Yesterday I took a 13 hour flight to Europe, so as is often the case when travelling for extended periods, I thought I’d share what items I bring on such journeys in order to make them more pleasant and less discomforting.
As someone of petite stature (5’3″), flying economy suits me well because by planning ahead and packing essential products I can make myself more comfortable during my flights.
Joggers & Long Sleeve Pullover. I enjoy traveling comfortably while looking fashionable. Recently I invested in a set of matching joggers and crew neck pullovers made of thin material resembling pajamas but look chic. For maximum warmth on airplanes I layer lightweight jackets over these pieces to cover every surface of my body; jeans or dresses simply don’t do! :). In terms of clothing I prefer leggings/joggers/legwarmers along with thin sweatshirts/hoodies when traveling :).
Compression Socks. I love wearing my Compression Socks; they provide extra support and enhance lower leg circulation when sitting for long hours.
Silk Eye Mask. I never leave home without one! It helps regulate light levels and noise, as well as block out any light that might interfere with sleep. They’re especially handy in vacation rentals where window treatments don’t guarantee to block out light effectively.
Moisturizing Sleep Mask. I try not to wear much makeup when traveling by plane; typically just moisturizer and lip gloss are enough. That way I can more easily apply a moisturizing sleep mask as an hour or two prior to landing as flights dehydrate both skin and body alike – this one in particular is unscented so won’t disturb other passengers!
Soft Earplugs. I always keep soft earplugs on hand because I find they help block out sounds such as passengers talking or coughing, baby’s cries, etc. as I’m a light sleeper who often struggles to rest without them. They’re great to bring with you to hotel rooms or public transportation if there is no guarantee your neighbors will remain quiet; these can usually be found at CVS or Walgreens.
Personal Snacks. I like to pack almonds, a small bag of chips, protein bars and even a mini baguette with turkey and brie for long flights so I’m not dependent on airline meals, which I rarely consume anyway. Airport food can be extremely costly so packing my favorite goodies beforehand saves both money and hassle!
I bring a stainless water bottle, filling it after going through security, to stay hydrated on flights without depending on flight attendants for beverages or hydration needs. Metal ones keep water colder longer.
I tried an Inflatable Neck Pillow for the first time recently and was extremely satisfied. Plus it’s compact for easy travel! Before, I used the Turtl travel pillow but due to misplacement I wasn’t willing to pay the additional expense of purchasing another, so instead I went with a less costly inflatable neck pillow with soft cover instead – both worked just fine :).
Earbud Headphones with two jacks. I use modern earbuds on my phone for music and podcasts and old school 3.5mm headphones with me when flying, particularly airlines that still feature old-style headrest screens with old jacks that require me to bring an additional set. Many travelers bring noise canceling headphones; I own some, but prefer traveling light so instead use either modern earbuds or earplugs; both options are much smaller and easier for travel.
Backup Charger. I learned the hard way on a long flight that sometimes the airplane’s USB or electric charging ports don’t work, so now I always carry a portable backup charger like this small one that plugs directly into my phone – perfect for keeping in my crossbody bag if I plan to be out all day long walking and charging up!
My brother introduced me to the Libby app from my local library; with it, I can download written and audio books for free with my library card – no subscription or Kindle necessary! Right now I am listening to one of my favorite audio book authors’ works as I listen along on my iPad; also included with this tale in paperback is one of my favorite fictional characters – both forms help me fall asleep quickly!
I found one approach helpful for combatting jet lag upon landing in Europe which is nine hours ahead of my Pacific Standard Time zone: staying awake until at least dinner time before sleeping. While this can be challenging, staying up past dinner time before retiring helps acclimate more quickly to a new time zone. Recently I heard another tip where eating in your destination window days prior may also aid adaptation; though that might prove harder in practice; hopefully we shall see!
What are your essential requirements for long flights? How can you make yourself more comfortable during long hours on airplanes? Do you have any helpful hints to share?
