activities before the flight. Jet lag can be much worse on the return leg of a relatively short trip because you never really recovered from the lag incurred on the first leg. It can also be aggravated by what you do between trips. I have not found anything that eliminates jet lag, but staying hydrated helps reduce it. Water and non-carbonated liquids are best. Avoid drinking a lot of anything with caffeine, including colas. Lots of alcohol also aggravates the dehydration and you may have a hangover before the end of a long flight. Wear clothing that is comfortable. Especially avoid tight clothing or shoes - your body will swell during a long flight. Sleeping on the flight (even if it isn't very good sleep) also helps. The seats are MUCH, MUCH better in business and first class on long distance flights so upgrade if you can. If you can't upgrade, select a window seat so you can pile extra pillows & blankets against the interior of the cabin to lean against for a bit of extra comfort. A sleep mask (like www.mindfold.com) and earplugs may help you sleep. You can choose to take something to help you sleep on the plane, but try it first. Many sleep aids can make you groggy long after you need to wake up. I just use aspirin. Get up and walk around every few hours. Do some stretching exercises - there is usually room by the exterior doors. Airlines really try to provide good in-flight entertainment on long distance flights. The airline鈥檚 website may list the films & music available and may even give the menu. However, you can鈥檛 absolutely count on the in-flight entertainment. Bring one or more books that you have started and know you like. It is really annoying to open a new book on a flight and realize you don't find it interesting. Things like an I-Pod, Gameboy or PSP, MP3 player, and non-electronic options like crossword puzzles are a good idea. If you have a long layover during the trip, check with the airline(s) to see if you can purchase ($25 to $50) a 1-day pass to their airport lounge. Lounges offer a comfortable, safe place to wait between flights and refreshments are included in the membership. Some lounges even have showers (a Godsend after a long flight). Delta's Crown Room and United's Red Carpet Club are examples. You may be wasted when you get to your destination, even if you fly business or first class. Don't schedule anything important the day you get there. At least try to avoid driving a car - take taxis. Speed your body's adjustment to local time by living on the local schedule: Stay awake until local bedtime at your destination and stay in bed until local morning. If you absolutely must take a nap make sure you don't sleep more than 3 hours. Eat meals at the normal local time. And so on. It still takes me 1 day per hour of time change to fully adjust (a 7 hour time difference takes me a full week to get over). Source(s): Lifetime frequent flier Other Travel Tips One of the earlier Tom Clancy novels. 16 hrs will pass quickly as you turn the pages. Make sure to get an exit row seat on the aisle and get up often (danger of blood clots from sitting in the same position on long flights is very real) - make sure you have a very good book to read, if you are an avid reader; or a personal DVD player and a favorite movie (or 3)- they still let you carry them on, right? Carry on dry snacks and buy your water on the plane. Also, make sure you have one of those handy-dandy neck pillows and dress for the flight. Very comfy slacks (or sweats) and a short sleeved shirt with a long sleeved shirt or light sweater over it - so you can adjust for the plane's temperature. Dramamine puts me to sleep (don't buy the non-drowsy kind) - 'nuff said? Jet lag - if it's possible sleep away most of your first day at your destination & set your wake-up call for their early morning. Get out in the sunlight ASAP after waking to reset your inner clock - sometimes works / sometimes not. Enjoy! Sixteen hours is tough... anything over four hours increases chances of blood clots. It's hard to move in a crowded cabin, but I find isometrics help: tighten up muscles against each other and relax 'em, especially legs. Agree with suggestion of a good book or two and puzzles, if you like. Though I find the plane too noisy to enjoy music, maybe well-sealing earphones would help -- just keep down the volume to avoid disturbing others. Have a good trip, and think of the destination... |
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