I’d be lying if I said flying was my favorite thing. Actually, I kind of hate flying. I hate the feeling of being ‘trapped’, I hate how cramped most flights are, and I get physically ill every single time because of my motion sickness. Despite (or maybe because of) this, I have learned some tips and tricks along the way that help me be more comfortable and have a less miserable experience. After all, travel is supposed to be fun and enjoyable!
If you’re like me and you’re in need of a little extra comfort when flying, check out these tips below.
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1. Dress Appropriately.
Have you ever seen anything on Pinterest that’s labeled as ‘travel outfit’ or ‘plane outfit’ and it’s someone super dressed up and they look super uncomfortable? Yeah, well this is me reminding you that you don’t have to look ‘cute’ on a flight. You don’t have to wear your cutest outfit. Prioritizing comfort over style is CRUCIAL for in-flight comfort.
On one of my most recent flights, I was wearing this new pair of jeans that I loved, a kind of dressier shirt and sandals. I looked cute, but I can not even begin to tell you how much I regretted that outfit. I was already uncomfortable from running through the airport to get to the terminal on time, but by time I sat down in the plane seat and felt my ‘cute’ jeans cutting into my stomach, I was already dreaming about sweatpants.
If you want to be comfortable, it’s important that you dress comfortably.
My suggestions: leggings or sweatpants, sneakers and a loose fitting shirt. Layers are also important. Some planes are hot (I swear my last flight was 85° and the air vents did not work) and some planes are cold, so it’s important to have layers you can add or remove as needed. Pack a cozy oversized hoodie or a jacket that you can easily take on & off.
2. Get rid of motion sickness- before it starts.
At this point, I don’t think I could stand a flight without some sort of motion sickness medicine. Taking medicine before my flight is the difference between a flight where I am actually physically sick for hours or where I am comfortable and able to focus on something else besides my stomach aching.
Most people may not relate to this problem, but if you do, make sure you have some medicine on hand for your next trip, and take it about 30 minutes before your flight takes off.
I have tried it all, so here are my recommendations:
Before the flight: Dramamine
Out of all of the types of Dramamine, this one is by FAR the most effective in my experience.
During Flight: Ginger Drops
These are great to have in your bag for during the flight to help settle your tummy on any bumps.
Another thing I always do is ask for some ginger ale when the drink cart comes around. This is really helpful to ease any tummy ache I may be having.
3. Bring pillows and blankets
Most airlines allow you to bring a ‘personal item/bag’ in addition to your carry-on. This is the perfect way to bring a pillow and blanket along. If you have the bag space, roll up a small blanket and a travel pillow in your bag. That way once you’re on the plane, you can get all cozy and feel relaxed. I do this every flight and it brings me so much comfort.
4. Pick entertainment that will comfort you.
And by this, I mean plan out your entertainment so that you have something comforting and relaxing to do during the flight. I can’t tell you how many times I have boarded a flight with no idea what I was going to do the whole time. When that happens, I usually end up bored long before the flight is over and just counting down the minutes until I can get off of the plane. That’s not very comfy.
Now I go into every flight with a plan. Usually for me, that is downloading some episodes of my favorite TV shows (The Office) for offline access, that way I’m able to watch them even once I’ve left the ground. I try to find activities/shows/music that I know will relax me. I’ve done away with trying to use my flight time as ‘productivity’ time.
I encourage you to think about what makes you feel comforted and at peace- and fill your flight time with those activities. Read that book you’ve been wanting to read, watch some episodes of your favorite show, draw, do whatever it is that comforts you.
5. Keep yourself cool
If you are hot-natured, flights can be a nightmare. A/C is not a guarantee and being packed into your seat like a sardine can make it hard to keep cool. After my previously mentioned super hot flight, I plan to get this little fan for all of my future flights. It can be powered by batteries, which makes it perfect for trips. It’s small size means it won’t take up much luggage space, but can still make a big difference when it comes to comfort.
In-flight temperature is another reason it’s important to dress comfortably. Wearing loose-fitting clothing can make all the difference here.
6. Keep all the essentials with you.
And by essentials, I mean all the little things may need to keep cool, calm and collected. Planes can be dry and uncomfortable, so it’s super helpful to have little things like chapstick, lotion, hair ties, tissues, bottled water, etc. These are such small items you can carry on but will make a huge difference one you start to feel your skin drying out or your nose feeling runny.
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