A long domestic or international flight can often sour what should be a pleasant holiday or business venture. These guidelines can help your necessary travel time be as comfortable and painless as possible - for you, and for your fellow travelers.
WORLD TIPS
- Go to the bathroom/toilet RIGHT before you leave. This will decrease your chances you will have to go on the plane. The bathrooms on an airplane are small, and they don't have the most pleasant smell.
- (Sudafed) to help relieve pressure in your ears during takeoff and landing. Please note, however, that if you fly to Japan or New Zealand, Sudafed and other cold cures that contain pseudoephedrine are considered controlled substances and are illegal to bring into the country. Pseudoephedrine is also an "upper", and may prevent you from napping.
- Alternative solutions to the ear pressure problem (whether or not you have a cold) include chewing gum and opening your mouth.
- Pressure relieving earplugs (a brand name is EarPlanes) also help to relieve air pressure changes during flights.
- Don't worry about getting up to use the restroom often; the walking about will be good for the blood flow in your legs.
- If you have a strong fear of flying or have troubles falling asleep during the flight, you could ask your doctor for a benzodiazepine medication [Valium/Xanax/Restoril(c)]. These will lower your anxiety levels and are sedating. Do not use alcohol to sleep.
- Alaska Air usually has "Digiplayers" that are very similar to AVOD on cross-country flights. For $10 you get about six movies, four TV shows, and a bunch of music videos.
- To relieve pressure in your ears, research the Valsalva maneuver (holding your nose and blowing) beforehand and know how to perform it correctly.
- If first (or business) class isn't completely sold out, boarding crews occasionally invite some coach class customers to move up. Your chances of this happening are best if you are dressed appropriately—this means no jeans or sweatshirts, no open-toed sandals, and no backpack or other unwieldy carry-on luggage.
- Get the wax moldable over-the-counter ear plugs. They work better than the cheap foam ones and are less expensive than the custom made ones. If you are concerned about noise, try to sit forward of the engines.
- WetOnes are one of the best inventions ever: a self contained bath. They are pre-moistened anti-bacterial towelettes. They sell a small pack about the size of your palm for a couple of bucks.
- Get a NadaChair S'portBacker. It allows you to sleep sitting upright. It prevents slouching, which strains the lower back. Put this on, raise your seat almost upright, put the seatbelt snug across your lap, and you can sleep for hours with no discomfort. It folds up into a self contained bag about the size of a paperback book. Sitting with better lumbar spine posture, which is what the Nada Chair helps with, can also lower your blood pressure (NadaChair's BackUp, not as compact, is recommended for larger frames.)
- Try downloading a few podcasts to your MP3 player before you leave. There are loads of them around, and there should be one that suits your interests. If you're traveling alone for a while, a podcast or two should keep you company.
- Bring something to keep you occupied during the flight. Perhaps a good book or a magazine, a hand held game console (Gameboy, Nintendo DS), iPod Touch, etc.
- The last row of seats usually do not recline.
- If you want earplugs but didn't bring any, use tissue.
- Armrests can be raised (even on the aisle) but some have a hidden release latch. Ask flight crew.
- Don't be bashful about asking for extra napkins and cups of ice when drinks are offered. You might be given the whole can of a less-popular beverage if you ask. Hydrate! Soda pop is a bad choice because of all the sugar.
- Some airports have a rental kiosk for portable DVD players and DVD movies (about $10). Just drop it off at your destination airport.
- Short flights may take longer than driving when you consider airport parking, security lines, waiting for boarding, luggage pickup, car rental, cost, etc.
- Keep a photocopy (or more) of your main passport page spread out through your luggage. If your passport is lost or stolen, having the copy will make it MUCH easier to straighten out. If your bag is misplaced, it's more likely to be returned to you.
- Bring a bag of lollipops or fruit.
- If you get homesick easily, try downloading podcasts from radio stations that you listen to. This will make you feel like you are at home listening to your own language and/or accent.
- Plan for airport layovers, too. They can take time, but they are also a good opportunity to stretch your legs.
- Turn off all Wifi/Bluetooth/Cellular communications in your phone. most smartphones have the aptly named airplane mode.
- If the airline you are traveling with provides blankets, it is a good idea to sleep with the blanket over your head to block out light and also if you like privacy.
- This may go without saying,but this does happen. DO NOT attempt to shave in a airplane! Do not also brush up on your hygiene in the bathroom. Not only is it disgusting, you will also cut yourself if there is turbulence.
- If you aren't in a hurry, consider the sleeper carriage of the train. Although the price is similar to a flight, you'll get a HORIZONTAL bed, meals and a shower on board.
- Try your best to sleep well
- When you are tired or sleepy, ask the passenger behind you (be careful to ask the parent if it is a child)if you can push your back rest a little bit back and rest it back and go to sleep.
- Some flights have leg rests son pull up the leg rest and relax.
