Going on a long flight? Haven’t flown before? Are you a frequent flyer and think you know all the tricks? Plane travel is probably the form of transport that we get most sensitive about as we don’t know who we’ll be sitting next to, behind, or in front of…and if we don’t like the ride, we can’t get off.
The longer the flight the more important it is to ensure you are comfortable and arrive at your destination in top shape. There are several aspects to consider when travelling by airplane and it is best not to leave it to chance that everything goes your way. Here are my tips to help you have the best flight experience possible.
Seating
Whilst you may not be able to control who you sit next to, you generally have some control over where in the plane you sit. Check the airline’s website to see the seating plan for your flight and have your travel agent (or airline) pre-assign your preferred seat wherever possible. There are also sites like seatguru.com that contain useful information on seating.
Don’t sit near:
- Lavatories – they are noisy when flushed and smelly at times. People also tend to congregate around them as they wait during busy times.
- Baby cots – babies and toddlers may cry during the flight or need feeding at times other than when the main cabin meal is served. These activities will more than likely disrupt you.
- Galley area – this is where the flight attendants station themselves and also prepare meals. The area can therefore be a noisy, high traffic area.
Upstairs vs. Downstairs:
Only the Boeing 747 and Airbus A380 have upper decks and whilst the upper deck is quieter due to less engine noise, the ambient experience is quite different. I find the 747 more claustrophobic as the curve of the cabin wall is steeper and the cabin length smaller. There is however extra room, including additional stowage, between the seat and window. The smaller cabin also creates a more intimate atmosphere with fewer interruptions. The A380’s upper deck feels roomier and is longer than the 747’s but I noticed little difference between the upper and lower experience in terms of overall comfort.
Aisle vs. Window
An aisle or window seat is really a personal preference. On longer flights I’d recommend an aisle seat as you have more freedom to get up and move around without disturbing anyone; you may however find you get bumped by passersby if your body extends too far into the aisle area so keep within the armrest area.
Window seats offer a view during the day and an extra place to rest your head. You will however need to step over your neighbor to get out unless you are travelling in business class and the seating configuration gives every seat direct aisle access.
Exit Rows
Exit rows are popular as they tend to give more leg room. However this is not always the case if you have the window seat as on some aircraft, the housing for the emergency evacuation slide raft protrudes into the cabin. This effectively gives less leg room than sitting in a non-exit row. If you must have the exit row, take the aisle seat to ensure you get the extra leg room you want.
Exit seats also tend to have less seat level stowage and the tray table and entertainment units are housed within the seat itself. Whilst this may be clever engineering, I have often found the entertainment unit’s screen awkward to position for comfortable viewing.
Working Onboard
It is possible to work whilst flying however in reality if you are flying in coach/economy class, it is difficult to use a laptop for anything other than watching a movie due to space constraints. If you can avoid working on the plane, do so, as it is not the best ergonomic or private environment. I also find when I travel (internationally) for business, the journey will typically see me lose some of my weekend. I therefore try to relax and catch up on a movie or two in between the meal service and sleep time.
If you must work and plan to use your laptop with mains power, check with the airline to determine if your power cord will plug directly into the seat’s power supply or if an adapter is needed.
If you need to use the in-seat phone, don’t expect the cost to be cheap; check the rates (usually found in the in-flight magazine) before swiping your credit card. Some airlines offer SMS (from the in-seat telephone) which may be more cost effective for getting an urgent message out.
Not all airlines offer wireless internet access but for those that do, it is a fee based service and speeds may not be as fast as your connection whilst at home.
Arrive Refreshed
It is easy to dehydrate whilst flying due to the low humidity of the air on board. Therefore a key element to arrive refreshed is to stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water and have an occasional juice. Enjoy a glass of wine with your meal but then leave the alcohol alone. Caffeinated drinks such as tea, coffee, and colas should also be avoided due to their dehydrating affects.
Applying a skin moisturizer will help counter the effects of the dry cabin air. Nasal sprays specific to air travel are also available to help keep sinus passages moist and I have found them very effective on flights over 4 hours long.
Stretch your body regularly and take a walk around the cabin every couple of hours. This will keep your circulation flowing and help prevent DVT.
Food is also important. To aid sleep, eat carbohydrates (e.g. pasta, bread). To stay alert or concentrate, eat protein (e.g. meat, chicken, fish).
To avoid jet lag, try to sleep when it’s nighttime at your destination; this helps your body clock adjust.
Clothing
Temperatures on board can change rapidly so it’s best to layer your clothing. Baggy jeans, trousers, or sweatpants are good for your lower half, as are comfortable shoes like sneakers. If you like to take your shoes off during flight, then take an extra pair of socks to put over the socks you are wearing to help keep them clean; it also creates a warm, almost slipper like “shoe”.
A collared top is recommended to keep the cold air off your neck and a light jumper or sweater is a comfortable way to stay warm without overheating.
Carry-on Baggage Essentials
In essence, the longer the flight, the more items that might be needed. It is worth checking the airline’s website to see what convenience items they provide on board for your class of travel. Here is my list of essential carry-on items:
- Noise reducing ear plugs or pressure stabilizing ear plugs (if you suffer ear pain when flying)
- Book, magazine
- Nasal spray, skin moisturizer, headache tablets, prescription medicines
- Hanky or small pack of tissues, hand wipes
- Light jumper or sweater
- Pen
- Sensitive equipment (e.g. laptop, camera)
- Spare set of essential clothing in case your luggage goes missing
- Breath mints, gum
- Personal grooming items (hair brush/comb, toothbrush kit, make-up, etc.)