Long flights are a necessity if you really want to see the world. The anticipation of reaching your destination may be getting you excited, but if you don’t have a comfortable and easy flight, your entire experience can be tarnished. The question is what should I take on a long haul flight?
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Many people have the misconception that the only way to fly comfortably is to book a first-class or business class ticket, but if you know the right techniques, you can make your economy class seats quite comfortable.
Of course, they won’t be anything like first class, but you can still make a significant improvement by following some simple steps and packing the right items with you.
These secrets are the basis of how to survive long haul flights in economy.
To help you with your long flights, here is a list of the six most vital things that you should be equipped with for a smooth, comfortable and relaxing flight. These long haul flight essentials will help you travel like a pro.
What Should I Take On A Long Haul Flight?
Earplugs or hearing aids
One of the most uncomfortable sensations you have to feel on a flight is when your ears get blocked because of the cabin pressure. The taking off and landing are legitimately the worst parts of the flight. The blocked ears, engine noise, crying babies and overall experience is horrible.
Your flight can get worse if you have the flu or a sinuses problem. For many people, who have sinus issues, flights can be extremely challenging. Their ears get blocked, but they don’t pop open until the end of the flights. The sinuses pressure combined with the cabin pressure of the plane makes for a very uncomfortable flight.
An easy fix for this problem is using earplugs. Many earplugs that are specifically designed to regulate pressure inside the ears are available in the market. These earplugs can make take-offs and landings a lot more comfortable.
Another major problem related to hearing that everyone has to face is the loud noise of the plane’s engine. Though it is more of a humming sound instead of a roar, like other engines, it can make listening to others a bit difficult. Hearing aids can help you increase the audibility of the people next to you.
A comfortable neck pillow
Another essential travelling item that you can’t afford to leave behind, especially when you are travelling in economy-class is a neck pillow. It is quite common for passengers to have a sore neck after a long 20-hour flight. They usually also have back pain, and they are super tired and fatigued, because the seats in economy class, were not made with comfort in mind.
All of this discomfort on the flight and the aches and pain after it are enough to ruin any wonderful trip. Therefore, to counter this issue, you should always carry a good quality neck pillow with you when you are travelling. Not only does a neck pillow provide your neck with the necessary support, but it can also make sleeping on a plane a possibility.
There are many kinds of lightweight and comfortable neck pillows available in the market, hence look for one that is better suited to your posture and stature.
The right clothing
Packing is an essential and necessary part of travelling, but instead of carrying two or more giant bags, without the essential items for flight comfort, you should look for a simple and sleek bag. If you are a single traveller on a budget, then a backpack is the best choice for you; otherwise, a small trolley case, with a carry on should be more than enough.
You also need to make sure that you have the required clothing items for a long flight. Here are some items that you will need.
Comfy slip-on shoes: Wearing a comfortable pair of footwear that you can easily take off will be very useful, especially when you are getting through the security screening and when you want to relax on the plane. Make sure that the shoes are comfortable to walk in as well because you will need to walk a lot in the huge airport terminals to get to your flight.
Smart wool socks: Taking your shoes off on the plane is quite relaxing. It gives you the freedom to sit up on your seat and be more comfortable, but you also need to think about the people who are sitting beside you. Wearing smart wool socks ensures that your feet will stay warm and they won’t smell either!
A light windbreaker: Airport terminals and planes can get cold sometimes, they are internally cooled, and especially at night it can get a bit chilly. So, to stay comfortable, whether you are on the plane in an airport terminal for a mid-flight stay, a windbreaker can be very effective in keeping you warm. A hoodie can also work great, and as an extra bonus, a hoodie can also work as a not so subtle, do not disturb sign.
Snacks – What food to bring on long haul flight
Most travellers don’t have such a great experience with inflight food, especially when it is served in economy class. It usually isn’t too bad, but it isn’t delicious either.
Instead of relying entirely on the food given to you on the plane; you should bring some tasty snacks along with you. Here are some of the best snacks that you should bring on a flight.
Nuts: This delicious and fun snack will provide you with a decent amount of healthy energy, and it will also be very delicious, as you can use any nuts that you like.
Trail mix: A delicious and nutritious combination between dried food and nuts makes up a trail mix. It is an excellent snack for a long journey.
Protein bars: They are perfect for when you are feeling a little extra hungry. Take a look at this post ‘can i take protein powder on a plane?’
Mint chewing gum: After spending too much time on the flight, your breath can get a little harsh, mint chewing gum can be very useful in freshening you up and making you feel more energetic. Offering someone gum is also a great conversation starter.
If you want some comprehensive details on what food you can take on a flight, this post should really help guide you.
Entertainment
In a long multiple hour flight, you don’t have much to do. The first-class and economy class seats may have their media platforms to watch movies or anything else on, but most economy class seats don’t have this speciality. Even if they do, the premade playlists for the films and music offer a minimal range of content.
Therefore, to make sure that you stay entertained on the flight, you should bring some form of entertainment with you. Downloading some movies on your laptop or phone, installing a video game or app, buying a book and making a killer music playlist are all great option to counter boredom while travelling on a long flight.
If you are looking to limit the use of gadgets, you can also start a conversation with the person on the seat next to you. You can find some amazing and exciting people on the flight if you take the time to listen to their stories.
Essential gadgets
Anyone who has some experience of travelling on planes knows that there is a specific set of gadgets and devices that are essential for a decent and comfortable flight. Apart from your phone and laptop, you should also be carrying these essential travel gadgets;
A portable battery pack: A portable power bank is maybe the most crucial gadget you will need on a long flight. As we all know, the battery of modern smartphones hardly lasts a day, and when you are continually using your devices for entertainment, they are bound to run out of juice. A portable battery will help you keep your phone and other devices charged and stay connected.
A portable Wi-Fi hotspot, with data roaming: Connecting to the open WIFI networks at airports don’t feel too secure, and speed isn’t that reliable either. A portable WIFI hotspot device will provide you with a speedy and stable connection to the web.
A camera: The journey is as important as the destination. So, a camera is also essential to capture memories when you are in the airport and taking flights.
Wireless headphones: Listening to some quality music can be a great pastime. A set of high-end wireless headphones can be enjoyable and useful on a long flight.
Here were some of the basic things that you need to have with you for a comfortable flight. You may not get the first-class experience, but you can make your routine flight as comfortable and relaxing as possible by using the mentioned items. So, that’s all, and have an excellent trip.
So, that concludes my secrets on what should I take on a long haul flight. Follow these steps for a flight that will eave you fresh and refreshed at the other end.
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