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!

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.