A long flight can be a real challenge: it’s cramped, noisy, uncomfortable, and boring on the plane. We’ll tell you what you need to take with you to make your life easier and arrive at your destination without any unplanned back pain, well-rested, and fully alert.
Comfortable Accommodation
Socks. Spending the entire flight in shoes is not the best idea: your feet will swell up and get tired. A pair of warm socks will prevent your feet from getting cold, but keep in mind that flight attendants will ask you to wear shoes during takeoff and landing for safety reasons.
Disposable slippers. Walking around the plane in just socks is not very hygienic or comfortable. To avoid having to put on shoes every time and give your feet some rest, it’s worth having a pair of disposable slippers. They don’t take up much space, you can throw them away upon arrival, and on the return trip, you can grab another pair, for example, from the hotel.
Compression socks. Pressure changes in the plane put additional strain on the veins and heart, and uncomfortable positions also hinder normal blood circulation. Many people experience leg swelling during flights, which can be uncomfortable. To avoid this, consider wearing compression socks, especially if you are predisposed to varicose veins. Before buying, it’s best to consult a phlebologist, but you can confidently choose compression stockings for prevention as they have few contraindications.
Foot hammock. If you couldn’t arrange a business class experience for yourself, you can at least do it for your legs. A travel mini-foot hammock attaches to the seat in front of you and allows you to comfortably rest during the trip. By the way, it will also come in handy after the vacation – you can hang it under your desk in the office.
Get Some Rest
Pillow. The benefits of travel pillows are well known, and on long trips, they are a must-have. A pillow will support your head, relieve neck muscle tension, and prevent them from swelling during sleep in a seated position. Inflatable pillows take up less space, but memory foam pillows are usually more comfortable, especially for longer journeys.
Sleep mask. A mask will help you fall asleep faster, which is especially useful during daytime flights. If you want to wake up without puffiness and dark circles under your eyes, choose masks with gel filling.
Earplugs. These are essential onboard, especially if you are sensitive to noise. No crying baby, overly talkative neighbor, or turbine noise will disturb your sleep or reading almost in silence. Foam earplugs are more comfortable to use – they are barely felt in the ear, but they cannot completely isolate you from all sounds. Silicone earplugs will provide complete silence, but they can be uncomfortable due to internal pressure.
Moisture and Hydration
The air in the plane is very dry, so you need to pay close attention to your body’s water level and skin condition.
Water bottle. Many airports now have special drinking water taps, and on the plane, you can ask the flight attendant to fill your bottle so you don’t have to ask for cups multiple times. During the flight, it’s better not to eat anything salty and not to drink alcohol – your body already lacks moisture, so don’t create additional challenges for it.
Moisturizing cosmetics. The skin on your face tends to dry out mercilessly on the plane, and thermal water (in small travel bottles) usually works best in this situation. A sheet mask will be useful after sleep, which will also reduce puffiness and refresh your face.
Moisturizing eye drops. Dry air is not good for your eyes – they redden and tear up. Moisturizing eye drops will help, especially for those who wear contact lenses.
Avoid Boredom
You’ll have to entertain yourself during the flight, so it’s better to bring various content with you, download movies and books in advance on your phone or tablet (both in text and audio format – eventually, your eyes will get tired of looking at the screen). It’s best to have several books and movies in case something doesn’t appeal to you or doesn’t suit your mood. An ideal option is a gripping series: the more engaging, the better because time will fly by much faster.