Flying in comfort: Part 4

Catching up on the zzzz

If you intend to sleep on the flight, bring earplugs, eye shades, and sleeping pills. Also, try and get a seat in the ‘frequent flyer’ section, which is less likely to have chatty vacationers. Be aware that “bulkhead” can equal “babies”, although the one behind business/first class may be fine.

Seats next to emergency exits generally have more leg room, but usually do not recline. If you are up for the task of helping evacuate others in an emergency, try to request that you get a seat in the emergency exit aisle, unless you are travelling with children, who are not allowed to sit there.

Many airlines offer “sleeper service” in parts of the aircraft. In the “sleeper service” cabins, lights are extinguished after reaching cruise level. Call your airline and see if they offer that on your flight.

Bring some sort of foot elevator or use your carry-on. Airline seats are way too long in the thigh for short passengers, and you either end up hurting your back slouching to touch the ground or suffering from leg cramps because your feet are dangling in mid-air. Travel supply companies usually sell some kind of compact folding contraption for this.

Bring a travel pillow, because the armrests aren’t in the right place either. Put the pillow in your lap and rest your arms on that instead. A stuffed animal might work well too, and it’s smaller. Most Boeing planes have little wings where you put you head that you can bend forward. You can use one of those blow-up neck pillows to support your head while you sleep.

Use your blanket to ’swaddle’ your upper body and create a ‘cradle’ that pins your arms to your body, keeping them from flopping out and hitting others next to you or in the aisle. Holding one end of the blanket in one hand, tuck it under the opposite arm, then use the other hand to pull the blanket across your body and tuck in on the other side. It sounds strange, but this technique has helped on numerous transoceanic crossings.

Flying in comfort: Part 3

Tips

Go to the bathroom RIGHT before you leave. This will decrease your chances you will have to go on the plane. The bathrooms on an airplane are small, and they don’t have the most pleasant smell.

(Sudafed) to help relieve pressure in your ears during takeoff and landing. Please note, however, that if you fly to Japan or New Zealand, Sudafed and other cold cures that contain pseudoephedrine are considered controlled substances and are illegal to bring into the country. Pseudoephedrine is also an “upper”, and may prevent you from napping.

Alternative solutions to the ear pressure problem (whether or not you have a cold) include chewing gum and opening your mouth.

Pressure relieving earplugs (a brand name is EarPlanes) also help to relieve air pressure changes during flights.

Don’t worry about getting up to use the restroom often; the walking about will be good for the blood flow in your legs.

If you have a strong fear of flying or have troubles falling asleep during the flight, you could ask your doctor for a benzodiazepine medication [Valium/Xanax/Restoril(c)]. These will lower your anxiety levels and are sedating. Do not use alcohol to sleep.

If you tend to get airsick, drink a small bottle of ginger ale before boarding, carry a newspaper in your backpack, and take some lemon drops. The ginger will help calm your stomach, the smell of the newspaper will help you relax, and the lemon drops will soothe your body.

If first (or business) class isn’t completely sold out, boarding crews occasionally invite some coach class customers to move up. Your chances of this happening are best if you are dressed appropriately—this means no jeans or sweatshirts, no open-toed sandals, and no backpack or other unwieldy carry-on luggage.

Get the wax mouldable over-the-counter ear plugs. They work better than the cheap foam ones and are less expensive than the custom made ones. If you are concerned about noise, try to sit forward of the engines.

WetOnes are one of the best inventions ever: a self contained bath. They are pre-moistened anti-bacterial towelettes. They sell a small pack about the size of your palm for a couple of bucks.

Don’t use “no jet lag” pills. These are placebo (so called “homeopathic”) sorbitol pills with zero active ingredients. You will get similar results from tic-tacs.

Try downloading a few podcasts to your MP3 player before you leave. There are loads of them around, and there should be one that suits your interests. If you’re travelling alone for a while, a podcast or two should keep you company.

The last row of seats usually do not recline.

If you want earplugs but didn’t bring any, use tissue.

Armrests can be raised (even on the aisle) but some have a hidden release latch. Ask flight crew.

Short flights may take longer than driving when you consider airport parking, security lines, waiting for boarding, luggage pickup, car rental, cost, etc.

Keep a photocopy (or more) of your main passport page spread out through your luggage. If your passport is lost or stolen, having the copy will make it MUCH easier to straighten out. If your bag is misplaced, it’s more likely to be returned to you.

Bring a bag of lollipops. If you’re seated near a crying child, offer them to the parent; they make an effective silencing tool!.

Plan for airport layovers, too. They can take time, but they are also a good opportunity to stretch your legs.

Turn off all Wifi/Bluetooth/Cellular communications in your phone. Most smartphones have the aptly named airplane mode.

If the airline you are travelling with provides blankets, it is a good idea to sleep with the blanket over your head to block out light and also if you like privacy.

This may go without saying, but this does happen. DO NOT attempt to shave in a airplane!

Flying in comfort: Part 2

Contact your airline in advance to find out if they still offer free meals and potentially request a special meal. Many airlines offer vegetarian, Kosher, Halal and other “special” meals if you order up to two or three days in advance. And because the airlines have to specially prepare your meal, it is usually better than the standard food fare. Plus, passengers with special meal requests are almost always served first. If your airline doesn’t offer a free meal, be sure to bring your own or buy one at the airport.

Move around. This is especially important on longer flights, to prevent your body from aching due to poor circulation. Some airlines provide guidance on in-seat exercises you can do (such as circling ankles and stretching arms). The long mid-flight stretch on overnight flights is an excellent time to take a stroll up and down the aisle a few times. There is usually room to do some back stretches at the back of some of the cabins.

Opt to sit near the back of the aircraft for long haul routes, if you don’t mind the extra noise produced by the engines. Certain aircraft, such as the Boeing 747 series, have a large area behind the last row of seat in the back of the aircraft that give you plenty of space to stretch.

However, do not sit in the absolute rear of the plane as there will be noises and smells from people using the bathrooms and other areas in the plane’s rear.

Participate in the in-flight exercise video, should your flight provide one. These are designed to help with body circulation and reduce fatigue. If your flight does not include such a video, you can still do your own stretches and exercises.

Take steps to protect yourself from the dry air on board the plane. The air in a plane is very dry and may dehydrate your system.

Drink plenty of water. Although you can request water from your flight attendants, it is a good idea to bring plenty of water on board with you. You may either purchase bottled water once you pass security or bring an empty bottle with you to fill from a water fountain. Remember that you should never drink the water from airplane bathrooms; it may contain bacteria.

Use eye drops (eye drops may now be carried through security) whenever your eyes feel dry. If you are really uncomfortable, don’t hesitate to inform cabin crew.

Consider saline nasal gel if your nostrils feel uncomfortable breathing dry air. Saline nasal gel, which can usually be found near the saline nasal wash at a pharmacy, can help keep the inside of your nose moist and make breathing more comfortable. Apply in the restroom and wash your hands before and after. You can put it on a cotton swab and coat the inner 1/2 inch of your nasal passages. It may seem gross, but it really works for preventing your nose from painfully drying out.

Bring lip balm in a 3 oz or smaller container and use it to protect your lips from becoming painfully dry. Bring a small container of hand lotion or cocoa butter if your skin dries easily.

Always have a couple of recent magazines with you.

Take some sweets or other snacks with you. Protein bars are particularly helpful if on a long-flight. Most airline meals tend to be low in protein and high in carbohydrates.