Tips For Your First Long-Haul Flight
If you have never flown long-haul before, it can feel both exciting and daunting. There is more you need to prepare and plan and if you are someone who doesn’t like flying it can feel scary. Luckily, with the right preparation and planning you can turn a long flight into something enjoyable and make the trepidation for your destination even better. From booking in for an airport lounge, to planning the right destination and packing your bag strategically, there is a lot you can do. In this article we take a look at some of the top tips for your first long haul flight.
Plan your destination carefully
If you are heading long haul for a trip for personal reasons, chances are you will be choosing where you go. (This is opposed to a business trip where you probably don’t get a choice!) When you are in charge of where you go, you should plan your destination carefully, thinking of how long you want the flight to be, what there is to do when you are there and whether or not you can get a direct flight. Sometimes for your first long-haul you might want to get a direct plane, as opposed to having to worry about changing and doing two different routes. This can be found when you book your holiday or you can speak to a travel agent who can help to sort it out for you and find you the best destination for your preferences.
Book in for an airport lounge
When you are going to be on a long flight, you tend to have to get to the airport three hours before you take off, as opposed to two. This can mean you have a lot of time to spare and end up wandering aimlessly around the airport. Instead, why not make it into a whole experience by booking in for an airport lounge? When you do this, you pay a set price and then will usually get food and drink included in this. It might be that you have cocktails, beers and wines and a buffet meal, or sometimes they cook meals fresh for your order. Make sure you book your lounge ahead of time as these can sell out, particularly during peak times like summer holidays. It means you can eat and drink good food and get on the flight feeling relaxed and ready to face the time ahead of you.
Upgrade your flight if you can
When you are doing a short haul flight, it’s not too bad to just grin and bear it in regards to space and comfort. Yet when you are flying a long distance, sitting in a small and cramped space can be a pain. If you can, try and upgrade your flight to either premium or business class. With this you will get a lot more leg room and if you are in business you will also benefit from things like a lay-flat seat, your own private section in the plane, better food and drink and more amenities such as skincare items and toothbrush and toothpaste. You will have a larger TV screen to watch movies on, better service and just overall more comfort. It can mean you arrive at your destination feeling fully rested after being able to sleep for the flight, as well as well fed and excited for what is to come.
Bring entertainment with you
The majority of planes nowadays provide you with great entertainment such as movies and games, but it still is a good idea to bring some with you too. You might want to bring a book, or perhaps download some games on your phone. A lot of planes also have Wifi so you can play games such as spider solitaire to pass the time. This can make the journey go a lot quicker and you will find the time passes more effectively when you have plenty of things to do. You could also think about things like travel-games, card games, bringing a laptop to do some work, or perhaps bringing a portable games console such as a Nintendo Switch.
Pack some pamper items
When you are in the air, not only are there limited things for you to do, but you will also fall victim to the air conditioning which can cause dry skin and hair and you just generally feel a bit ropey after being in the same position for too long. To try and avoid this being an issue, it’s a good idea to pack some pamper items with you. These can help to sort your skin and hair out and also give you something to do while you are flying. We recommend bringing a moisturizing sheet mask which you can place over your face and relax with – it will help to nourish your skin and help you to glow! You could bring some hand cream to keep them moisturized, and also a lip mask and eye mask. These are all really easy to pop into your bag from home, or even pick up at the airport pharmacy or beauty store. You will arrive looking fresh and your skin will look and feel fantastic so it’s a great way to begin your trip!
Think about food and drink
Let’s face it, plane food is never the best. You don’t get much choice and you are stuck with whatever they have on board. You tend to just have a pick between a veggie and meat option (unless you’ve provided dietary information beforehand) and if you don’t fancy it then you’re a bit stuck for choice. While this food is fine, we recommend bringing some of your own snacks with you. This can help pass the time, keep you from being hungry and can also mean you are guaranteed something that you will like. Avoid things such as chocolate which can melt, or things such as nuts which can cause allergic reactions. Instead, opt for crisps, fruit, bags of sweets or something like a pre-packaged sandwich. You could bring these items with you from home, or you can get them in the airport prior to boarding. Be sure to check the airline and destination rules as some places prohibit you bringing food on the plane, so make sure you check ahead of time.
Wear comfortable clothing
You’re going to be sitting still for a long time, so you want to check that you’re comfortable. While you might want to look stylish on your flight, it’s not worth it at the detriment of your comfort. Wear layers so you can help take control of your temperature, with items you can take off if it is too warm, or put on you in the case that it gets cold with the air conditioning. Opt for close toed shoes and socks so you can remove your shoes for comfort, but also so you don’t have your bare feet out! They tend to provide you with blankets and pillows, but you could bring your own blanket with you if you would prefer and if it fits in your bag!
Choose your seat ahead of time
The seat you sit in can make a really big impact on how your journey goes. It can be tempting to not pay for your seat as it is another additional cost, but when you’ve paid that much for your flight anyway, it’s worth sitting somewhere where you will be comfortable. You could prefer the aisle seat so you can get up and down as much as you like without having to disturb anyone. Or perhaps you would prefer the window seat so you can sit with a little more privacy, aren’t disturbed by people wanting to get out and can rest your head against the window. You could also pay to sit next to anyone in your party who you’re travelling with.
Get to the airport with plenty of time
When you have a long flight, you want to make sure you get to the airport with plenty of time. It’s not worth having extra stress at the airport or risking getting stuck in traffic on the way and missing your flight. You could choose to stay in a hotel the night before to avoid any stress the day of your flight, particularly if you have an early morning one.
These are just a few things you can do that can help to make your first long haul flight that bit more enjoyable. When you are prepared and ready for the flight, it will make it more exciting and fun, you won’t dread the long hours and can land feeling refreshed and ready to make the most of your trip. What are some top tips you have for your first long-haul flight? Whether you’re looking to go for work, or for a special holiday, there are so many things you can do. Let us know in the comments below, we’d love to hear from you.
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