Travel tips for long flights

All of us are used to flying economy class, or what used to be known as “coach,” and putting up with all of its…challenges, shall we say? Wisconsin comedian Charlie Berens has a great take on one of them, the obnoxious fellow passenger: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYMxDRj62aY

            Lufthansa, the German airline, may have a solution. Its new cabin design for the privately-owned version of its new widebody aircraft, the 777X, includes your own bedroom with a king-size bed and a bathroom including a rain and massage shower. But if such amenities are eventually included in commercial aircraft, they’re bound to be pricey. So, back to economy class we go. But how to make it more tolerable, especially for long flights? CNN Underscored, a product and recommendations guide, has some tips:

·         Pick the right airline. Not all airlines are created equal. Travelers can use online tools like SeatGuru to see if the airline and aircraft you’re scheduled on has particular in-flight amenities. Sometimes options of competing airlines aren’t available, but when they are, you might be able to help yourself by requesting an airline with more than a few basic amenities.

·         Ask for an emergency exit row seat. Seats in these rows offer as much legroom as first class, if not more. You’ll have to verbally agree to assist your fellow passengers in the event of an emergency, but odds are strong that you won’t have to worry about that.

·         Wear comfortable clothing. You want to feel good on the trip, and dressing appropriately is always helpful. Wear loose-fitting clothing, compression socks, two or even three layers in the event the plane is chilly, and make sure your outfit is relatively stylish. Things to avoid include open-toed footwear (especially for men), tee shirts, and anything that might be worn to the beach or around bedtime. (Yes, people sometimes board long-haul flights in bikini tops or pajamas.)

·         Bring ear plugs or noise-canceling headphones. If you’re not inclined to watch movies on a flight, you’ll like ear plugs, especially if you want to sleep. The headphones give you the best of both worlds: superb sound for movies or music, and near-total silence when you want it.

·         Get a good neck pillow. There’s the simple one, available at every airport, that’s basically three-quarters of a doughnut. Now, though, you can get them with upgrades, like a hoodie pillow. The hoodie can be pulled over your eyes to block out light and keep your head warm at the same time.

·         To avoid back problems, bring a lumbar pillow. Economy seats are not nearly as comfortable as first-class, and don’t compare to your easy chair back home, so proper lumbar support is vital, especially for long flights. Don’t want to buy another pillow? Roll up your jacket and use it for lumbar support.

·         For long flights, a compression mask/eye pillow. Not only will this combo keep out light and help you sleep, but its gentle compression provides relief from headaches.

·         And, to get even more comfort…There’s now an inflatable travel pillow that will allow you to lean forward and rest against the pillow, which sits in your lap and is held in place by your hands looped through side vents. The 45-degree angle of the pillow provides an alternative to leaning back in the seat. There’s even a type of foot hammock available now, for the vertically challenged passenger whose feet might not reach the floor when their seat is reclined. The hammock hangs from the tray table and provides support for the feet.

Ready to face the challenges of economy class? Whether you’re traveling coach or want to upgrade, we’re ready to help. Give us a call, and we’ll get you in the air in comfort!