It would be great if every flight was short, but that isn’t always the case. There may be instances that you have to take a flight that’s at least 5 or 6 hours long. During these long flights it’s easy to become uncomfortable. While there are products that you can purchase to make these long flights easier to endure, most people don’t want to sleep along bulky items just to give them some comfort on an airplane. Fortunately, there are some rather odd ways that you can stay comfortable on a long flight.
Use A Tennis Ball
A tennis ball takes up practically no space in your carry on luggage, yet it has a lot of benefits when you travel. You can use it to massage your back or your neck or shoulders. Simply place it under the palm of your hand and roll the ball back and forth. Have achy feet from wearing your shoes for an extended period of time? Place the ball on the floor and rub your foot over top of it. You might be surprised at how much comfort one little tennis ball brings you on a very long flight. Did you forget the tennis ball at home? A water bottle will make a suitable alternative as long as you can get it to roll back and forth properly.
Take Advantage Of Your Sweater
A sweater or jacket can be a great way to keep you warm on a flight, but there are some other advantages to it as well. If your bottom is starting to fall asleep from sitting too long, roll up the sweater and sit on it. Using your sweater to make a cushion of sorts can relieve some of the pressure that your derriere has to endure on a lengthy flight and help to keep you a lot more comfortable.
Find a Unique Pillow
Not sure how you feel about them, but those U shaped pillows don’t work for me. There are some travel pillows now that come as part of a hoodie & have a cradle for your neck, while others twist so that you can use in various positions. Shop around for a pillow that gives you options.
Bring a Tablet Stand
If your flight doesn’t offer movies or you prefer to watch or read something on your tablet, by bringing a stand to attach to the back of the seat in front of you, you can avoid having to have the tray table open.
Bring a Footrest
There are foot rests that can attach to the seat in front of you just like the tablet holders. By keeping your legs elevated it helps take pressure off of your lower back.
Long flights require smart coping strategies. Our advisors’ guide to handling flight delays and cancellations also covers how to stay comfortable during extended time in the air.
