Surviving Long Flights
At some point or another in your travels, you will stare down the barrel of a double digit hours long flight. There are so many people who dread these flights, but not to worry. I will help you prepare for these flights to make them more comfortable for your next long trip.
There are websites upon websites that give advice for surviving air travel and you can research to your heart's content. Here's my take:
#1 Stretch
I can't stress this enough. There is no end to the help that stretching provides you. When you are at altitude for so many hours, there are certain physiological effects that take place. Read up on that here. Try these couple of stretches to help you survive your flight in more comfort.
Neck rotations
Sit up straight, look down at the floor, roll your neck clockwise a couple times, then counterclockwise a couple times. Do this every few hours to help alleviate neck tension and headaches.
Reach for the Call Button
Reach both arms up towards the call button. Place your hands on the plastic over your head (if you can reach; I'm short and can't always reach). Try to push your neck forward through your arms. This sounds weird, but it stretches your shoulders out a little bit. When you sit in a seat next to strangers (or loved ones), you subconsciously shirk your shoulders in so as to not invade their space or touch strangers. This leads to neck strain, tight shoulders, and discomfort, so stretch.
Toe Touches
When you stand (which you should, as often as is comfortable for you and your neighbors) and walk around, find an inconspicuous corner, if you can. Bend over and touch your toes. Looks weird, don't care, feels great.
Ankle Spirals
This one's kind of complicated, so hang with me. While sitting in your seat, pick a side and start there, then repeat for the other side. Place an ankle on top of the opposite knee (cross your leg). Grab the bent knee and pull it towards your chest. While pulling, rotate your ankle in little circles. This really helps your butt muscles, quads, and calves.
When you fly your circulation is affected, your blood pressure is affected, and you're generally uncomfortable. So, stretch.
#2 Booze
Most international flights offer free alcohol, if you are of age, on international flights. There are some "no-fills" airlines that skimp on this feature, but for Delta, American, and United (as of 2018), it's free. Having an excessive amount is not recommended, but a drink or two can help you fall asleep and make the flight go a little faster. Side point on this: I recommend spirits that you can drink straight. Beer and mixers will make you have to pee faster and serve to dehydrate you. My preference is amaretto with the in flight meal dessert as it is strong enough to relax me, enjoyable to drink by itself, and I always ask for extras.
Bear in mind that alcohol is not the best for jet lag, but it sure makes the long flights more enjoyable. Weigh this option out for yourself and decide.
#3 In Flight Entertainment
Many major airlines now have in seat entertainment that takes only a standard 3.5 mm headphone jack for you to enjoy a vast number and variety in movies, television shows, talk shows, music, and games. Some airlines even have seat to seat texting in case you're not sitting near your travel companions.
I can't tell you how many hours of in-flight movies I've watched and even found a few shows here or there that were highly entertaining. It is important to know that while most airlines have this, not all do. Bring a backup plan. Just like in my Big 6 video, always bring a non-electronic form of entertainment. I think a 14 hour flight with the same book would be a stretch, but you never know.
#4 In Seat Comfort Tips
Try some of these tips to be more comfortable in your tiny economy seat.
Stretch!
See #1 above.
Back Support
Fold up the blanket they give you and place behind your lower back as a lumbar support. Alternate between having the cushion and not throughout your flight.
Use the eye cover
You may not like the idea of an eye cover and after a while, the strings on the side may grow uncomfortable, but after a couple drinks (see #2) and a meal, you may be able to relax enough to kick back in the fake-dark and get some sleep.
Kick Back
Place one of your smaller bags under the seat in front of you. Prop your feet on top of the bag and lean your seat back as far as you are comfortable doing so and lounge out. I took an under seat spinner bag with me to China last time and it worked quite famously for this. I thought of it as more of an ottoman than a useful piece of luggage, but more on that in the bag review to come.
