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.

Travel do’s and don’ts: Part 2

3. At the Airport

Upon check-in, inquire about sitting in an exit row or the bulkhead seats for extra legroom.

Bring your own meal unless you enjoy paying the airport’s astronomical restaurant prices for mediocre cafeteria food, or eating the airline’s “plastic” meals.

Sending film through the x-ray machines at the security check is perfectly safe. As long as the film is under ASA 800, it does not need to be hand-inspected.

If travelling as a twosome, ask for a window and an aisle seat, leaving the middle seat empty. Chances are if the flight is not full, you will have the entire row to yourselves. However, if the flight were full, most likely the person sitting in the middle would be more than willing to switch seats for a window or aisle one.

Ask for a seat in the back of the plane. You will avoid the long lines because airline personnel board the rear passengers first. In case of an accident, your survival rate is statistically greater.

If your luggage has been damaged in any shape or form, report it to airline personnel immediately. In most instances, the airline will pay for the repairs when you fill out their claim forms. In the event your luggage cannot be fixed, you will receive a replacement of comparable value.

Lost luggage compensation on international flights is a maximum of $640 per bag.

Cab rides from the airport cost twice as much as the going rate in the opposite direction. Unless rates are posted, bargain with the driver before getting into the taxi.

4. In-Flight Activities

Travelling during the daylight hours is less tiring than travelling in the evenings on an overnight flight. It is easier to “trick” your body out of jetlag.

Try to keep your blood circulating properly by walking around the plane on an average of once every hour.

Drink plenty of water.

Skip alcohol entirely. Drinking leads to dehydration.

Use moisturizer and lotions on long flights. Skin tends to dry out easily.

Bring eye drops because “cabin eye” is common due to poor ventilation.

5. Customs/Immigration

Be sure to have all pertinent forms filled out prior to flight arrival. This will alleviate waiting time while going through customs and immigration.

If your are crossing borders by land, make sure to have all the appropriate documents prior to leaving such as a tourist card, visa, or exit/entry stamp; otherwise, be prepared to face stiff penalties upon returning to your original destination.

For all you independent travellers out there – be warned: the fact of the matter is tour groups receive special treatment, and clear through customs in a more expedient manner.

If you have travelled significantly on an international level, your passport will be heavily scrutinized, especially if you are travelling alone. Remember that customs agents are always on the lookout for suspicious-looking characters such as drug dealers and felons. If for some reason you bear any physical resemblance to a Most Wanted criminal, be prepared for thorough interrogation.

The more stamps you have in your passport, the more you become a suspicious and vulnerable target for questioning.

If you are a solo female traveller, it is a guarantee that you will be questioned about your travel intentions. Remember in most “conservative” regions, such as Asia and the Middle East, women do not have the freedom, independence and financial means to travel as we do in the Western world.

Flashes of jewelry and expensive designer luggage increase your chances of being searched.

Keep all receipts of your purchases in an organized fashion. This will alleviate and shorten the time spent with the customs officer. If you exceed the usual $400 per person limit in the U.S., you will need to pay an additional 10% tax on the next $1,000 in purchases.