In this post I bring you some tips for long flights that can help you make the experience more bearable.

When you are working on board the plane, time flies, never better said. However, as a passenger, long flights can be super boring. You have to wait a long time at the airport, the airplane seats are not the most spacious in the world, so to speak, you have to suffer from the dryness of the air on the plane during the flight, you don't know what they are going to give you to eat and if you You're going to like it, and you don't know if the onboard entertainment program is good in case you can't sleep or if you're going to be bored out of your mind ایران چارتر.

If you travel a lot by plane, perhaps what I'm going to tell you won't tell you anything new. However, every day I encounter passengers who are more lost than an octopus in a garage once on board, so I think some people can benefit from the following tips for long flights:

1. Book a direct flight if possible
Sometimes flights with stops are cheaper and are worth booking, although I prefer direct flights to waste less time and the trip doesn't seem so long. If I have to do it with a stopover, I make sure it is either a short stopover that is bearable at the airport, or a long one in which you have time to go out and visit something (this will also depend on the place it is and how it is connected). the airport with the city).

Of course, if you plan to leave the airport in the country where you make a stopover, make sure you have the corresponding visa if necessary.

I also recommend that you take a good look at the flight schedules when booking and think about how they will affect your trip or possible jet lag. This may seem very logical, but I have seen too many people who buy a flight looking only at the price and do not pay attention to details such as that it will take more than 30 hours to reach their destination...

2. Reserve the most suitable seat for you
If you intend to sleep during the flight without anyone bothering you, I recommend booking a window seat . This way you can lean against the wall for more comfort and prevent people passing by in the hallway or who want to get up to go to the bathroom from waking you up.

If, on the other hand, you are one of those who cannot sit still and prefer to be able to get up without problems whenever you feel like it, it is best to reserve an aisle seat .

Seats with more space:
There are certain seats on airplanes where you have more legroom, such as emergency exits or seats behind a wall . Of course, when choosing one of these seats you must be aware that a series of rules must be met for this.

Only people of a certain age are allowed to sit in emergency exits (check on your airline's website), who must have absolute mobility and be willing to help the crew in case of emergency. You will also have to take into account that during the takeoff and landing phases you must store all your belongings in the overhead compartments.

Seats behind a wall also have more legroom. However, keep in mind that these seats are often assigned to people traveling with babies, as this is where cribs can be placed if the airline has this service. Therefore, if you want peace of mind during the flight, it may not be the best option.

3. Research upgrade options
It is also advisable to check the prices for upgrading to other classes such as Premium Economy or Business . Sometimes companies launch offers at the last minute and it could be worth it. It is also usually possible to upgrade with miles , if you are enrolled in the airline's loyalty program.

Once on board the plane you can also upgrade, but it is usually more expensive and is subject to seat availability.

4. Travel with light luggage
Leave everything you don't need and are not important items in your checked luggage and carry as little as possible in your cabin suitcase or backpack . Consider whether you can buy some things like toiletries at your destination to save space.

Make sure you check the measurements and maximum weight your hand luggage should have on the airline's website, as this varies depending on the company. In any case, you should always be able to place it yourself in the upper compartment.

I recommend bringing a small bag or backpack that you can place under the front seat with the things you will need during the flight.

If you keep something in the seat pocket, be sure to check it carefully before disembarking. It is much more common than you might think for people to forget mobile phones, wallets or tablets that they have left in their pockets.

5. Arrive at the airport well in advance
For long flights it is usually recommended to be at the airport 3 hours before departure .

Normally boarding begins about an hour before the flight departure. To this we must add the time it takes to check in luggage, go through security control, passport control... so it is better not to take risks.

To pass the security check more quickly, I recommend that you have everything well prepared . Take out all the objects you carry in your pockets and place them inside your carry-on luggage. Take off your jacket and belt. If you have liquids in your luggage, take them out and have them ready. The same if you are carrying a laptop: take it out of the case because it has to go separately from the luggage.

As for liquids , make sure each container is no more than 100 ml. All liquids must go together in a transparent bag with a closure system that does not exceed 1 liter in capacity. Only one bag can be carried per person and it must be able to be completely closed. I use the typical resealable freezer bags and that way I make sure I always have some at home.

6. Wear comfortable clothes for long flights
It is essential to dress in comfortable clothing for long plane trips . Keep in mind that you are going to be sitting for a lot of hours and it is better to wear something that does not constrict you and be uncomfortable.

I recommend wearing layers of clothing so you can take things off or on depending on the temperature. On planes it can sometimes be quite cold due to the air conditioning, so even if it is summer I advise you to bring a sweater that you can put on if necessary.

Bringing a shawl or scarf is also a good idea, as it can also be used as a blanket or even a pillow. Many companies usually give you a blanket on long flights, but sometimes it is not enough.

It is also good to wear comfortable shoes . If you are going to take off your shoes during the flight, wear shoes that you can easily put on when you get up or go to the bathroom.

Please avoid going barefoot to the bathroom. It's something I still don't get completely used to seeing after so much time. Don't think that what's always on the bathroom floor is water...

7. Put on compression stockings
Compression stockings are my personal exception to the tight clothing issue. Since I first tried them for a long flight and saw how rested my legs became, they have become an essential item on my packing list.

These stockings help promote circulation, prevent swelling and avoid risks of deep vein thrombosis.

8. Don't wear makeup
During a long plane trip your skin will be very dry and with makeup you will notice it more and you will be very uncomfortable. Additionally, it can cause redness or pimples to appear. Instead, I recommend using a good moisturizer and giving your skin a rest during the flight.

If you don't like the idea of ​​arriving at your destination makeup-free, you can always carry a small toiletry bag with what you need to put on your makeup before landing, or at the airport upon arrival, which will be more convenient. If you are going to put on makeup on the plane, make sure it is done in time before the seat belts fasten sign for landing is activated.

Another tip that your skin will appreciate during long flights is to carry a moisturizing hand cream and a lip balm , since the lack of hydration is also very noticeable in both areas of the body.

9. Drink plenty of water
Have I already mentioned that hydration is important ?

The humidity level in an airplane cabin is around 15% or less, which is quite low. Even in the desert the humidity is higher. This causes dry skin, eyes and nose.

To protect ourselves a little against this, it is highly recommended to drink plenty of water . Juices are also a good alternative, but avoid drinking alcoholic beverages or coffee , as both have a dehydrating effect.

During long flights, airlines will usually offer you a free drink service. The crew also usually stops by the cabin at certain times of the flight offering passengers a glass of water or juice. However, I think it is much more convenient when one has his own water bottle and can drink as much as he wants whenever he wants.

Therefore, I advise you to carry your own empty bottle in your hand luggage and refill it at a water dispenser in the airport terminal after passing through security.

10. Bring snacks to eat during long flights
The most normal thing is that during long flights the airline offers you at least one free meal service. However, several hours will pass from the moment you leave home until the service is performed on board. That is why it is better to be well prepared, since at any moment you can get hungry. It may also happen that you don't like the food they offer you on the plane.

It is always a good idea to bring a snack for these occasions. Fruit, nuts, protein bars or cookies are some good options.

This tip is especially important if you are traveling with children. They may find it more difficult to wait for food time to arrive, so it will always be good to have something to give them.

Important : do not forget to inform yourself about the regulations on the introduction of food products in the destination country . If you have something left over that you brought to eat and you don't know if it is legal to bring it into the place you are traveling to, it is better to leave it on the plane than risk having problems at customs control.

11. Reserve your special meal if you need it
Many airlines offer you the possibility of requesting a special meal for allergy, health or religious reasons, or if you follow a special diet. This service is usually free.

There are many possibilities: vegetarian and vegan food, especially for children and babies, kosher, halal, gluten-free, low in salt, etc. Check with your airline at the time of booking. It is very important to do this in advance, since on board the plane you will only have meals that have been previously ordered from the catering service.

12. Avoid flying with a cold
Surely you have ever noticed that your ears get clogged when traveling by plane. This is a very common thing that occurs due to sudden changes in pressure. This disorder is known as barotrauma and occurs when a large pressure difference occurs between the inner and outer parts of the eardrum.

Some more common symptoms are a sensation of blockage, ear pain or slight deafness. This is usually not serious and the symptoms will disappear on their own after the flight. If you suffer from nasal congestion due to a cold or allergy, these symptoms can worsen. In severe cases, an eardrum rupture may occur.

Since prevention is better than cure, I recommend that in the days before the trip you try to take precautions to avoid catching a cold. Once on board the plane, there are some very simple things you can do to regulate the pressure , especially during takeoff and landing:

• Yawning, chewing gum, or swallowing food.
• Valsalva maneuver during landing: it involves blocking your nose with your fingers, closing your mouth and exhaling strongly.
• Do not sleep during takeoff or landing, to be able to perform these techniques.

13. Sleep during long flights
Without a doubt one of the things that helps make a long trip as short as possible is falling asleep! However, if you are like me this is easier said than done.

Take everything you need in your hand luggage to be as comfortable as possible. Some things that can help you with this are a good neck pillow (there are inflatable ones that take up little space), eye mask and earplugs .

Keep your seatbelt fastened throughout the flight to avoid the crew having to wake you up in case of turbulence.

If you have trouble sleeping, avoid distractions like watching an interesting movie. What I do is that in the first hours of the flight, while the service is being carried out and the lights are all on, I take the opportunity to watch a series or movie. Then when they dim the cabin lighting, that's when I try to sleep listening to relaxing music, for example.

14. Fight boredom
Nowadays, most airlines have a good in-flight entertainment system for long flights. In most cases, each passenger even has their own screen so that everyone can see what they want. These systems, in addition to movies and series, also offer games and different types of music to listen to.

However, my advice is to always bring some entertainment of your own in case the screen doesn't work and a normal reset doesn't fix it (it already happened to me once when I was a passenger). Or in case none of the options offered by the system convince you at that moment.

Some good options to carry in your hand luggage are: series and movies on your cell phone, laptop or tablet, some interesting books, a notebook to write things down during the flight, card games if you are accompanied (or if you become friends with someone). sits next to you), music to listen to or the travel guide of the country you are going to visit to inform you about the destination.

15. Move from time to time
It is good that you try to get up from your seat at least every two hours to stretch your legs a little and help blood circulation. This will help prevent the possible formation of blood clots.

Choose good times to do this, such as after meal service or any other work the crew is doing in the cabin. Also avoid times when there is turbulence and respect the fastened seat belt signs.

You can take advantage of some time when the crew has nothing to do to approach and start a conversation. Many times you will find crew members who have been to the country you are going to visit several times and will be able to recommend some great places where they have been.