How to Be Comfortable on a Long Airplane Trip

A long domestic or international flight can often sour what should be a pleasant holiday or business venture. These guidelines can help your necessary travel time be as comfortable and painless as possible — for you, and for your fellow travelers.

Steps

Reserve a good seat. Even within the same class and fare, some seats are far superior to others. Consider an aisle or exit row seat for leg room, or a window if you want to sleep. Try to avoid seats near the toilets/lavatories, as other passengers will be accessing these regularly. It is common on long-haul flights for there to be queues, and people walking to or from the toilets may bump or knock your seat. Also keep in mind that the noise and light that escapes when the door is opened may be disturbing, particularly when trying to sleep.

Bring something to entertain yourself. Usually, movies don’t start for some time, and the built-in music selection can be quite poor, so bring an iPod, iPad, Nintendo DS, or CD player. You could also bring a new book or portable game.

Don’t look at the time during the flight. You can’t do anything about it and the flight will feel much longer if you keep looking at the time. Don’t check your watch regularly and avoid looking at the in-flight map showing the current position of the plane.

If possible, go with an airline that offers AVOD (Audio Video on Demand), which is a TV screen in front of your seat that lets you choose what you want to watch, play or listen to.

Bring your own headphones. The headphones available on the plane (whether for purchase or for free) are usually of poor quality. Noise-cancelling headphones and in-ear headphones are great if you have them, and can help block out a big improvement.

Minimize your carry-on luggage. One backpack is fine for the plane, and it is easier to find a place in the overhead bins or under the seat for a small backpack than for a larger roller bag.

Bring a toothbrush, and anything else that isn’t a liquid or a gel – which you need to help freshen up before meeting your loved ones at the end of your long flight. They, and your neighbours in-flight, will be glad you did!

Consider bringing your own food on board if you care about taste or health. On some airlines, plane food is quite poor.

Avoiding Ear Pain

During airplane flights the ears are subjected to changes in air pressure. The middle ear is connected with the upper part of the throat by the Eustachian Tube. Its job is to equalize air pressure in the middle ear.

People often have more problems during landing. If the Eustachian tube is blocked from cold or allergies the eardrum will be stretched inward, impairing hearing and causing pain during descent. If you can’t clear your ears on the ground, you should not fly. But if you have to fly, or find yourself with ear pain once airborne, there are some things you can do.

Tips for dealing with Ear Pain:

• Try yawning or swallowing to open the Eustachian tube.

• Try chewing gum.

• With a doctor’s approval, adults can take a decongestant and/or nasal spray.

• You might try earplug-like devices called Earplanes which help regulate air pressure naturally.

• Try the Valsalva maneuver: Hold your nose and blow out gently to equalize the pressure.

Young children’s Eustachian tubes don’t function as well as in adults. Use a pacifier or bottle for babies during takeoffs and landings. Older children won’t suffer quite as much, as long as they don’t have a cold.

Beat Jet Lag

Jet lag is caused when you travel through multiple time zones. These changes in time zones confuse your body’s 24-hour inner clock – which throws off your “circadian rhythms.”

Your circadian rhythms control the timing of the release of hormones and chemicals to let you know when you should be hungry, sleepy, etc.

Symptoms of Jet lag include fatigue, insomnia, disorientation, headaches, and irregularity.

It normally takes about one day to adjust for each time zone you cross. Jet lag is often worse travelling eastward. However, flying north or south within the same time zone does not seem to cause jet lag.

Overall health, habits, and age all play a big part in how badly someone suffers from jet lag. Being well rested can help reduce its symptoms – whereas overeating, smoking and drinking alcohol can exaggerate the effects of jet lag.

Tips for dealing with Jet Lag:

• Exercise while airborne and upon arrival will help circulate your blood and you will feel rejuvenated.

• Adjust your sleep time before you leave on your trip to match your destination time zone.

• Don’t stay on your home time zone. Change your watch to your destination time zone.

• Meals high in protein stimulate wakefulness. Carbohydrate rich meals promote sleep.

• Use caffeine drinks to help you stay awake until your new bedtime at your destination.

• Eat high-fibre foods to fight constipation and avoid fatty foods.

• Drink LOTS of water.

Suburban Shopping

JUNCTION 8

9 Bishan Place

Tel: (65) 6354 9282

Nearest MRT station: Bishan (NS17)

At Bishan, the hive of activity centres around the Junction 8 Shopping Centre, a shopping and entertainment mall located in close proximity to the MRT station. Here, among the numerous fashion and gifts outlets, you’ll find the award-winning Giordano store with its excellent service and a Golden Village Cineplex.

JURONG POINT

1 Jurong West Central 2

Tel: (65) 6792 5662

Nearest MRT station: Boon Lay (EW27)

This huge 6-level shopping centre offers a good variety of stores, ranging from fashion, electronics, home furnishing, sporting equipment to bargain stores. You will also find food outlets which boast a gastronomic spread for all. Besides being a good place to enjoy great shopping in a suburban setting, it is also where the latest movies are not to be missed, at the large cineplex occupying the top level.

LOT 1 SHOPPERS’ MALL

21 Choa Chu Kang Ave 4

Tel: (65) 6762 3590

Nearest MRT station: Choa Chu Kang (NS4)

Japanese department store, Seiyu, is the anchor tenant and it shares this 5-storey complex with fashion boutiques, jewellery shops, food outlets, gift shops and a cineplex on the top level.

NORTHPOINT

930 Yishun Avenue 2

Tel: (65) 6754 2300

Nearest MRT station: Yishun (NS13)

A convenient hop across from the Yishun MRT station, the shopping centre boasts a 10-cinema cineplex as well as a wide variety of apparel, jewellry, shoes and food outlets.

NOVENA SQUARE

238 Thomson Road

Tel: (65) 6358 0700

Nearest MRT station: Novena (NS20)

Taking centrestage in a new commercial hub, Novena Square is located directly above Novena MRT Station. It spans over three levels with more than 80 shops featuring a range of products including fashion, jewellery, sportswear, cosmetics and home furnishings. Savour local delicacies at Singapore’s first Zen ambience food court or take your pick at the numerous food and beverage outlets located here, including a fully-stocked supermarket.

TAMPINES MALL

4 Tampines Central 5

Tel: (65) 6788 8370

Nearest MRT station: Tampines (EW2)

With the Japanese department store Isetan as the anchor tenant and a host of stores selling children’s apparel, ladies fashion, electrical goods, books and sports equipment, Tampines Mall has something for everyone in the family. It is also not short of food outlets to pamper your tastebuds!

TIONG BAHRU PLAZA

302 Tiong Bahru Road

Tel: (65) 6276 4686

Nearest MRT station: Tiong Bahru (NW17)

This 6-level complex above Tiong Bahru MRT station contains a cineplex, food court, Cold Storage as well as a number of Western food outlets and dozens of small specialty shops.

Suburban Shopping

If you’re prepared to venture further afield, you can combine shopping with a little off-the-beaten track sightseeing as well. In fact, you’ll discover some of the best bargains where most Singaporeans live, eat and shop – out in the heartlands of Singapore.

These suburban shopping centres offer a surprisingly comprehensive range of items from branded to electronic goods at prices to delight the value-conscious and determined bargain hunter.

Business hours vary from shop to shop but as a general guide, most shops are open from 11am to 9pm.

Town centres in the larger estates of Tampines and Bishan are easily accessible by MRT. Shopping at these bustling town centres is a fascinating experience, providing insight into the local lifestyle and a chance to mingle with Singaporeans at their most comfortable.

You also reap another benefit – the opportunity to tuck in “local style” at the numerous food centres and informal coffee shops!

CAUSEWAY POINT

1 Woodlands Square

Tel: (65) 6894 2237

Nearest MRT station: Woodlands (NS9)

Causeway Point Shopping Centre is located in the heart of Woodlands Regional Centre, next to the Woodlands MRT station. This large mall has about 250 shops and food outlets, including anchor tenants like Cathay Cineplex, Cold Storage, Horizon Food Mall, Metro and Courts.

CENTURY SQUARE

2 Tampines Central 5

Tel: (65) 6789 6261

Nearest MRT station: Tampines (EW2)

Closer to Changi Airport in Tampines are Century Square and Tampines Mall, firm favourites with residents nearby. With close proximity to the MRT station, Century Square is easily accessible from downtown and it is a great place to observe local activity. Local department store Metro, electrical appliances giant Best Denki, a cineplex and a large food court are located here, amongst other popular fashion stores.

CHANGI VILLAGE

Nearest MRT station: Tanah Merah (EW4) and take SBS bus No. 2.

You’d hardly think such a place existed in bustling Singapore – but it does. For a slightly different type of suburban shopping experience, Changi Village is the place to go for laid-back quiet surroundings. It offers a quaint charm of its own, away from the crowds and traffic for a more relaxed ambience for shopping.

Expect to find plenty of bargains for T-shirts, fishing equipment, electronics, Indian cotton clothing, batik dresses and all types of table linen.

Round off the day like everyone else who visits the village with a trip to Charlie’s for a swig of beer and some food in a rustic outdoor setting.

HOLLAND VILLAGE

Nearest MRT station: Buona Vista (EW21) and take SBS 200.

Alternatively, take SBS buses 7 or 106 from Orchard Road

Although it still has the feel of a village about it, Holland Village is one of the favourite haunts of the expatriate community and Singapore’s young and trendy.

This charming little enclave away from town has developed into a fascinating microcosm of Singaporean life. This is reflected in its curious mix of old coffee shops and ritzy wine bars; its colourful blend of foreign shops and local mixed trade as well as its many ethnic restaurants and fast-food outlets. Here you’ll find an eclectic collection of goods from straw brooms to valuable antiques and movie memorabilia. Not to be missed are its discount shops of clothes for men, women and children.

The only shopping complex, Holland Road Shopping Centre, is alive with shops selling Asian arts and crafts to electronic goods and mid-range fashionable clothes.