How to survive any long-haul flight
27.11.2017
Translation: machine translated
Do you have a flight across the pond coming up and the thought of sitting wedged in with lots of strangers for so long makes you a little nervous? I'll give you some tips to help you get through your long-haul flight better.
Find the perfect seat
On the Seat Guru website, you can find reviews of the seats of practically every airline and its aircraft. It shows you which seats offer more legroom, where there are defects (broken armrests, no power, faulty entertainment system) and where you can find a bit more peace and quiet despite the wooden class. I recommend checking in early online, so you are (almost) guaranteed your favourite seat.
I often check how full the aircraft is at the last minute and change my seat if necessary. I've often flown without a seat neighbour or had the whole row to myself.
Check the risk factors for thrombosis in advance
The risk of deep vein thrombosis is increased when travelling by plane for several hours. If you think you belong to an increased risk group, seek advice in advance as to whether medication or support stockings are advisable in your situation. Even healthy travellers or those without risk factors should drink enough water and exercise regularly during the flight as a preventative measure. Lufthansa magazine has created an interesting video with suitable exercises to do on the plane.
Adequate water helps to survive the flight better
The humidity in an aeroplane is below 20% and is similar to desert air. This dries out the body quickly. This can not only lead to dizziness, headaches and discomfort, but also to an increased risk of thrombosis. You should therefore drink around 250 millilitres per hour. It's best to choose mineral water or diluted juices. You should avoid alcohol altogether.
Snacks are limited - bring your own
Food on the plane is often not a culinary highlight. The sparsely filled snacks don't offer much more. So bring your own snacks. Darvida, pastries, fruit (please note that fruit may not be imported into certain countries, e.g. the USA), chocolate or bread rolls are perfect for this.
Choosing the right clothes
A jacket or jumper is not a bad choice for your hand luggage, even in summer. Aircraft are often heavily air-conditioned. A soft item of clothing can also serve as a great pillow if you have forgotten your travel pillow or don't have one. Comfortable and cosy socks for the flight are also always a good idea.
Always be nice to the flight attendants, they can save you in an emergency
Never forget: flight attendants are not just there to serve coffee and tea. That's one of their jobs. I once had the pleasure of sitting next to a very unpleasant passenger for ten hours. I spoke nicely to the crew about it and they kindly offered me a seat in Business Class.
Good headphones to avoid going mad
Although headphones are distributed on almost every flight, they are more like a toy.
Good headphones are a must to really enjoy the entertainment system and block out the one child who is screaming the whole flight. They can also help you if the person sitting next to you won't stop chatting - after all, it's hard to run away.
Don't let boredom set in
Most airlines offer a wide range of entertainment programmes on long-haul flights, but it never hurts to have a change of scenery on such a long journey. Download exciting books, games or films onto your tablet or smartphone. If you're not travelling alone, travel games can also be great fun. Last year, we bought a travel size of the game "Trivial Pursuit". It literally made the time fly by.
Cat washing
Good hygiene should not be neglected in the air, if only for the sake of the other passengers. Wet wipes are a great way to wash your cat and toothbrushes and toothpaste are now also available in a travel format.
So, and now I wish you a safe flight!
More on the topic of travelling:
Along with a great love for vegan food and football, running my blog is what I’m truly passionate about. I write about everything that makes girls’ eyes light up: travel, beauty and lifestyle. <a href="http://www.sopinklicious.com/" target="_blank">sopinklicious.com</a>
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