Surviving Long-Haul Flights - 7 Secrets
If you have ever taken a long-haul flight - one lasting anywhere from 4 to 17 or more hours - the prospect of taking another one anytime soon is likely not very appealing. If your upcoming long-haul flight will be a first, take heart in the fact that millions of people have gone before you, even if having become mentally, emotionally, and physically drained in the process.
The good news is that some of the more experienced travelers among us have learned to actually make these flights bearable. While a long-haul flight is almost never a picnic, the seven secrets I share with you below give you the tools to make the most of your flight. I have learned these secrets during my business and personal travels to over 30 countries around the world.
Secret #1: Book an aisle seat: Booking an aisle seat is a stroke of master planning that is often only considered by the most seasoned of long-haul travelers. Of course, the kid in you may want the window seat to watch the little cars that look like ants when you take off and land. But, my friendly advice is to resist the temptation to book anything but an aisle seat. Reason: precious, precious space. Anytime you board an airplane you are by default heavily restricted in terms of personal space. But, by booking an aisle seat, at least one side of your body will be free to gesture, swivel, and otherwise move freely about the cabin.
Secret #2: Pack your own headphones: There are three good reasons to pack your own headphones for your journey. First, the airline-issued headphones are of extremely limited sound quality. Second, their headphones often do not fit very well, in my case always resulting in an earache after just ten minutes. Finally, by using the airline-issued pair you are putting recycled headphones into your ears already used by total strangers: need I say more?
Secret #3: Drink up to one liter of water 10 minutes before you board: It is fairly common knowledge that people get dehydrated on long-haul flights, so my suggestion to drink water is likely no surprise. But, if you wait until you board, the first chance you will get to drink liquids will be after you are in the air for an hour or more. So, pre-flight hydration is key. I suggest drinking as much water as you think you can hold comfortably for over an hour. By drinking it 10 minutes before you board you wont have to use the lavatory just after boarding, which is not often convenient anyway.
Secret #4: Bring three forms of entertainment: Long flights are a challenge for the mind at least as much as they are for the body. So, outsmart your brain by keeping yourself occupied. Popular diversions include: portable DVD player, portable music player, fiction or non-fiction books, a new magazine, a pack of gum, a sudoku book, a crossword puzzle, and travel or phrase books that prepare you for your destination.
Secret #5: Pack your own snacks: This one is self-explanatory but so important and often forgotten. I like to bring light snacks that are non-crumbly since there is nothing like getting off of the plane to see relatives or business partners while sporting cracker crumbs on your shirt or chocolate smears on your pants (yes, it can happen to you, too). I suggest granola, hard candy, non-bready crackers, and the like.
Secret #6: Take every opportunity to get up and move about: Use any excuse you can think of to get up frequently during the flight and walk around: go to the lavatory, get up to ask a flight attendant for a glass of water, or just make up a reason. On most airlines you are allowed to go to the very rear of the plane and cross to the opposing main aisle, so effectively you can sneak in a full lap or two before annoying too many of your fellow passengers.
Secret #7: Bring a journal: Writing in a journal offers you the opportunity to actually take advantage of your long-haul flight. Here you are taking a potentially life-changing vacation, going on an important business trip, or seeing relatives whom you have not visited in a long time: why not take advantage of the fresh perspective you can gain through access to a wellspring of creative ideas about your personal life or business? Taking your journal on your long-haul flight may not only help you to pass the time: you just might end up with some fresh perspectives on your life by the time you land.
Enjoy your next trip more by saving money! Learn the secrets to cheap travel as told by a tell-all travel agent at my site: http://www.dont-sugar-coat-it.com
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