Many travelers see flying and dealing with the airport and airplane as a necessary evil for getting to and from their destination. If you have flown a lot, you have probably come up with ways to make flying easier. For those who haven’t done a lot of flying, or for those who find it nearly intolerable for whatever reason, we have some tips that might make things easier. You may never love to fly, but if you currently dread getting on a plane, some of these suggestions might help:
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Bring a small carry-on if possible. One of the more irritating parts of flying is trying to stuff an oversized carry-on into the storage racks over your head. If you can bring a backpack or another small item instead, you can just leave it by your feet. In any case, you will have less of a tug-of-war with your bag when it’s time to retrieve it.
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Be well-rested, and plan ahead if you want to sleep on the plane. If you are crossing time zones, your plan might be to get onto your flight exhausted so that you sleep the flight away. Unfortunately, many people find it hard to sleep on the plane. Make sure you get a good night’s sleep the night before, and bring comfort items such as earplugs, a small pillow and a blanket if you do want to try to catch some winks.
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Plan on drinking, but not anything alcoholic or caffeinated. Some of the aches and pains of flying are caused by dehydration: The cabin air is dry, and in an effort to not have to climb over your seatmates several times to use the restroom, you might make it worse by not drinking enough. Your companions will need to deal with frequent potty breaks, because it’s better to drink enough to stay hydrated. You can’t bring drinks through security, but once you have gotten through the clearance, buy a big bottle of water.
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Spring for the wi-fi if you want it. Yes, it’s irritating to have to pay for an Internet connection, but if you are planning on getting some work done or even if you just want to while away your time updating your Facebook account, go ahead and get it. Include it in your anticipated travel expenses and don’t even bother feeling guilty about it. This is your vacation, after all.
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Freshen up toward the end of your flight. No one feels their freshest after a long flight, but you can make yourself feel a bit more presentable by bringing along a washcloth and your toothbrush (or a disposable version) in your purse or small carry-on. Excuse yourself to the lavatory a half hour or so before landing (so you don’t get caught in your seat while the seatbelt light is on) and use the time to wash your hands and face and brush your teeth.
If you are a seasoned traveler, do you have any tips for making flights more tolerable? Share them with our readers!
