How To Stay Comfortable During Long International Flights

Some people love flying while others loathe it. But, if you’re embarking on a long flight soon, it’s best to earn some tips and tricks to battle jetlag, sore body, tired feet, and uncomfortable sleep. Many wonder why the body gets so tired after a long flight when they’re practically sedentary and exert no physical effort. However, since the air pressure in the sky is lower, your body will naturally get less oxygen, which eventually makes people feel tired or drained.

When planning for a trip to a faraway country or place, it’s essential to prepare early on how to tackle your long hours of flight. Flying in economy class can be tough. With noises from your surroundings, and a chatty or annoying seatmate, your overall flying experience can be downhill. But, this doesn’t have to be. 

Try to follow the pointers below so you can feel less exhausted on your long international flight soon.

1. Ensure A Good Sleep 

Long flights mean you can get a shuteye for long hours. If you ever plan to do so, it’s essential that you prepare your sleeping paraphernalia. For instance, you’d want to bring an eye mask to block out all the surrounding lights. Flying during the daytime may mean some sunshine is seeping from the plane’s windows. You can block all rays with an eye mask. 

Try to bring a good quality cushion like this pillow to support your head or body, and allow you to sleep in the best position possible. Traveling with such pillows, like buckwheat travel pillows, gives you ample support, enhancing your sleeping experience even on the plane. One example is a buckwheat travel pillow, whose features and benefits you can see in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byCJuXZT9Rk.

You can also opt to use earplugs or a noise-canceling headset to block out noises around you. Chances are there might be some toddlers and babies who’ll feel uncomfortable and eventually be crying in their seats. Bring some blankets and other sleeping essentials that you feel will improve your sleep quality. Also, don’t forget to put your seatbelt on so the flight attendants won’t have to wake you up for you to do it. 

2. Try To Find The Most Comfortable Seat

If you have your favorite seat, try to grab it early. Being in the right seat can improve your flight overall. Whether booking your seat online or over the counter, try to do it earlier before hoards of passengers come. Check the seat map before your flight to see if you can claim an empty row at the last minute. 

Chances are your flight might not be packed, so you can get the advantage of having two seats together. Changing your seat in advance is a good idea if you feel that the current one booked isn’t what you really want. Go for a window seat if you’re going to view the skies, or get an aisle seat if you plan on standing to stretch, walking, or visiting the restroom once in a while. 

3. Stretch Your Body Whenever You Can 

The first step to a comfortable flight is boarding the plane. Hence, it’s essential to prepare your body before a long flight. This would mean doing tiny exercises or stretches while waiting for your flight. Despite the weird stares from other people or passengers, your body will thank you for doing this vital task before boarding the plane.

Also, another crucial time to perform stretches is once you’re already on board. Make sure you walk around and stretch once you’re on the plane. It’ll help you loosen up and improve circulation. If it’s not possible to stand, you can still stretch on your seats and make your body feel better.  

4. Wear Comfy Clothes 

You should wear comfortable clothes if you’re going to sleep on the flight. Long flights mean you’ll be spending long hours sitting, and a tight-fitting shirt or pants won’t make you feel comfortable for a long time. Seek out a comfy pair of travel pants ever and opt for loose shirts, hoodies, or any other clothing piece made of breathable fabric. Don’t forget to bring some jackets and socks since the air conditioner on the plane can be pretty cold. 

5. Secure Enough Leg Room 

Some people try to secure all their stuff by placing them on their lap. But, this only results in sore bodies later on. Thus, it’s always wise to store everything in your overhead bin. If necessary, try to get only the most essential items from your handbag and keep the rest under your seat. This will give you enough legroom. Having enough room for the legs will make it easier to stretch your leg muscles and improve blood circulation. Therefore, try to bring only a few personal items and store the rest in the overhead bin. 

6. Stay Hydrated 

When traveling internationally, it’s essential to stay hydrated. Before your flight and during the flight, drink plenty of water. Although this can mean you’d have to frequent the restroom, it’s still better than suffering from dehydration. You can keep your water bottle with you and fill it up with the water provided in water fountains displaced in airports. Long flights could mean long hours, so drinking up enough liquids is essential.  

Conclusion 

Let go of your worries about lost time and use it to enjoy your long flight. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll eventually learn to love (or at least tolerate) long flights. There are many ways to kill your time, like sleeping, reading, watching movies, or listening to music. Don’t forget to apply the tips mentioned in this article to elevate your long flight experience.