How to Prepare for a Long Plane Ride

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Heed these tips for a comfortable, happy, and healthy flight.

Step 1: Pack early
Pack essentials, such as medications and passports, a few days before your flight, and completely finish packing the night before. You’ll minimize stress because you won't be rushing around the morning of the flight.

Step 2: Pack smart
Make sure all essentials are in your carry-on luggage. Fully charge your music player, game player, or laptop and pack books and magazines. Bring your favorite snacks and finger food.

Tip
Check out the entertainment and food options offered by the airline before you fly.

Step 3: Get a good seat
Consider upgrading to a better seating class for a particularly long flight. If you check in online up to 24 hours in advance, you often get to choose your seat or change to a better one. Or get to the airport extra early and check for a better seat at the counter and again at the gate.

Tip
Seats in exits rows and the bulkhead provide the most legroom.

Step 4: Tune out
Bring along earplugs or noise-reduction headphones to block unwanted noise. An eye mask will shield your eyes from sunlight if you want to sleep during the day.

Step 5: Consider coziness
Bring a soft travel blanket and neck pillow. Besides being warm and cozy, you won't have to worry about the airline's blanket-cleaning policy. Dress comfortably and bring thick socks to swap for your shoes after take-off.

Tip
Neck pillows with lavender are said to be calming and reduce headaches.

Step 6: Prevent illness
Take motion sickness pills or ginger capsules 2 hours before your flight if you're prone to air sickness. Wash your hands, especially before and after eating, and bring hand sanitizer wipes.

Tip
Wipe down airflow vent and tray tables with sanitized wipes and use a tissue when touching the bathroom door handle.

Step 7: Hydrate and move
Drink plenty of water before and during your flight to avoid muscle aches and fatigue. Get up, stretch, and move around often to prevent stiffness and deep vein thrombosis.

Did You Know?
A survey by 3M and the Global Strategy Group found that most Americans would rather get stuck in traffic, go on a blind date, or go to the dentist than sit in the middle seat on a flight.

[PigeonFaceLife]

12 years later and I still come back here every time I go on holiday to get me THAT feeling

[kriti]

I almost always watch all the “travel howcast” videos when I’m excited for a trip

[kaylacrimmins]

i also suggest bringing gum or mentos, beause your ears will get blocked

[orlintodorov]

This always gets me really excited for my summer holiday travels!

[bergerman]

Extra Tip: Before booking your flight, make sure to clear your cookies on your web browser. The more times you've booked a flight on that website, the higher the prices will be (this applies with almost every flight website).

[alonzo]

Ugh, who would willingly choose the middle seat? You lose out in both ways: you don't get the window to lean on, and you still have to ask the person on the aisle seat to move if you want to go to the restroom.

[narilver]

0:56 his face is like: 'IMMA EAT THAT FOOOODDD!"

[Noahification]

Going on a plane is not flying, it's taking off first, then falling with style to the next airport.😁

[HuntinTracker]

Flying non-stop from Seattle to Chicago this Christmas! I'm totally watching this!

[MrOTBxTrains]

step 1: eat a full plate of pot brownies 

[ernanimartins]

Audio Books are a must, as well as a seat with A/C power to charge laptops or tablets...a Kindle is also great! Don't forget reading glasses if you are prone. For smokers, some nicorette helps reduce the nicotine craving.

If the plane does not provide A/C plugs on your seat, consider getting some battery pack that can charge some USB devices.

[tidepodpadthai]

I'll sit anywhere on a plane as long as nobody else is near me.

[marcorodvas]

I'm going to be on a 18 hour flight and my worst nightmare is I don't want to poo in the airport or plane. HOW DO I DO?

[katerinamorris]

This is great! I'm moving to London from the US, and i'm changing flights 4 times, one being overnight. :D

[andreapatane]

It isn't easy to prepare for long ✈ rides these days. I brought one of my Harry Potter 📚 and my iPod 2G 12 years ago when my parents and I traveled to Italy and Germany. 👏🏻

[liv]

I've got a 13 hour flight from Sydney to LA and it's my first time on a sleep trip. And it's my first time overseas so it's a lot to take in I guess. 😂😂

[uwumi]

I needed this, I'm traveling from Nevada to Barcelona, AND THE FLIGHT IS ALMOST 24 HOURS LONG!WITH ME AND MY DAD, IN FIRST CLASS

[cokehold]

YOU FORGET A PENCIL IS REALLY IMPORTANT...!
For fill the déclarations form.

a flight attendant.

[ErikBlueGuitar]

1:28 Because closing the window is too mainstream.

[Iloverhythmheaven]

Great tips for me because I'm got to Japan, singapore, and other Japanese related places when I'm older!