When it comes to flying, there are two “stress triggers” that generate a lot of anxiety: The wait to get through security and how comfortable you’ll be on the flight. Getting through security is all about managing time. If you get to the airport with a lot of time to spare, then you’ll never be stressed in that screening line. What happens when you clear is that you can get to your gate and relax. That also gives you time to snack and/or shop. As for the flying part, there is a lot you can do to make your next flight a comfortable one.
Pick the Best Seat
The sooner you book a flight, the more opportunity you will have to pick your seat. Seat Guru has the lay out of all kinds of aircrafts. You need to know what you’re flying in before picking your seat. That information is readily available on the booking site of your choice. If you’re looking for shut eye, then you want to snag a window seat that is far from the restrooms. If you can snag one of the emergency exit rows or bulkhead seats, then you’ll have more leg room. However, those seats are always snatched up early.
Dress for Comfort
There is no one you have to impress on your flight. That means you can wear whatever you want as long as you’re comfortable. You want loose fitting clothes that you can doze off in. Also, think about wearing a sweater or sweatshirt to help with the cool temps on the plane. If you’re flying into a different weather zone, then you definitely want to wear your bulky jacket on the flight and store it in the overhead bin. You don’t want to pack that.
Hydrate
Frequent flyers will tell you how important it is to stay hydrated while you are traveling. In a pressurized cabin, you can quickly become dehydrated and that is why you should drink water throughout your flight. Pack an empty water bottle to get through security and then fill it up once you are in the terminal. You should also skip the coffee or any cocktails while flying. Those kinds of drinks compound the dehydration.
Organize Your Carry-On
Plastic bags or packing cubes are a terrific option when it comes to organizing your carry-on. Accessibility is the key. You want to have all of your devices, chargers and snacks at the top of your carry-on so that you’re not constantly digging for things. It also helps if you store the carry-on in the overhead bin. The goal should be to snag what you need just be unzipping the top of the carry-on.
BYO Entertainment
Years ago, you would be “stuck” with whatever in-flight movie might be offered. If the projection system or headphones weren’t working, then there would be no entertainment. Today, you have a wide range of options for your own entertainment choices. That starts with a decent pair of noise cancelling headphones. Not only will these be good for listening to music or watching movies, but they’ll come in handy if you want to sleep. As for what to watch or listen to, your phone, pad or computer can probably hold up plenty of choices. Just remember, whatever you watch on the first leg of the flight, you can delete and load up something new for the return.
Keep Your Feet Warm
A pair of comfy socks or slippers to wear during the flight will go a long way towards keeping your entire body warm. What you don’t want is to go barefoot. Would you want to sit next to someone’s bare feet?
Plan for Sleep
If you’re flying overnight or on a longer flight, then you should plan for sleep. That planning can include a sleep mask and neck pillow. The neck pillow might look odd but will make a huge difference when you’re trying to get comfortable. This is also why you want that window seat. If you are in the middle or the aisle, then you will most likely be asked to get up at some point in the flight to let your fellow passengers go to the restroom. Also, if you will be snuggling up with a blanket, then be sure to have your seatbelt on the outside of the blanket. That way the flight attendants won’t disturb you to ask to buckle up.
Happy flying!
