If you have your blanket and pillow, you won’t have to worry about staying warm or getting a stiff neck.
Listening to music on any suitable personal device you may have brought with headphones, can also help you drown out the noise around you.
Take clothes that will keep you warm in case the plane gets cold. Some flights can get pretty chilly, so make sure you take a fleece or sweater, a scarf, or maybe even a knit hat to keep you warm in case that happens. Wear layers. Make sure you have a tank top or t-shirt under the long-sleeved shirt or sweater you’re wearing. Planes can also get really hot around take off and landing, and you don’t want to be stuck in a heavy shirt with nothing underneath. Take warm socks. Socks can help keep your feet warm if you’re wearing sandals, and they can also be a great substitute for shoes so your feet are comfortable on your flight. Instead of stiff pants or jeans, wear leggings, sweatpants, compression socks, warm boots, a light, soft, scarf, or loose pants to keep you comfortable. If you’re getting off the plane and heading straight out to explore the city where you’re staying, then take a change of clothes with you in your carry-on luggage. Silk long underwear is lightweight, takes up no room, and is great if you are going to a colder climate and don’t want to buy an entire wardrobe for it. Ditto for a black cashmere sweater.
Note that the TSA association limits liquids, gels, and aerosols to 3. 4oz. /100. 55ml. per container; and up to 1 quart for each hand carry luggage.
On the other hand, some items will be handy during the trip itself and not just on the plane (for example an MP3 Player or an eReader), so letting them do double duty is great. The other thing to consider is that, if you want to pay for a movie or on-flight entertainment, it can be quite expensive. Though it’s complimentary on some flights, you should look into the policy of the airline you’re taking. You may be better off renting a movie on iTunes or Google Play and watching it on your Tablet or computer (though the volume may be a bit lower than it would be on the plane’s movies) for 3-4 dollars a pop than paying 10 dollars or more to watch a movie on the plane. Also, if you select your movies in advance, you’ll have more options to choose from.
Take your cell phone; you may need it on the trip and even if it cannot be used on the plane, it should be with you for safekeeping. Keep in mind that many newer planes have in-flight entertainment available. And if you take a laptop or Tablet, make sure to have fully charged it before leaving. Depending on the length of the flight, you may wish to consider investing in a portable battery pack to keep all of your electronics fully charged if there are no power points available on the plane.
Novels (take more than one in case your book gets boring) Celebrity gossip magazines, such as Us Weekly Reputable magazines, such as The New Yorker, The Economist, or TIME The newspaper Materials to read for school or work If you like to write, you can also take writing material, such as a journal, a laptop, or an article you’re preparing. This can be the perfect time to write.
You can also take a notepad so you can play games like MASH or Hangman with another person. You can also come prepared with some simple games that only require you to talk. For example, you can play “Geography”: all you do is say the name of a country or city; after that, your partner has to say the name of a country or city that starts with the last letter of the country or city you said; then you have to do the same, and you go back and forth until one of you can’t think of anything to say or repeats a country or city that was already said. You can also take a book of Mad Libs to keep you and your friend or seat mate entertained.
You can also take a book of MENSA brain teasers, which will be a combination of word puzzles, number puzzles, and other tricky challenges.
If you’re really desperate to charge one of your electronic devices, one of the flight attendants may do this for you in the back of the plane, but don’t count on it. Many airlines today allow you to charge in flight. Look on seatguru. com and look up the different options available to you.
Apples Trail mix Almonds, cashews, or pistachios (Make sure no one in the vicinity has aerial allergies) A granola bar (as long as it doesn’t crumble too much) Yogurt-covered raisins Pretzels Dried mango or bananas
Of course, while it’s very important to drink water, you also don’t want to be running to the bathroom every five minutes to pee, especially if you have a window seat and are worried about inconveniencing the people in your row. Find a balance between staying hydrated and not having your bladder feel full the whole time. Keep in mind that it’s more important, though, to be hydrated with a full bladder than to be dehydrated and not have to pee.
Just make sure that your container of eye drops is small enough that you can take it on the plane and make it through security with it without a problem.
Hydrate the day before the flight and during the flight Wear compression stockings to keep your legs from swelling if you’re at risk (talk to your doctor about risk factors) Avoid alcohol the night before or during the flight because it will dehydrate you. The same goes for coffee, soft drinks, and chocolate. Take baby aspirin the night before and the day of your flight if you don’t have any problems with ulcers. Try to get an aisle seat so you can easily walk around the plane.
If you’re thinking of taking a sleep aid to help you sleep on an overnight flight, make sure you try it out in advance. You don’t want to try it for the first time on your flight and then end up having a miserable experience on your flight and after you land.
Check out what entertainment is offered by the airline. Many newer aircraft types offer individualized monitors in the back of the seat right in front of you, so that you don’t have to crane your neck to try to see a wobbly old movie screen with someone else’s head in front of it. A lot of these individual entertainment centers now come with lots of movies, news, documentary, etc. choices, as well as radio, music and games that can be played using a handheld device that lifts out from the seat.
Most airlines allow you to choose your seat when you book your flight. Don’t overlook this important aspect of booking the flight, even if you’re in a rush. If you didn’t choose a seat online, try to choose it when you check in, or even at the gate of the flight. Though your flight might be full and you may not be able to switch your seat, it’s worth trying. You can try to sit toward the front of the plane so you get to board earlier and leave the plane earlier. The downside is that you may be further from the bathroom. You should try to get a seat in an exit row, where you’ll have more leg room. Try to avoid seats in front of the exit row, however. Some of them do not recline! You should also avoid the seats at the very back of the plane. Not only do the seats in the last row typically not recline, but they’ll be right near the bathrooms, so the smell won’t be as pleasant. Choose the window seat if you can. It has been said that looking out the window during takeoff reduces dizziness.
If you’re prone to motion sickness, you can also take motion-sickness medication or even ginger tablets to help you feel well during your flight; though it’s important to read the instructions on your medication, you should generally take motion sickness pills about two hours before your flight.
Be aware of baggage weight and size restrictions. Even more painful to your wallet than losing the pocket knife is the damage inflicted in fees for overweight bags! And if your carry-on bag is too big, you’re stuffed, so get it right from the beginning. See How to avoid airline baggage fees for more information.
Organize any visas needed before traveling. It is much easier to do this before you leave for another country than to be standing in line in a foreign airport endlessly worrying that they might not let you in. Arrange for a mixture of foreign cash, traveler’s checks and credit/debit cards for overseas travel. Talk to your bank to see what they offer in the way of exchange rates.
Be sure to have left information with neighbors, friends and family about what to do in the event of an emergency with your property (house, car, etc. ), your pets or any children you’ve left behind with relatives or, if they’re old enough, in your house.
While you’re waiting in the airport, read How to be comfortable on a long airplane trip for ways to cope while on board!
