HOW TO SURVIVE A LONG HAUL FLIGHT

Let?s face it, no one, I mean nobody likes a long ride. Who told you there are no bottlenecks in the air? You must be kidding, there are! You are about to leave for your latest travels, but there are some forces getting in your way, standing between all the enjoyment you are about to have and that is long airplane ride.

People spend nearly an entire day of their lives off ground just like Lagos traffic, in cruising altitude limbo, only to land with the kind of jet-lag that eclipses tiredness. For any serious traveler, long-haul flights is evil.

Today, air travel is growing faster than ever before. With each passing year, more people are connecting far corners of the earth. Owing to this, as well as the fact that technological advancements have been made in modern aviation.  

It is very uncommon to see flight durations of 10-15 hours long on airplanes. How many cringe at the thought of being in an airplane for up to 15hours at a time, especially in a standard economy seat and not much legroom. There are also concerns about the health implications of traveling frequently for business on these ultra long-haul flights. 

This article discusses helpful tips and techniques to assist the average traveler in dealing successfully with the strain of long flights and how they can manage the situation. 

1. Buy your ticket as early as possible: Waiting and hoping that flight prices will drop is not worth the trouble. Not only does buying ticket early gives you a peace of mind,  it increases the likelihood that there are enough seats open for you to choose or pick where you want to sit. Whether you prefer to sit and cuddle up top a window, have easy access to the aisle, stretch your leg by the exit row. Even if you experience a long-haul flight, buying your ticket on time helps you survive the stress of having a bad seat because you get to be comfortable.

1. Wear comfortable clothes or outfit: That fitted cloth you are thinking of wearing that makes you look chic and guyed-up is very cool but trust me, after sitting and attempting to sleep in them for 15hours, you will never want to try wearing them again. When it comes to long distance travel, stick with comfortable clothes so that you can move around and to also avoid wardrobe malfunction.

1. Invest in a good travel pillow, earplugs, and a sleep mask: A you are getting excited packing up things like your toothpaste, toothbrush, clothes, slippers, etc. do not forget your ear plugs. It helps you stay relaxed in long-haul flights. While some airlines may provide sleeping mask, it would not hurt if you brought your own just in case. Pillows are also necessary if you need to relax your back.

1. Take the smallest personal item you can: Always opt for bags that are versatile and soft, so you can limit space if need be. No matter how tall or short you are, when it comes to sitting in the same seat for hours, every inch of your leg room is sacred. Don?t bring in too many items as you may get tired and won?t be able to store them under the seat in front of you.

1. Food and Drink: It is very important to stay hydrated  throughout a flight because the lower pressure within an airplane cabin increases the rate at which the body loses water. For the above reasons, it is also important to avoid alcohol and caffeine just before and during flight as these can increase the rate of dehydration, increase blood pressure and worsen jet lag symptoms. It light meals at regular intervals instead of a single heavy meal. This would put less strain on the body and body and reduce the risk of indigestion.

1. Exercise and Rest: Research on light forms of foot, hand and hand exercises that can be done from your seat. These help to improve circulation  and relax muscles. Thus reducing the effect of jetlag. Taking walks across the cabin from time to time also has similar relaxing effect. Consider carrying  along a dose of aspirin as this is an effective blood thinner. It improves circulation and lowers the blood pressure leading to a more relaxed inflight experience. You may also want to consider sleeping tablets if you have trouble sleeping on airplanes. Also, resetting your watch to match your destination timezone will help your body readjust  to the required rest patterns quicker.

While long haul flights are not the most comfortable experience, they are still the quickest way to travel to far corners of the world and a true testament to the advancement of modern technology with regards to travel and tourism. Applying the above tips will help to make your longhaul experience all the more pleasant.