Travelling to exotic destinations is fun and exciting, but it frequently features one downside: It takes too long to get there. This can be very exhausting and stressful. Therefore, we have prepared for you a full list of useful advice to make you feel more comfortable, cosy, and relaxed during your long flight. This way, you can arrive at your end destination well-rested and ready to explore new adventures instead of heading straight to your hotel to “sleep it off.”
Plan your trip early
Sure enough, timely planning and preparation help you avoid a lot of stressful moments and last-minute obstacles. In addition, travelling to exotic destinations usually requires you to consider more factors than when visiting familiar, highly explored places. Therefore, it is best to plan way ahead to save yourself a great deal of headache.
Wondering where to start? Here are the basic items to check off the list:
Book those tickets
I don’t think this needs an extra explanation but let me say it just in case: Book your plane tickets as early as possible. This is how you can get your favourite seat and enjoy a more comfortable and pleasant flight.
Also, if you are a frequent traveller and have any loyalty points, use them to upgrade. Now, have in mind that business and first class are not your only options. You have choices like premium economy that can also provide that extra comfort you need to indulge in a long flight.
Pack smart
Packing is an art. I am sure you have already read tons of advice and tips on how and what to pack. However, let me just list a few must-packs as a reminder below:
- Face coverings/masks
- Sleep masks
- Noise-cancelling headphones
- Books, magazines, and/or a device with pre-downloaded movies, loaded podcasts, etc.
- Activities for kids if you are travelling with your children.
- Flight pillow
- Travel blanket
Also, please do not overdo it. Travel as lightly as possible. Taking too many things is a mistake beginner travellers often make. To avoid it, I suggest you explore different options on how to make the best use of your suitcase capacity, such as the video below:
Make the proper airport arrival
It might seem unnecessary to stress this point, but you have no idea how often people are actually late to the airport. Besides, they tend to forget stuff, carry too many things, not know the flight details, and so on.
Therefore, we advise you to take the time to leave early enough and book a ride to the airport beforehand. Also, please be aware of all departure details in advance. One of the best feelings is to check-in early and have sufficient time to sit down and de-stress. Enjoying a meal, browsing through a magazine, or some shopping may lift your spirits and help you get through your long-haul journey easier.
Prepare for the jet lag
I guess most of us here are adults, so we all know how important a good night’s rest is. Therefore, if you are travelling to a different time zone, you might want to adjust your sleep routine a few days before your flight. Other important weapons in fighting jet lag are proper hydration, increased physical activity, and a few quick naps here and there.
Eat healthy
We all know that aeroplane food is not always the best. Very often, it is tasteless and can cause problems like bloating, skin irritation, and upset stomach. To avoid this, you might want to bring your own healthy snacks. You can use a convenient flight-friendly cooler to keep your food fresh and tasty.
Dress properly
Dressing is a matter of style as much as of convenience. This is especially true when you travel. While I believe you should stay loyal to your style, I also think that you should stress upon convenience when choosing the outfit for your flight. For example, if you are a stiletto lover, you might want to consider ditching your high heels for a few hours and choosing elegant flat shoes or kitten heels instead.
That is not to say that you cannot look stylish at the airport. On the contrary, there are tons of fashionable looks you can explore to enhance your appearance and still feel cosy during your flight. In general, flat shoes/sneakers, boyfriend jeans, basic tops and big scarfs are the experienced traveller’s most preferred clothing items. Layering is also extremely important when it is cold, or you are travelling to different climate zones.
Use your time wisely
If you do not feel like sleeping during the best part of your flight, you can dedicate your time to doing some work on your laptop or tackle any unfinished tasks. You could also advance your skills by listening to professional podcasts and reading specialized literature. After all, that is why we carry all kinds of devices with us.
Expand your horizons
If you are a sociable person, you can use your time at the airport and during the flight to strike up a few exciting conversations. There are plenty of interesting people hanging around the airport lounges, and you can hear all sorts of amazing stories from them. You can learn new things, expand your horizons, and gain meaningful connections. Also, you can chat up the passenger seated next to you or even the cabin crew. Travelling is a social experience, so why not just enjoy your new encounters?