Essentials for in-flight comfort: long flight edition

Yesterday, I posted the list of essentials for in-flight comfort for short flights.  They included:

• water bottle
• antibacterial wipes
• tissues
• big scarf
• mints
• earbuds
• a smile

But now you’re ready to get on a long flight…which can be anything from four to twenty hours long.  What’s a girl to do to get comfortable, and arrive rested and ready for adventure?  Well, here’s a few more things I carry in my bag (in addition to the above list) that you might want to consider:

1. Socks: Get settled in your seat, kick off your shoes and put on some clean fluffy socks (or slippers).  This will keep you comfortable if your feet swell in flight, as well as keep your feet warm.  Just keep in mind–put your shoes back on when you go to use the restroom.  The floors are often wet in there, and you don’t want to track that back out on your socks.
2. Small pillow: You’ve seen the u-shaped neck support pillows that are sold in every airport–well, they are there for good reason.  If you want to sleep on the flight, they will make doing so much more comfortable.  I have a mini travel pillow, which is a cut down version of a regular pillow that I love.
3. USB cable: At this point,most of us have one of these in every purse, so it might not even be necessary to mention here, but many long-haul flights have USB plugs at each seat.  Bring a cable and your phone, ipod, etc.  can arrive at your destination with a full charge, no matter how much you use it on board.
4. Moisturizers: The air aboard planes is extra dry, and the longer your flight is, the dryer your skin will be.  A tube of moisturizer and some lip balm will save the day for you, and keep you looking and feeling fresh on arrival.  I’m a fan of Nivia skin cream as it has very little scent and is less likely to be intrusive to those around me.  It also works well for both face and hands.  A little tinted Burt’s Bees lip balm, and I’m ready for the runway.
5. Food:  Airlines are all different these days when it comes to food offerings.  Most can be pretty terrible if you’re in the cheap seats (but kudos to many airlines for offering some incredible surprises in First and Business class seating).  Some airlines now charge extra for food service as well.  In almost every case, if I can avoid airline food, I will.  A few food options to pack in your bag could include:
   – bag of cut veggies
   – full pieces of fruit
   – small container of hummus
   – almonds or trail mix
   – hard boiled eggs
   – sandwich
   All of the above can all easily get through airport security and require little or no refrigeration (or can survive ok for a few hours).  Try to avoid anything high in sugar or salt.
6. Notebook/Pen: You never know when a great idea will hit you, or you want to jot down a great restaurant name that the person in the seat beside you just told you about in their home city.  Or perhaps you just want to journal about your travels or do some mindless doodling.  In any case, a pocket notebook and pen are nice to have on hand.
7. Actual book or magazines: I admit it.  I’m old school when it comes to reading.  When I get on a plane, if I’m not trying to finish up a project and absolutely need to be on my computer to do so, I try to avoid staring at electronics.  There is a lot of book vs e-reader debate among a few of my nomadic friends and we all agree that it is up to the individual.  An e-reader can hold a variety of reading materials to suit whatever mood you’re in, and can weigh less than a single book, so yes, I see the benefit in that.  But on a plane, I like to read a “real” paper book that I’ve been looking forward to or flip through magazines that have been collecting unread at home.  At landing, I can pass them to someone else at the arrival airport to recycle and enjoy.  Read what you like, in the format you like–whether in paper or electronic, it is a great way to pass the time while flying.
8. ear plugs and eye mask:  Often long flights are scheduled to encourage sleep on board, so long flights can pass more quickly.  If you fly east on a long flight, you may find it wise to schedule an evening departure.  For an 8-10 hour trip, that means you get to sleep when you might normally be sleeping, and wake as you arrive in the morning or early afternoon at your destination.  Many flights will turn down lights and encourage quiet to give you a good environment for rest, but you just never know when you’ll have a loud talker near you or a person with a bright laptop screen or the overhead light on when you want to sleep.  Pack along an eye mask to block out the light and foam earplugs (or noise cancelling headset, if you prefer), and you’ll create your own little isle of peace and quiet.  Pleasant dreams!

I hope these lists help prepare you for a comfortable and enjoyable flight.  And wherever your trip may take you, I hope you get there safely, and find many happy adventures.

For personal coaching on how to have a great adventure wherever you travel, or to make distinctive positive changes to your life, please get in touch with me through the contact form by clicking contact us above. I look forward to hearing from you!