Long-haul flights don’t have to be painfully dull with these genius travel hacks.
Traveling to and from your final destination can be the most stressful and tedious part of vacationing. Cramped conditions, gross food, and uncomfortable seating are some downsides to extended time in the air.
These are the best ways to maximize travel time and make long flights less painful.
Use Compression Socks
Sitting in one position for prolonged periods increases your risk of blood clots. Compression socks increase blood flow to prevent swelling and prevent potential health issues.
Put the socks on at home or immediately before boarding so you won’t struggle to get them on in a cramped airplane seat. There’s no time limit for wearing compression socks, so keep them on for your entire flight and remove them once you reach your final destination.
Practice Self Care
A long-haul flight is the perfect excuse to indulge in self-care practices. Massage your finger joints with your favorite hand cream to release tension.
Apply a calming face mask to restore your natural glow and help you look more awake. You could even pack a portable nail kit to walk off the airplane with a fresh new manicure.
Wear Noise-Canceling Headphones
Elevate your airplane experience with noise-canceling headphones. These are essential investments for frequent fliers who want to block out background noise. Slip on a pair of headphones and instantly escape to quiet bliss.
Check-In Early
Checking in early for your flight via your airline’s website or app minimizes last-minute worrying. Many airlines allow you to choose your seat upon check-in if the plane has space. You’ll also receive the most updated flight information and usually gain access to your boarding pass, which saves time at the airport.
Download Entertainment
While some airlines offer in-flight entertainment during your journey, you should arrive prepared with pre-downloaded content. Sometimes, the airplane screens and WiFi may be unavailable due to technical issues. Saving music, podcasts, audiobooks, and videos you can access in airplane mode will give you peace of mind.
Keep Devices Charged
You don’t want to risk your phone or tablet dying mid-flight. A dead device can significantly impact your travels, especially if you rely on digital boarding passes. Pack a portable battery pack and charging cables to keep everything fully juiced for your journey.
Bring Sleeping Gear
Bring the appropriate travel accessories if you plan to sleep on the flight. Neck pillows are a staple, but you can also bring a regular one for extra comfort. Compact travel blankets that fit in your carry-on bag are also helpful for staying warm and snuggling up.
Dress Comfortably
Dressing for relaxation is one of the best ways to make long-haul flights enjoyable. While you may reach for your favorite jeans or high heels, there’s nothing wrong with lounge pants and comfortable travel shoes.
Choose a loose and cozy outfit for standing, sitting, and walking. Avoid tight clothes that make you feel restricted, especially since you may experience swelling from pressure changes and dehydration.
Relax Beforehand
Do your best to keep stress levels low before boarding the plane. Arrive at the airport well ahead of time to get your boarding pass and luggage situated. Enjoy a satiating meal, listen to calming music, and go into the experience with a positive mindset.
Pack an Eye Mask
An eye mask is a must-have when flying for an extended period. Wearing one can help prevent headaches and eye fatigue caused by constant strain. Regardless of the time of day, you can catch up on sleep and wake up feeling well-rested with an eye mask.
Stay Hydrated
Though you may want to be conscious of taking bathroom breaks on an airplane, staying hydrated is essential. It’s easy to become dehydrated when flying since planes have relatively low humidity. Not consuming enough water throughout the flight can dry your throat, eyes, nose, and skin.
Freshen Up Midway
Take some time to refresh yourself midway through the journey. Makeup wipes, dry shampoo, and eye drops can make you feel like an entirely new person when you step off the plane. Spending a few minutes freshening up can significantly impact your overall mood and give you a more positive experience.
Maximize Your Time
Make the most of your airplane time by spending some of it being productive. Catch up on work, start reading a book, or get creative and journal your thoughts. Sleeping and zoning out is tempting, but you won’t regret taking advantage of the distraction-free environment.
Indulge in Your Favorite Snacks
Airplane food is notoriously low-quality, and the portions are disappointingly small. Load up on your favorite snack items before boarding to treat yourself mid-flight.
Tiny pretzel bags and microwaved meals won’t satisfy you on a long journey. Your seatmates will be jealous as you enjoy your special on-the-go snacks.
Stretch Regularly
If possible, try to get up and walk around the cabin hourly. Stretching your legs promotes blood flow, minimizing your chances of swelling and cramps.
While seated, you can get creative with foot, ankle, head, and neck stretches to prevent stiff, sore muscles. Your body will be grateful for the occasional movement.
Consider a mid-flight stopover to make the most of your travels
Why limit your sightseeing when you can visit multiple destinations in one journey? Stopovers are the ideal opportunity to break up long flights and save money on traveling.
15 Stopover Countries That Turn One Vacation Into Two
Elevate your travel experience at these luxury airports
Part of the fun of traveling is experiencing new airports worldwide. Some are so luxurious that they feel like a getaway.
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Elise Armitage is an entrepreneur and founder of What The Fab, a travel + lifestyle blog based in California. At the beginning of 2019, Elise left her corporate job at Google to chase her dreams: being an entrepreneur and helping women find fabulous in the everyday. Since then, she’s launched her SEO course Six-Figure SEO, where she teaches bloggers how to create a passive revenue stream from their website using SEO. Featured in publications like Forbes, Elle, HerMoney, and Real Simple, Elise is a firm believer that you can be of both substance and style.
