What’s the longest time you’ve spent on an airplane? Growing up close to one of the largest airports in the world, I had the privilege of some exotic direct flights. My family is from Nigeria so ATL-Lagos was a common occurrence (12 Hours). I’ve traveled to Johannesburg, South Africa (16 Hours). And my latest trip- The FIFA Men’s World Cup in Qatar- was ATL-Doha(14 Hours). Honestly, I don’t mind a long flight (and this is coming from an economy flier)! But I can only enjoy the experience if I’m thoroughly prepared. If you’re planning a long flight, preparation can make the most of your travel time and allow you to arrive at your destination feeling refreshed and ready to go. Here’s how to beat jet lag and be comfortable on a long flight.
Choose your seat wisely. When booking your flight, take the time to choose a seat that will be comfortable for you. Consider factors like legroom, proximity to the bathroom, and whether the seat reclines. I like to choose window seats so I have something to lean against while sleeping. However, I’ll only choose this if I’m sitting by people I know. I get up way too many times to go to the bathroom in between and stretch. So keep the varying factors in mind! Some airlines allow you to choose your seat for an additional fee, or you can use a service like SeatGuru to help you find the best seat on your flight.
Dress comfortably. On a long flight, you’ll want to wear loose, comfortable clothing that won’t restrict your movement or make you feel too warm. Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes or shoes, and opt for layers that you can easily add or remove depending on the temperature on the plane.
Bring entertainment. A long flight can be boring, so it’s a good idea to bring along some entertainment to help pass the time. You also don’t want to rely on the screens on the back of the seats. Sometimes they can malfunction and then you’ll be stuck with nothing to do for 12 hours… not fun. This could include a book, a tablet or laptop with some movies or TV shows downloaded, a portable game console, or a deck of cards for playing games. If you’re looking for book suggestions for your next flight, start HERE.
Sure they provide you with a blanket and pillow. But besides sanitary concerns, they rarely get the job done in terms of comfort. Bringing your own blanket and back pillow also allows you to reuse them for the rest of your trip!
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Perhaps the most important of my long flight tips. Wanna beat jet lag? Try to get some rest during your long flight. This can help you arrive at your destination feeling refreshed and ready to go. If you’re able to sleep on planes, you’re the chosen one. Apparently bringing 3 fans, a dehumidifier, lavender essential oils, and candles are *frowned upon*. So I don’t always have the best luck without these sleeping aids below.
When it comes to neck pillows, the thicker, the better… bonus points if it has a fastener (so it doesn’t shift while you sleep)! There is nothing worse than having a stiff neck AND jet lag.
If you wish you could sleep on a plane but never seem to make it happen, it’s because you’re missing a black-out eye mask. You’re guaranteed to rest better and feel more refreshed after a travel day, even if you don’t make it into a rem cycle.
Like most people, I’ve started to take my health when traveling seriously since the pandemic. As someone with an autoimmune disease, I can’t take risks. I used to get sick after traveling but that hasn’t been the case since 2020! Now, I never step foot into an airport without an N95. I stock up on vitamin C tablets and keep medicine in my carry-on. You can also pack Lysol wipes to sanitize your seat and tray table before sitting down.
A lot of blog posts sharing long-flight tips suggest compression socks, but I prefer moving around. Sitting in one position for an extended period of time can be uncomfortable and can even lead to blood clots. To prevent this, make sure to get up and move around the cabin periodically. Take a walk up and down the aisle, do some stretching exercises in your seat, or simply stand up and stretch your legs. Yes, you can also wear compression socks but now you’ve got options!
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