What should I wear on the plane for a long flight?

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Karen L

Wear something comfortable for sitting in. I find tight jeans to be especially uncomfortable on a long flight. Layers is a very good idea. Planes are usually pretty comfortable but the temperature does vary a bit, and you can't unfold yourself from the seat a whole lot to cool down but each seat has a little air vent overhead that you can open and close and direct towards you or not and they help a lot. I usually go for a long sleeve T shirt with a shirt or vest over it, or both. Don't bring a blanket, they have those on the planes though you might have to ask for one. I find that having a jacket with me is good enough if I feel especially cold or want something to lean on.Wear shoes you can slip out of without untying. It's difficult to bend down in your seat to untie shoes if you want to take them off, and having them off is much more comfortable. Tying them to put them on is easy. You just wait for a seatmate to leave so you have room. And you might have to take your shoes off to go through security so it's better if they're simple to remove. Try not to wear too much stuff that has metal in it like buttons, belt buckles, zippers, underwire bras. They'll show up on the metal detectors at security and you may have to get screened twice if you have metal all over you.

International flights tend to provide more comforts in the way of food, pillows and blankets than domestic flights. Don't bring a bottle of water. They won't let you through security with any container of liquid bigger than 100 ml or 3 oz. Once you're through security, you can buy a bottle if you like, but on the plane they will give you as much water as you ask for. Same for food. You might get away with a sandwich, but a tub of yogurt or anything like that will be confiscated. You might have explosives hidden in it, you know, or a nail file. International flights should give you lots of food. Domestic flights these days usually give you a bag of pretzels and a muffin and call it lunch.

Ask for water often. I'd have a glass(they're small) every hour at least, or ask for several bottles if they have bottles. You do get dehydrated on airplanes. Last time I flew, I drank a whole bottle of wine with dinner(I love Lufthansa! It was good wine!), something that would usually leave me flat on the floor and/or peeing every 15 minutes. I hardly noticed a thing, it was like the wine just sort of vanished. However, they don't recommend consuming large quantities of alcohol on a plane since it actually dehydrates you.

lulu

A warm up outfit would be the best choice. It's comfortable and you cna layer under it to keep warm. Jeans tend to be binding if you sit for a long time.Blankets are usually available on flights so that shouldn't be a problem. Take snacks with you as sometimes there is a charge. If it's an international flight at least 1 meal should be served.

Sarah

personally id wear sweatpants and a hoodie and some easy shoes to slip out of.

iansand9876

All good advice. If it is 16 hours you are probably flying from Australia. Remember that Vancouver will be cold and damp. It rains all the time in winter, so have a warm and waterproof jacket easily accessible in either your carry on or at the top of your checked luggage so you can get to it in the terminal in Vancouver.

Your feet will probably swell. Lace up shoes deal with this better than slip ons.

One tip - cotton is breathable and, in my opinion, a lot more comfortable than synthetics. I wear cargo pants with lots of pockets and a shirt with pockets. It makes getting access to passports, tickets, immigration and customs forms and all the other stuff easier. Also, you will have to fill in forms. Carry a pen.

Elizabeth

i would dress comfortably in some of the following
jeans, t-shirt, sweatshirt
sweats
don't bring a blanket they provide those
and every plane is different some are cold and some are warm
good luck

yo_mariah46

id say jeans, t-shirt, and a sweater. thats what i wear. comfy shoes-shockss!

purplebuggy

Don't dress to impress. You'll likely sleep for a lot of the trip if it's 16 hours. Jeans are usually easiest but be aware often airlines wont upgrade you to Business if you're wearing jeans (and you have an upgradable ticket or ask on the flight itself if there are available seats).

My best advice is layer because you might be sitting next to someone who wants their aircon fan turned on but is angled annoyingly towards you or something so you want more warmth, or you might find that the plane is a little warner than you find comfortable in what you've decided to wear. Blankets (as everyone else has said) are available but they're itchy in my view and I like bringing a shawl to double as a blanket.

Also, wear comfy shoes, if you don't have serous foot odour problems you might find slip-ons are best then you can take them off. Bring a pair of socks though if you don't want to wear them with the shoes you do wear.

Have a good trip

Rene B

Wear COMFORTABLE clothing; shoes should be easy to slip on to(some even wear flipflops on plane travel). Don't worry about the blankets-they are sanitized. Bring a jacket or sweater(not the kind that attacts lint{from the blankets}) on your hand carried luggage. Bring an extra change of clothing, including underwear, also. You won't regret it in case your flight gets delayed.

Xrysostom

Call ahead; some airlines provide blankets and/or pillows, others don't. Loose fitting and lighter weight clothing that you can layer isn't a bad idea. Also, they haven't started charging for "wear-on" luggage, so you can put some of your carry-on clothing on yourself and maybe save some suitcase charges.

Since it's going to be a sixteen hour flight, here's what you really need to know: If you wear jeans, make sure they're loose. Dehydration is normal in flying due to the physics of pressurization, heating of air, and the like. Don't wear anything that constricts the extremities since the tightness and the loss of fluids may cause deep vein thrombosis (DVT), even among young, healthy people. Rarely, this can lead to stroke or heart attack and even death.

Also regarding DVT, keep yourself hydrated (but find out airline regs about carry-on water). If they allow you to get up and move, do so. If not unbuckle your seat belt and stretch as you can in your seat. Loosening your shoes is also a good idea.

I include a link to a NASA page that has additional warnings and travel recommendations.

Genevieveâ™ªâ™¥

Dress very warmly. Airplanes are usually pretty cold. The blankets they have on the flight are pretty clean and cozy, but if you prefer to have your own blanket, your bags might be heavier. Bring a pillow too, the ones on the airplanes aren't that comfortable. Layers would probably be the best way to go.

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