Tips for a stress-free travel experience on international flights
Long journeys are exhausting and draw a great deal of energy from travellers – but at least there is the option of stopping the car or bus to take a breather. The confined nature of a flight makes long flights quite stressful. Do you remember the last time you sat in a bus for anything above 6 hours? Many people would describe the experience as draining and exhausting. This, sadly, is the experience for all travellers in the exact circumstances. There is a way out – is it possible to have an international flight that is stress free by following the following easy and deliberate tips?
Master the details of your itinerary – The airline you booked, might not be the one operating the actual flight. This is not unusual because airlines operate under alliances all the time. The fact that your ticket was purchased from certain airline does not mean that the entire trip or flight will be run by them. The most important aspect of departure is to know from which terminal your flight will be boarded from. If you are not sure how to check, call the airline to confirm details or search for text that follows the phrase ‘operated by’ in your itinerary.
With knowledge of your itinerary, you are better equipped with knowledge of how to move around the airport. Many people use the Parkos web platform to make online parking reservations when they need to save money and time. Valet parking is the best facility to choose when you think you will be late for a flight or have heavy luggage which you must bring with you. If you are sure of the details of your itinerary, you will not have to make long walks around the airport with your luggage. Parkos airport parking is available to use for many airport parking lots in the United States such as in and around Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, Dallas Love Field and Dallas Fort Worth.
Limit luggage to carry-ons – it is possible to skip bringing along the large suitcases synonymous with air travel. Checking bulky luggage at the airport can be quite complicated especially for flights that need connecting or the weather calls for flight schedule changes. Furthermore, you will need to pay for any checked bag. If fitting all you need in a carry-on bag is not possible, at least have a change of clothes and necessities in the hand luggage.
Drink as much water as you can – people who experience the worst cases of jet lag happen to be the ones who have been on long international flights. It is even worse if they have not had enough water to drink in and before the flight. The best way to keep hydrated is to drink plenty of water before the flight or take advantage of the water which is served inflight. Staying hydrated not only helps travellers to get over jet lag faster but also enhanced a good mood.
Put on comfortable clothes – even if the nature of your travel is business related, it is important to be dressed in clothes that allow your skin to breathe and your joints to move. If you have to put on jeans pick one made out of stretch fabric that can adjust to the many position adjusting movements you will make. You may also want to consider wearing a pair of sports shoes which you can easily take off and on at different points during the flight.
Are you the type that is prone to cold even in hot weather? Bring along a jacket or sweatshirt regardless of the weather.
Carry personal gear to keep you comfortable – this might mean a tube of moisturizer for your hands, headphones to listen to music as well as cancel external noise or a neck pillow. Think about how you feel when you sit in the same position for extended periods of time and you get an idea of what to bring along. In addition to what you pack, bring earplugs and an eye-mask just in case you need to take a nap.
Bring your own entertainment – it is true that most airlines will provide a list of shows and movies to watch on the seat back screens. The problem is that they do not know your individual taste and even if they did, the selection might be limited for extremely long flights. Make time to download movies, shows, audiobooks, and podcasts to keep you occupied during a flight.
If the Wi-Fi at the airport is good, you can use it to download what you need but this is often a risk. The best is to be self-reliant.
What is the use of a flash drive full of movies if your laptop or tablet is soon running out of power? It is important to carry a portable charger which you for use to keep your devices powered.
Carry medicines in the carry-on but confirm legality – the first thing you need to do when packing is to separate stuff between the bags you are carrying. In the event that the large bags get lost or misplaced, at least your medicines will still be with you. In the same breathe, use Google to confirm the legality of the drugs you have in the country or jurisdiction you are visiting.
Get in touch with your visa situation in good time – citizens of the United States or Europe can travel to most countries without a visa. To enter some countries, travellers must made applications and wait for confirmation before they can be cleared for travel. Before you book a flight, confirm what kind of visa you require to have and how much time it will take to process it before making any travel arrangements.
Be careful with alcohol on-board – passengers have been drinking while travelling by air for a long time but that is no excuse for you to indulge. Apart from the risk of getting out of control with misconduct, intoxicated travellers risk dehydration and deprived sleep. You might be a social drinker on the ground who is not easily intoxicated but the effects of alcohol when flying can be far from the norm. If you choose to drink or prefer teetotaling, consume plenty of plain water.
Resist the urge to over eat – many people get the tendency to overeat when they are stressed or bored. Long international flights can be quite boring so expect meals to be served inflight – this is no excuse for eating too much as the rest of the flight could be ruined by a stomach upset or bloated tummy.
Stretch a bit – it is important to stand up from your seat every few hours just to stretch your limbs. This way, you reduce the chances that you will reach your destination totally exhausted. It is also an opportunity to mingle with other passengers on the flights and go to the washroom. If you have no reason to move around, do it to avoid developing deep-vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood condition that causes clots in the blood.
Be aware of motion sickness – many people suffer from motion sickness any time they travel. The secret to dealing with this feeling of motion even when you are moving around is to reduce the feeling or take medication that deals with its effects. Choose a seat that is around the center of the plane or above the wings for an easy flight.
If well-managed, long international flights could be a quiet time to write, read a book or think.
