Any ideas for how to have a confortable airplane ride, and what to bring on carry on?

Show all answers

IFly2GetHi

As a globtrotting traveler and pilot since around the time that the Dead Sea was still sick, here's my two cents' worth:

1. WATER.
2. Grapes, raisins, apricots, or other easy-to-transport fruits; nutritional breakfast/snack bars with fruit.
3. Earplugs or headset for your personal music device (iPod, e.g.).
4. Eyeshades (or sunglasses, day or night). One of those good wrap-around-your-neck travel pillows, if you're think you might want to nap.

Optional:

Lots of crossword puzzles. A book. A magazine or two. An iPod.

For starters - bring lots of water. Aircraft cabin altitudes at the flight levels (18,000 feet and up) are typically kept between 6,000' and 8,000'. In the early days (back when travel in first-class meant something), cabin altitudes were more in the 6,000' range; today it's more like 8,000' in order to save weight - and therefore fuel cost, by not having to lift an extra couple tons of air. So the air you'll be breathing is probably thinner than what your body is accustomed to, and will have a definite dehydrating effect.

Secondly, commercial jet aircraft cabins are also air conditioned, and part of the "conditioning" function relates to removing humidity. The air tends to be drier.

Both these conditions create an environment which is subtlely prone to dehydration. A 10-hour flight is a long time to be in that kind of environment. If you can consume 8 oz. of water per hour, that would be a big help. Buy a gallon jug. Eat grapes or apricots. Broccoli, even.

The noisiest part of the aircraft is generally aft of the wing, for several reasons; not only are you typically sitting somewhat benind the business end of the engines, but also the noise created by the process of producing lift - and by the aircraft moving through the air - tends to be more localized in this area. If you're traveling coach and the seats are available, you might find it quieter to sit forward of the wing, or no further aft than midspan at the wing root (the biggest part of the wing, just outside the window you're looking through ;-) ). Now aren't you glad you brought those earplugs/headset?

If you're planning to sleep and you're a "leaner," you might find it more comfortable to be in a window seat than an aisle. Did you remember that travel pillow?

Seats aft of the wing experience more side-to-side movement (yaw) as the aircraft flies, another good reason to sit forward of the wing, if you're at all sensitive to that sort of motion.

Hope this helps - fly safely, have a good trip, and send us a postcard!

tonalc1

I travel a lot internationally, and am very fussy about my comfort. I always bring:
small down pillow
a foldable footrest (I have short legs)
Inflatable pillow for my lumbar. (I can't handle the inflatable for the neck)
This little gem, which makes sitting very comfortable:
http://www.hansonproducts.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&currency=USD&products_id=20
A small spray bottle of water
Moisturizer, chapstick
Eye shades
Noise-cancelling headphones and ipod

Here's a good site with exercises to do on the plane:
http://www.ehow.com/how_3712_exercise-plane.html

Get up and move around a lot. Drink lots of water. Bon voyage!

cluwhit

You can have liquids and getls in your carry on, as long as they meet the 3 ounces or less rule and fit in a quart-size ziplock bag. I work for Minimus.biz (www.minimus.biz) and we sell everything travel sized. All of our 1,000+ products meet the 3 ounce rule. You'll find name-brand shampoos and condtioners, as well as sunscreen and other unusual products.

Kate G

Bring a blanket and a pillow. At least one book, and an mp3 player (or portable CD player and lots of CDS). Buy some food at the airport (healthy stuff like yogurt and fruit), and bring on water (purchasing all these things after the gate takes care of the no liquids rule). Get up and stroll around the plane a bit every hour or so if possible. If not, do mini calf raises, and flex your feet as much as possible.

bubblicious fun

FOOD! =D

phil f

Bring some Ambien, some of those soft eye covers, an IPOD, and a book. Take the Ambien listen to some music and read a book.. when you feel tired slip on the eye covers and sleep it out.

Caution Ambien will leave you quite tired sometimes, but a good 8 hours of sleep usually will wear the effects off.

john

condoms in case you want to join the mile-high club ;)

magster

I did that once. they usually give you water and you can bring snacks. if you like reading grab a book too or some headphones for the onplane radio in the arm rest. as for exercises there is this one where you rotate your ankles and lift you toes and heels. this helps stops cramping.

Sir. Lawrence

there is liquid deodorant and tooth paste now days??? I dont know were you shop but when i brought all my stuff, they didnt say a thing, bring lots of booze and pass out.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: