One of the modern wonders of life in the 21st Century is the rate at which we can get from one location to another, tens of thousands of miles away, in a single day. Even so, flying transatlantic and then perhaps across Europe could take the better part of 24-hours if you have any layovers along your route. Comfort is something you should always plan for, whether your trip is only going to be a few hours long or a flight that is much, much longer. If you’ve never taken a long flight before, these ideas may keep you as comfortable as possible that high up off the ground.
1. Wear Loose Fitting Clothes
There is almost nothing as uncomfortable than being stuck sitting in an almost upright position in tight clothing. While you are at it, you could also wear several layers. No matter how warm it is on the ground, traveling in a plane at high altitudes gets extremely chilly. You can always take off your layers, one by one if you feel too stuffy.
2. Carry Along a Travel Pillow
While most airlines will hand out small travel pillows and lightweight blankets if you ask, some don’t offer that service anymore. Also, who wants to rest their head on a pillow that someone else has used recently? While many germs die within moments after leaving the body, you can’t guarantee that, so at the very least bring your own travel pillow. If you aren’t sure which one to buy, check out various pillows that have been reviewed on the indreviews website.
3. Don’t Forget Your Earplugs!
You can always tell a frequent flyer by the quality of earplugs they bring with them. Noise levels in the cabin can get extremely loud with people talking and laughing, babies crying in the background, and the person next to you listening to music through headphones at decibels you are sure will make them deaf. Earplugs can help bring your comfort up many levels. Besides the noise levels, your ears will pop uncomfortably as the plane gains altitude, and earplugs help reduce the changes in pressure. Many frequent flyers say that earplugs keep them from discomfort on the plane and earaches after they land.
4. Comfortable Slip on Shoes Are a Must
On longer flights, you will be transferring planes at least once. Your next flight may not be on the same concourse and you may have a good long distance to walk to get to the next gate. Always wear comfortable walking shoes; slip-on shoes work best because you can slip out of them on the plane, take out your pillow, put your earplugs in, and take a nap.
5. Keep Your Pockets Empty
One last suggestion which many people often overlook is to keep items in their pockets to a minimum. Not only will you be able to get past security quicker without setting anything off, but you won’t be bothered by keys, pens, or coins jabbing at you as you sit in the narrow seat. Coins are a royal pain when they fall from your pocket because there is no room to move about to gather them up.
Yes, you can fly ‘quickly’ around the world, but quick is still a relative word. After half a day on the plane, you will appreciate having taken the time to plan for your comfort. These five ways to make your flight more comfortable should help you get the most enjoyment when you fly, no matter how long a flight you are on.
