How To Survive Long Flights From Hell

If you want to know how to survive long flights, you’ve come to the right place. I grew up in the military and survived a long flight on a C-130 that took three days. We sat in webbed seating, and there was no such thing as in-flight entertainment. The food we ate, we brought ourselves. I survived a nightmare flight on Norwegian Air. I believe in traveling cheaply, so I’m not afraid to do without a few comforts. But, there are ways to make your ride more comfortable. I’m here to tell you how.

How To Survive Long Flights From Hell 

1. Dress Comfortably

One of my top tips for how to survive long flights is to wear comfortable clothes. You can still dress stylishly and be comfortable at the same time. Dress in layers, so you will be comfortable temperature wise. Some great things to wear on the plane  are yoga pants, sweatshirts, and scarves. Always take a pair of socks for cold feet.

2. Upgrade

Use your frequent flier miles to upgrade from economy class. Also, it never hurts to check the price at the airport of upgrading your flight. Sometimes, it just takes a simple request, and the flight agent will upgrade you for free.

3. Pack Good Snacks

You don’t have to worry if the food will be good if you bring some snacks of your own. I like to bring trail mix, cheese and a baguette, protein bars, chocolate, apples, and dried fruit.

4. Charge All Of Your Devices Before Your Flight

Many planes now have outlets at your seat, but not all of them do, so make sure to charge your devices before you travel. Make use of your own entertainment such as an iPod, Kindle, and headphones.

5. Don’t Bring Too Much In Your Carry On

There is less room in the overhead bins than ever, so that usually means being forced to fly with your carry on at your feet. Don’t cram it full. This way you will have more leg room on the flight. For advice on what to bring in your carry on, read this article. 

6. Drink Lots Of Water

Dehydration is a common cause of jet lag. Make sure to drink plenty of water. I bring my own water bottle on the plane, and ask the flight attendant to refill it, rather than being served the tiny glass they give you. Also, avoid alcohol while flying, as this will dehydrate you even more.

7. Sleep On The Plane

In this article, I share my tips for sleeping on the plane. My biggest tip is to take poppy-seed extract . It is a miracle for sleeping. I also share my tips for avoiding jet lag here.

8. Keep Your Stuff Safe While Flying

People do have their stuff stolen while in the air. Don’t leave your electronic devices and passport lying on your seat when you take a trip to the bathroom. Take them with you or hide them deep in your carry on. It’s best to carry large amounts of cash in a money belt.

9. Get The Window Seat

There’s nothing more annoying than sitting in the aisle seat and having to get up every time someone else needs to get up. Plus, having the window seat gives you a place to put your head while sleeping.

10. Boost Your Immune System

Many people catch other’s colds when flying. I try to prevent that. I rub Thieves essential oil, which boosts your immune system, on the bottom of my feet before flying. I take Echinacea about a week before flying, and I also take Airborne before flying.

If you have tips for how to survive long flights, leave them in the comments below!