Top Tips For Long Flights

Ok, here we go… Every frequent flyer has many tips to share with other travelers. I think we all do our best to make it easier for the next guy.  Here are my Top Tips For Long Flights!

Get enough sleep. I try really, really hard to do this before early morning flights. Unfortunately, I am usually not too successful. I’m usually just too excited about my upcoming trip, and everything relating to it is competing in my brain for my attention.

Sleep on the plane. In most cases, I end up doing this for several hours. This one can take some prep if you are a light sleeper as I am. I like the window for sleeping. It provides a little more stability… Of course if you don’t mind getting cozy with your fellow passengers, then definitely pick a middle or aisle seat! Nothing like a good shoulder to lean on right? On shorter flights, I don’t bother with a neck pillow, but I recommend using one for long flights. Your neck and back will thank you later. Eye sleep masks and earplugs are a great if you just want to block everything out! Don’t worry about how you look… If you’re that worried about fashion, draw some eyes on your mask!

Hydrate. However tempting it might be to have a drink, as in alcohol, I avoid it. Water is my first choice, and tea is nice if you want a warm drink. Bring your own individual bags if you like herbal teas and want to avoid caffeine. Just ask for some hot water. You will feel less sluggish once you arrive at your destination.

Don’t carry on that much. Think about your comfort level, and how long your flight is. Suddenly, the extra fees for checking your luggage won’t seem too bad. There is nothing worse than trying to figure out where to cram all your stuff. I for one like my legroom, and I’m not very tall!

Just carry the necessities. Make sure too bring a small toiletry case, with toothpaste (it’s a long flight!), hand lotion, and lip balm. I find myself getting dry while I fly… Once again, I emphasize the importance of staying hydrated. Sanitizing wipes are a must-have, cause you just never know what kind of germs are lingering around! Aspirin, ibuprofen, and throat lozenges are a good idea too.

Entertainment. iPads or other tablets are always a good choice, especially if your traveling with the kiddos. They provide hours of entertainment… Just be sure to charge your batteries before you leave! Inflight TV offers movies on DIRECTV. Bring your own headphones, or get some from the airline. Just swipe your card, and you’re good to go! If you’re not a techie, there are always books and magazines. I usually bring a book too. I zip through magazines way to fast. I’ll blame my self-diagnosed Adult ADD for that one!

Eating. I try to eat something light before any flight. I’m not a fan of eating on a plane, or the food that is usually available. For longer flights, I like to pack my own sandwich, roll-up, fruit and some sort of snack. If you do choose to bring food onto the plane just be conscious of your neighbors… They will be suffering from the stink of the onions, that you just had to add onto your burger, long after it is gone! Being aware of our neighbors brings me to my next tip…

Snacks. I saved this one for last. Who doesn’t love a snack? We all do of course! There are so many to choose from. So, the next time you have to make that choice,  please consider your neighbor. The child or the adult sitting next to you may suffer from a life threatening peanut allergy. Shockingly, people don’t take this seriously enough, and I am quite appalled by the lack of concern and behavior exhibited by normally intelligent adults.

I have family with small children that fear traveling. Two trips have come to a quick end due to a random peanut. Rather than use the trash, someone tossed it on the ground where the children were playing. Thankfully, the children were removed from the situation in time, and no EpiPen was needed.

Nobody should ever have to experience a loved one going into anaphylactic shock or using an EpiPen to save them, praying the whole time that they won’t die.

You won’t die if you don’t eat peanuts for a few hours, but someone else might.

If you’d like to learn more, check out The No Nut Traveler. It’s a great resource for flying with food allergies, and provides current information to help create more public awareness. It will provide a view into the world of what it’s like to travel with life threatening allergies.