I've never known anyone who was a fan of long flights. Sure, there are people who don't mind flying or who see it for exactly what it is: a necessary part of travel and maybe even, on a good day, the doorway to a new adventure. But even those people wouldn't be caught exclaiming, "I just LOVE long flights. Everything about them lights me up. The crowded planes, endless sitting, and mediocre meals are just a few of my favorite things!" Even if you travel in the lap of luxury, you don't do it for the flights. Amirite?
Tips for Surviving Long Flights
That said, there are a number of ways to make surviving long flights possible. In some cases, they may be more tolerable and even, dare I say, moderately enjoyable. Like bringing a fully stocked library of books, movies, and music, for example. Hear me when I say that entertainment is KEY, people. If you're going to be crammed next to a couple of strangers for more than five hours at a time, the least you could do is make a solid effort to distract yourself.
If you're anything like me, you'll also want to bring snacks. Because nothing says misery like being hangry, and nothing screams misery like paying $10 for in-flight snacks only to be disappointed. I think, because of the liquid limitations for flights, many people think they can't bring food either. I'm here to tell you that you most certainly can. Better yet, you can bring as much as you want: fruit, chips, sandwiches, gummies, cookies - literally whatever you need to survive.
Choosing your seat wisely is also a strong move, if you plan far enough in advance. At the very least, aim for an aisle, where you can let your legs linger in between the drinks and meal services. From there, you can try to get an exit row, where space is sacred, or even the bulkhead so no one can lean back into your lap. Or, if you like a little risk, you can choose something in the back row, which is usually reserved for attendants who don't always use their seats, and spread out.
If any of these options, in your humble opinion, sounds like more effort than they might be worth, then I offer only one last refuge. Listen closely. Ready? COMFORT. It is actually the only necessity for surviving long flights. Justin and I recently shared our favorite clothes for lengthy trips with Go Euro, and the common denominator was being comfortable. (Obviously we want to look decent as well, but that ranks much lower on the list of priorities. Now you know!)
No amount of food, space, or entertainment will do any good if you can't relax in your small space. So get yourself a comfy pair of pants, and get on the road! Also, tell us what your must-haves are for long trips. We want to know!
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Travel Blog sharing tips and stories from around the world.
