Airplane Tips to Make Your Travel a Little Easier

If You Don’t Like Turbulence, Book An Early Morning Flight.

Thunderstorms and wind usually happen during the afternoon, so try to book an early morning flight if you don’t like turbulence. Alternatively, seats in the middle of the plane (near the wing) tend to experience the least amount of movement.

 Book a Seat on the Left Side of the Plane.

To get off of the plane quicker, book a seat on the left side of the plane. This is because the jet way system attaches to the left side of the plane, meaning that the aisles will start exiting from that side first.

Sit at the Back.

There’s a common theme around flight attendants who will avoid serving people at the front where possible, especially when on longer flights. This is because when they order something, this item needs to be taken down through the plane where everyone can see it, and it can make other people want it as well.

Book Downloads.

I try and download books the week before a flight.  Make sure they actually downloaded to your kindle/nook. I always bring a back up book just in case. Trusting technology can stress me out.

Bring Your Own In-Flight Entertainment.

Always bring alternate entertainment with you when flying. This could include a book, a tablet, or even some paperwork that you need to get done. You never know when the entertainment options provided by the airline might not be working.  True story…United Flight: Chicago to Maui, wifi down, no in seat entertainment.  If we wouldn’t have had backups, it would have been a very long 9.5 hours.

Drink Water Before Boarding.

With humidity on an airline flight getting as low as 10 percent, passengers who fly often tend to get dehydrated easily. To keep from getting dehydrated, make sure to drink a bottle of water before boarding your flight. You should also visit the restroom before boarding just in case your flight is delayed on the runway.

Switch The Time on Your Devices.

If you frequently take long haul flights, then you know how bad jet lag can get. To fight jet lag, try switching your watch to the time zone of your destination the day you leave. Also, upon arrival, get some sun and take a short nap to refresh yourself.

 Don’t Drink the Water on the Plane.

If you plan on drinking water on the plane, make sure it is not the tap water available on the plane itself. There is no way to know how clean the tanks onboard really are. I am always worried about clean water when we travel.  Bringing your own bottle of water is a safer bet.

 Disinfect the Air Vent Above Your Seat.

Before turning on the air vent above your seat, make sure to wipe it down with a Clorox wipe. In addition, instead of pointing the vent toward your face, opt to point it toward your lap.  Doing so can help prevent you from catching a cold from the previous seat occupant.

 Disinfect the Tray Table.

In addition to disinfecting the air vent above your seat, you should disinfect the tray in front of you. You have no way of knowing who touched it last and failing to disinfect it by at least wiping it down could lead to you getting sick.

Wear Layers.

I can’t explain the importance of wearing layers when flying. All aircrafts can get uncomfortably cold. By wearing layers, you can take off and put on clothing as the temperature changes throughout the flight.

Carry a Pareo/Scarf.

A pareo is an oversized scarf. I am always cold on the plane, so I use it as a blanket.

Avoid Using Airline Blankets not Wrapped in Plastic.

If you must use a blanket from the airline while on a flight, make sure it is one that is wrapped in plastic. The same goes for pillows. Unwrapped blankets and pillows worry me as they may have been used by someone else.

Get Up and Walk on Longer Flights.

Make sure to stretch your legs longer flights.  Scary stuff, like blood clots and major calf cramps can occur if you do not get up and walk around.

Take Care of Yourself While Flying.

Airplanes are known to dehydrate the skin, especially on long flights.  To keep my skin looking fresh, I use a moisturizing facial spray and reapply lotion to face and hands.

And Especially On Oversees Flights.

When we travel oversees, I pack a toiletry kit with: toothbrush, toothpaste, contacts, eye glasses, face wash and cream.

Bring Along Earplugs or Headphones for Privacy.

For the ultimate in privacy while flying, bring along your own headphones, ear buds, or earplugs. If music or an audio book is not your think, battery-operated noise-cancelling headphones can give you the peace and quiet you seek.

Bring Your Own Sleeping Gear.

If you think you might take a nap mid-flight, bring your own sleeping gear. This includes a mask to go over your eyes, a neck pillow, and either ear plugs or noise cancelling headphones.

 Never Use the Bathroom During Beverage Service.

If you must use the plane bathroom, make sure to do so either before or after the beverage service. Once the beverage cart rolls out, it could be up to 20 minutes or more before you will be able to get back to your seat.  This has happened to me.

In-Flight Internet is the Worst During Weekday Mornings.

Many flight attendants will tell you that the worst time to use an airplane’s in-flight internet is during the morning on a weekday. This is due to the large number of business travelers who are all using it at the same time.

 

As I learn tips, I promise to share with you and update this post!  XOXO, Tiffany