Staying comfortable on a long flight is no easy feat — unless, of course, you’re prepared. From cold cabins to crying babies, you have to consider your comfort from every angle. Luckily, that’s exactly what we’ve done!
And while it may seem overwhelming when all you want to think about is your anxiously awaited destination, you’ll want to keep in mind that the journey is just as important as the destination and jump into it with just as much enthusiasm!
1. Wear Comfortable Shoes
Flat, non-slip, simple-to-slide-on shoes that don’t give you blisters will be your savior when it comes to going through security, crazy crowds and running to your gate without accidents. To find flat, non-slip and non-blister athletic shoes for women is a better bet than anything else.
Unless you’re going tropical, know you’ll be taking it easy and ONLY want to bring sandals, absolutely opt to pack sleeker or squishier shoes like sandals — even if they’re the most comfortable sandals you’ve ever worn.
2. Settle in with Thick Comfortable Socks
If you remove your shoes, a good (and thick) pair of socks can keep you at an unrivaled level of comfort and cleanliness. Not only will this keep you warm and cozy, but will allow you to walk freely around the cabin without shoes and, more importantly, without filth collecting on your feet.
You’re going the extra mile on vacation, so go the extra mile for your veins and consider a pair of compression socks. The longer the flight, the longer the sit, so keep your chances of blood clots low!
3. Don’t Let Yourself Dry Out
Airplanes are very dry environments, and all it will take is a couple of hours to start feeling it in your eyes, lips and skin, so consider packing the following items in an easy-to-access place:
⦁ Lip balm for chapped lips.
⦁ Eye drops if you struggle with irritated or dry eyes.
⦁ Face wipes, micellar water, cream, lotion or otherwise — whatever your favorite face rejuvenator is! Not only will this keep you from feeling dry, but will refresh you and your appearance when you arrive at your destination!
4. Anticipate Temperature Changes
Airplanes are notoriously kept cold, but they can go from cold to hot or hot to cold without warning. Our best advice to combat it comfortably and conveniently? A simple blanket scarf that can be utilized to the fullest or toggled back as needed. As an added bonus, it can also be bunched up and used as a pretty good pillow!
5. Make Mid-Air Medications Easy
Products like small and discreet pill organizers and even water bottles with built-in pill organizers exist — and if you’re going to need your meds mid-air, you should probably have one!
6. Keep Your Blood Flowing
The longer the flight, the longer you sit. The longer you sit, the higher your risk of getting a blood clot. This is why it’s recommended that every two hours, you get up from your seat and stretch your legs to get the blood flowing. If you don’t feel like pulling on and lacing up your cute ankle boots or kicks again, you’ll be thankful that you brought those thick socks from above!
7. Escape the Environment as Best as You Can
Sleep, relax, read, watch a movie or work as much as possible. Because while we hate to say it, there’s not much point in trying to embrace the environment and immerse yourself in it. To escape the environment effectively, consider:
⦁ Utilizing noise-canceling headphones for ANY of the options above — and for the sake of saving some money and not having to buy on-flight headphones!
⦁ Bringing an e-reader or being an IRL reader. While an e-reader is undoubtedly the wiser option when it comes to travel, we will never argue with a traditional paper book!
⦁ Bringing a flexible tablet/phone holder — because nothing will take you out of your distraction more than having to fight the burn in your arm to hold it up in front of yourself for hours.
⦁ Bringing a power bank because you can’t escape into your phone, tablet or computer if it’s dead — and you can’t call a ride or look up directions when you land, either!
⦁ Utilizing an eye mask may help you to sleep, relax, think and, ultimately, escape!
8. Avoid Alcohol
Although it may be tempting to drink booze to facilitate sleep, especially if you haven’t prepared to escape the environment and you’re feeling bored, you should absolutely avoid alcohol. Instead, drink plenty of water and indulge in good quality snacks if you intend to avoid fatigue and beat probable jet lag.
9. Understand What Easy-to-Access Means
When it comes to easy-to-access items in your pockets or carry-ons, that shouldn’t be all that it means. Simply being in your part of the plane isn’t always going to mean easy to get to, so consider something like a smaller makeup bag or pencil case to keep your essentials in that stays on TOP of everything else in your bag or purse.
If you can find a small case either with a clear window or made entirely from a clear material, your efforts will not go unnoticed when you reach for an item and it is actually truly easy to access!
Appreciate Any Comfort That Comes Your Way…
Thanks to all of the tips above, you should be able to stay comfortable during your long flight. But don’t forget that it’s up to you to appreciate it! Even with your favorite comforter from your bed, your TV and your commonly-craved snacks, you likely wouldn’t be comfortable being packed in a big metal box up in the air with strangers.
As you cozy up in your blanket scarf, feel the plush socks on your feet, drown out the other passengers around you with noise-canceling headphones and dream of your destination, don’t forget to enjoy it!
Keep being AllDayChic!
