If you have a long flight coming up, you may be feeling dread for what’s to come. Inconvenient bathrooms, unpleasant foods and tight quarters all make flying economy class a rough experience. The discomfort only grows with the length of your flight.
It may feel like the only way to guarantee any comfort on a long-haul flight is to pay the extreme prices for first class or cross your fingers that you can get upgraded. With how expensive flights are these days, both goals are unlikely.
There are, however, tricks you can use to make a long-haul flight more comfortable from any seat, all without any extra cost to you.
Eat healthy before and during
Flying impacts your body in many unique ways, and because of that, what you eat before and during a flight is crucial to your comfort.
“You might find you tend to be more bloated or gassy,” senior nutritionist at Holland & Barrett, Ellie Birch, told Condé Nast Traveler. “Think about when your ears pop on a plane, your digestive system is experiencing a very similar thing.”
You should avoid beverages like alcohol and coffee, which can be dehydrating, and stay away from salty snacks before a flight.
Consider a seat towards the back of the plane
For frequent fliers, this tip may seem counterintuitive. However, there are benefits to sitting in the back of a plane for a long-haul flight.
“If you’re flying with an airline like Southwest that doesn’t have assigned seats, you might have better luck claiming a row to yourself or at least an empty seat next to you in the back,” Travel + Leisure recommended. “Also, being in the back lets you watch which rows don’t fill up ahead of you, so you can claim one of the emptier ones after everyone is seated.”
Adjust your sleep pattern leading up to the flight
Flying can wreak havoc on your sleeping patterns, and in some cases, can ruin the first days of your trip as you re-adjust. Adjusting your sleep pattern beforehand is a great way to combat this.
Travel + Leisure recommends a few 4 a.m. wakeups and 7 p.m. bedtimes, while making sure you are 100% rested when you arrive at the airport.
Pack a nasal spray
The shift in air pressure and low humidity on flights can cause the discomfort in your sinuses people often feel when flying, according to Travel + Leisure.
To combat this, pack a decongestant nasal spray in your flight carryon and spray in your nostrils before takeoff and landing.
De-stress before boarding
Before you get into the cramped space that is a plane seat, it is important to destress in your own way.
Schedule one of your favorite workout classes in the morning before your flight. If you don’t have enough time for that on travel day, instead walk a few laps around your airport terminal and make sure to calm your system as much as possible.
Befriend the crew
The crew of long-haul flight are some of the only people you will talk to for hours. It is smart to not only be kind, but to also try to befriend these people.
They may give you preferential treatment - and might even slip you some extra snacks.
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