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Thanks to the marvel of flight, we are able to travel across countries and traverse the planet within hours. While the prospect of arriving in some far-off destination is exhilarating, enduring a long-haul flight can be a wearisome, uncomfortable, stressful but necessary trip. But if you know how to handle long flights, it can be an enjoyable experience that signifies the start of your exciting holiday or business trip.
What flights are considered long?
The duration of a long-haul trip lasts between 6 and 12 hours and sometimes longer, subject to how far you’re traveling. But soaring 35,000 feet above the ground in a sealed metal tube for hours on end with hundreds of strangers can be an abnormal environment.
Although airlines provide meals and entertainment packages to help pass the time, why are long-haul flights still exasperating and wearisome? Well, there are a few reasons. The multiple channels of movies, music, and games are supplied on the tiniest screens that may or may not function, depending on your luck.
Meals are often served late into the night with limited options and questionable expiry dates. You have to put up with strange body odors and behaviors of other passengers and restless children, and unless you’re a hobbit, the seats are hardly designed to offer a good night’s rest. Never mind the size of the toilet space, but the state of the ablutions after a couple of hours requires you to do a hit-and-run.
How to make a long flight better?
Jet lag is another big factor that makes a long-haul flight unpleasant. You’ve looked so forward to this trip and want to make the most of it but on arriving at your destination, you feel groggy and tired.
You won’t be able to prevent jet lag entirely. You can, however, mitigate the effects by taking melatonin a few days before your journey, avoiding layovers in different time zones, and not drinking coffee or alcohol during your flight.
These additional tips such as what is best to wear on a long flight will help you be better prepared in having a comfortable trip so you can start enjoying your vacation from the moment you take off.
What to take on board a long flight
Bring your own quality eye mask and earplugs and make sure these goods are in your carry-on luggage so you can access them during the journey. When there’s a screaming infant next to you, you’ll be grateful you have them.
Noise-canceling headphones are necessary to block out background noise and focus on your own taste in podcasts, music, or movies that you have on your tablet or smartphone (on Airplane Mode of course). Make sure you have your toothbrush and toothpaste handy to follow you’re going to sleep and waking up routine. And it helps to stay fresh.
Best clothes for long flights
Dress for comfort rather than style. While you don’t want to arrive at your destination in your pajamas, you do want to wear something comfortable that you can sleep in. Pack in a light jacket as temperatures in airplane cabins can be erratic. Avoid wearing jeans or leggings because anything that is too tight can become uncomfortable. Instead, opt for loose-fitting slacks, and comfy slip-on shoes.
What to eat before a long flight?
As the pressure in the cabin drops, the gas expands, which can make your stomach feel unpleasant. Furthermore, being in a confined space with so many other people can weaken your immune system. Eat light, simple meals before flying. Avoid sweets, eat a moderate amount of protein, and eat a lot of slow-burning complex carbs. A banana is an ideal option because it is high in potassium, which helps to regulate blood pressure and relieve muscle cramps. Vitamin C-rich fruits can help enhance immunity and spices and legumes irritate the gut, so avoid them.
The best way to sleep on long flights
When you don’t get enough sleep, you’ll be exhausted, and your jet lag will be worse. You apply pressure to one side of your body when you cross your legs, which can impede blood flow, so maintain a small bend in your knees while keeping both legs straight. Lean back in your seat as far as you and the person behind you are comfortable. To provide lumbar support, place a small pillow over the lower seatback, and add a neck pillow to boost comfort.
Why charter private jet flights are an excellent travel choice
If you want to avoid the issues that most passengers experience on commercial airlines, you can book a cruise trip that could take weeks if you have the time available. Choices are limited to long-distance travel overseas, but the best alternatives are private flight options.
If you’re looking for ways on how to make a long flight better, then chartering a private plane is the answer. They offer exceptional amenities that are significantly more luxurious than first-class cabins on commercial carriers. Private jets offer the greatest in air travel for an extraordinarily pleasant and enjoyable ride, from enormous cabin space and soft leather seats with complete privacy.
You may also like: Why Fly Private? Top 6 Advantages for Business Travelers
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