You’re going on vacation. You’re excited and can’t wait for the adventure to begin – but, oh, that long flight ahead! Here are a few tips that might help make it more enjoyable.
- Carry-ons
Your carry-on should be small and light. On long haul flights, your big suitcase gets checked for free, so why bother with a big carry on? You only need a few essentials with you:
- Earplugs, headphones, eye mask, good book, granola bars, heavy socks, neck pillow.
All of these items fit into a small backpack, along with your wallet and passport.
- Food
Elevation and climate changes are hard on the body and the digestive system. Eating heavy, hard to digest foods is not going to help. Sandwiches, salads, nuts and trail mix are usually safe choices. Almonds can hold you over for hours and are easy on the stomach.
Stay away from smelly foods, especially if you plan on eating on the plane. Not everybody enjoys the smell of curry or beef jerky!
- Don’t just sit around
Sitting in the same position for a long time is uncomfortable and can be a health hazard. Don’t just sit at your gate; you have hours of sitting ahead of you! Instead, walk the terminal and stretch out a bit. While on the plane, make sure to move your legs and feet (within your own personal space please!). You can draw circles with your feet, crunch and tip your toes and heels and much more. Get up every few hours to walk up and down the aisles to get the circulation going.
- Code of conduct
Try to be courteous. There is no need to push your fellow passengers or cut in line to get on the plane first. Everybody has a reserved seat. If you stick with the standard carry on, there will be room for it.
Don’t bad mouth parents with crying kids. Be sympathetic. They have enough to deal with.
Striking up a conversation with your seatmate is nice, but use indoor voices. Some people need to sleep and not everybody is as fascinated by the lifecycle of butterflies as you might be.
And please, put up your backrest during meal services and keep your limbs to yourself.
I hope these tips help you enjoy your next long haul flight a bit more.
Happy travels! QCBN
By Daniela Harrison
Daniela Harrison is a travel consultant with Avenues of the World Travel in Flagstaff.
She can be reached via email at [email protected] or via phone at 928-556-0853 Ext.12.
For further travel inspiration please visit www.avenuesoftheworld.com. Avenues of the World Travel has been in business for 26 years.
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