Do's and Don'ts: Long Flights
Surviving Long Flights With Some Tips and Tricks
When people find out that I'm from America, they immediately ask how long it took me to get here. And then when I tell them at least nine hours in a plane with at least one layover, they're shocked. And they ask me how I can go that long on a flight, especially since I'm not a sleeper. And to be honest, I've been making transatlantic flights since I was young, I never thought of it as big deal. But some people think it's almost crazy. So here are some tips if you're one of those people.Don't
Don't hold it in. I've once made it from San Francisco to Paris without using the bathroom once. That's not healthy. Don't do that! I always use the bathroom 20 minutes before boarding before any flight. For a long flight I go again right before they serve whatever meal they're serving. Bathrooms are cleaner at the beginning of a flight before everyone has been in there, bouncing around with the turbulence. Then I go again around the time people start waking up, before the long line where everyone needs to make themselves pretty for landing. While I could make it only going once, it's better to go twice. So make sure you know your bladder and don't let it explode in fear or airplane bathrooms.Do
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Being up in the air that long dehydrates you. It took me years to learn this lesson. And no that does not mean take advantage of all the free liquor, that just dehydrates you faster. Instead keep drinking that water. I know it makes you pee more, but it will help you a lot more. And hydrating also means bringing that Chapstick. With all that recycled air being blown on you for at least 9 hours, your lips are going to be chapped. So come prepared. |
| The International "I Have to Pee" Stance German Port-a-Potties |
Don't
Don't take a flight with too many layovers. Nothing's worse than turning a 9 hour journey into a 15+ hour journey. Even if each layover is 2 hours, they add up after a while. So sometimes think about your sleep and your sanity, is it worth it to pay more to keep it? And today there are almost no direct flights from San Francisco to Paris, so you have to have a layover. I personally find that it's easier to do a really short leg and a short leg rather than two medium legs. Two equally long legs get exhausting, and it makes the journey seem so much longer. The short and long legs mean that you can actually try to sleep for one of them and for the other, by the time you finish your snack then it's time to land. Much easier!Do
Take advantage of companies that offer movies to everyone. You know those little tv screens on the headrest in front of you? That's what in talking about. They keep you entertained for hours and you don't even have to feel guilty for watching four movies in a row like you might if you were sitting back home. But last year when I went to Italy they didn't have them on the flight, they just had the giant overhead that you can't see from the back, so you're stuck there with nothing to watch, and in today's world that's a big deal. So it's up to you to decide if you want to spend a little extra for those flights with individual movies. |
| Alexanderplatz, Berlin |
Don't
Don't forget your to do list. If you're flying over for business of have a lot of writing to do, long flights are always a good time to do it. As a teacher I've graded papers, as a blogger I've written posts and uploaded them later. It's a great distraction free place because there's no internet for you to check Facebook or Pinterest. If you're worried about boredom during these long flights, take advantage of being locked in metal tin to get stuff done.Do
Bring a few things to keep you entertained. I've had some flights where I've had nothing to do. So bring a book, especially on your tablet with games to keep you entertained. I like crosswords so sometimes I bring that book with me. And I always bring a guidebook to plan my trips since I save everything for last minute. And if you have children, please bring plenty to distract them. Save a new toy for the plane and bring lots and lots of options the younger they are. |
| Berliner Dom, Berlin |
Don't
Don't forget to stretch it out. Your muscles will get cramped if you sit in the same position for a few hours. And nothing is worse than hobbling around the airport like Frankenstein's monster after a long flight. So stand up and stretch it out. If you can walk around the plane do it. When I travel alone I just do it in front my my seat. But please don't grab onto other seats to do it. Nothing's more annoying that being shaken away because someone needs to stretch.Do
Remember to sleep if you can. The best way to not be bored on a long flight is to sleep it off. If you can sleep that's great! You'll walk up refreshed and energized rather than looking like the living dead. But for the people like me, we'll stick to movie marathons.
0 comments:
Comments? Questions? Advice? Let me know: