8 Ways To Prepare For Your First Long Haul Flight
If you don’t happen to be one of those maniacs who enjoys a long haul flight, then the prospect of having to endure one can be daunting. However, there are a few ways that you can make life easier for yourself that don’t involve taking out a morgage to fly first class.
Moisturiser
Simple but effective, the air inside a plane is like Stephen Fry’s humour: famously dry. This affects everyone and can be even worse if you have sensitive skin so a (regulations sized (check with your airline) tube of moisturiser can go a long way to improving your comfort. As well as that, the people who meet you meet when you arrive at your destination will wonder how you manage to look so young with your busy schedule.
Water, Drink Plenty
On the continuing theme of planes being dry, a small bottle of water is handy to have. You actually loose a surprising amount of water while flying, on a 10 hour flight men can loose around 2 litres and women 1.6 litres. So staying topped up throughout is a good idea.
Bring Your Own Headphones
First of all, headphones not earphones; that's a personal vendeta of mine. Second of all, bring your own. Airlines will supply you with a set if you need them but usually at a markup that could pay for another seat on the plane and the same goes for the airport shops. Ideally, you’ll want a comfortable pair that are noise cancelling so you aren’t distracted or annoyed by the noise around you.
A Smile Goes A Long Way
This one isn’t mine, it belongs wholly to Travels Of Adam. Being kind to the staff and crew you interact with can do wonders to improve your journey.
Don’t Get Addicted To Where The Flight Is
The screen you watch movies on will probably have the option to view the live location of the plane on a map. Now this is cool, some even tell you the altitude and speed. BUT forget about it. It can become addictive to keep checking where you are. Like watching a clock, it’ll make the flight so much longer than getting into a film or sleeping.
Basic Pain Killers
It’s noisy, stuffy, dry, you sit for long periods of time and can’t exactly step outside for fresh air. Flying can cause headaches, cramps and exacerbate colds and toothaches. If you’re concerned about anything severe, speak to your doctor, don’t consult this blog. BUT if you’re like me and are prone to headaches, then a couple of pain killers can be a life saver.
What’s on the menu?
Most airlines are able to tell you what food and drink is available on your flight and for your class. Long haul journeys usually have free meals and refreshments over the course of the flight. In addition to the prescribed meals, there is typically a variety of supplemental drinks and nibbles for purchase once on the plane. Checking this out beforehand is advisable If you have any specific dietary requirements and if you don’t get the info you need, contact the airlines well in advance and they’ll help you out.
Here are the experience/food pages of some major airlines:
Comfy Clothes and Small Shoes
I’ve learnt from my own mistakes on this one; was wearing comfortable clothes but stupidly wore boots… so wear shoes that are comfy, not clunky and feel free to take them off during the flight.
