The mere thought of spending hours on a plane in-between a snorer and a fidgeter can be enough to keep you working away at your desk.
But rest assured, with our well-travelled network of personal travel managers, our seven heavenly tips for flying will help get you from A-B with ease.
1. Long flight? Get the best seat.
If you’re looking at a long haul flight, forking out a few dollars to select the seat that you feel the most comfortable in will be well worth it. Window seats go fast – not only for the view but also for extra comfort the side of the plane provides when you’re trying to sleep. If you’re a passenger who struggles to keep still, you’ll prefer the aisle so you can escape your seat without having to disturb anybody. Families are often seated in the first few rows of the plane. Avoid this area if you’d like a little more peace and quiet as kids can understandably become restless.
2. Prepare your entertainment.
Load up on podcasts, e-readers, music and apps, and make sure you have all your chargers with you so that you can keep your gadgets powered up throughout your journey. Some planes are now fitted with USB ports so check ahead with your airline.
3. Carry on must haves.
The list of carry-on “must haves” is seemingly endless, but these are the imperatives for every traveller:
4. Sleeping saviors.
Avoid alcohol and caffeine on long haul flights. Use your travel pillow to support your neck and use the plane pillow for lower back support. Invest in some quality noise-cancelling headphones as regular ones won’t drown loud speakers, snorers, laughers, criers, and jet engine noise./ (the latter is more common than you think). You can also use these headphones to play soft music, audiobooks or meditation music to help you sleep away the hours.
5. Hydration is everything.
There’s no magic number, but two litres per day is standard – you wont regret it. Just make sure you’re aware of your closest toilet. If drinking water seems a bore, try electrolyte drinks, these flavoursome beverages will help maintain a healthy vitamin and mineral balance.
6. Stretch
Inflight exercises are important to keep the blood flowing and to prevent swelling and numbness. Simple stretches in your seat can do the trick, but ideally you should stand up and walk down the aisle of the plane to get the blood moving. When to move your body will be different for everyone, so use your bathroom breaks as a periodic opportunity to stretch your legs (cue tip 5 – hydrate!).
7. Escape
Even if you’re travelling on business, try not to take the stress of work with you on the plane. If you absolutely can’t resist working or you’re pressured by a deadline, keep track of your working hours and give yourself “reward time”. You can use this time to watch a movie, take a power nap or listen to a mindfulness mediation podcast. Centre yourself and keep grounded (even if you are 35,000 feet in the air)!
For more helpful tips on how to plan for your next exciting adventure, speak to your personal travel manager or find one here.