Elaine's Long Flight Travel Tips

I have only flown domestically a handful of times and I have never flown somewhere internationally that could be reached in just one flight.  I almost feel like an expert on flights with 25+ hours of total travel time.  What follows are little things I have picked up that help me cope with all of my long haul traveling.

1. Bring a sleeping bag.  If you have a sleeping bag that packs up to be really small, take it with you on the plane as a pillow.  When you pull it out of its case you have a huge and malleable pillow that covers the painful armrest while still working as a pillow for your head.  The sleeping bag also works well for long layovers; if you can find a place to layout, you have a pillow/blanket at your disposal.

2. Request a window seat.  A sleeping bag is best utilized when you have a wall to lean your head against.

3. Become comfortable jumping over people if you take the window seat.  When I use the toilet, I just jump over the person in the aisle; they always seem a bit taken aback but relived at the same time.

4. Travel with someone you feel comfortable snuggling with.  Put up the armrest between your seats and move around and snuggle up on each other.  For me, it works best to have a giant man with me who doesn’t mind if I sprawl my legs on him to sleep.  I have slept up to 4 hours straight using this method.

5. Bring a bottle to fill up with water before you get on the plane.  Airlines warn you to drink plenty of water during long flights; however, each time a fight attendant gives you water, it amounts to about one gulp.   Unless you want to constantly be asking for water, have some of your own.

6. Bring your own headphones to use with the inflight entertainment system.  Although international flights give complementary headphones they are of the cheapest quality.

7. Request a vegetarian meal when purchasing your ticket.  Special needs meals are served first so you’ll be chewing away while all of the other chumps are salivating.

8. While the plane is boarding, keep tabs on where there are empty seats and the moment it seems that boarding has finished, pounce on the best seat possible.  Twice, I have had a full 4-seat row to myself and many other times at least 2 seats to myself. (If you requested a vegetarian meal, make sure to tell a flight attendant you changed seats.)

9. Have extra clothes not just in the case of lost luggage but also because during a long haul flight you begin to feel gross; it’s nice to be able to put something fresh on between long flights.

10. If the airport offers showers take one during a layover.  Even if you forgot tip #9 and you are putting on the same clothes, it feels refreshing. (Dubai International is the only airport I have seen showers so if you want to experience an airport shower, fly through there.)

11. Take the complementary items from the plane.  The toothbrushes are great for traveling and if you smuggle out a pillow, it works perfectly for backpacking.  Blankets are nice for picnics.

12. Bring chapstick and lotion because airplanes can be very dry environments.

13. Fly through Dhoa International on Qatar Airways during Ramadan.  They offer a free curry feast during your layover (if it's after sunset).