The first step to embarking on your awesome adventure is boarding the plane. Unfortunately, air travel can be uncomfortable and make you feel disgusting. Follow these five tips to help you enjoy your flight as much as possible- remember, it's only a stop on the adventure of a lifetime!
1. Take the time to pack your personal item correctly.
Most airlines, especially on international flights, will allow passengers to carry two items on the plane- a personal item and the traditional carry on. While carry ons are fairly standard, personal items are more vague. A general rule is that if it can fit underneath the seat in front of you, then it is a personal item. Many people consider their briefcase or purse to be a personal item, but if traveling for a longer period of time, that wastes valuable space. Instead, try packing a backpack. In your backpack, try and reserve specific compartments for specific items. For example, I usually have one compartment designated for a spare change of clothes and a sweatshirt/ rain jacket, with my quart sized bag of liquids placed on top. The next compartment will be entertainment- this compartment can be for books, crosswords, the paper, and any other large entertainment devices (portable game systems or laptops) as well as a travel pillow (I suggest a neck pillow). Note that earphones should not go in this compartment as they will easily get lost. There should also be room in this compartment for your passport holder- more on that later. The second smallest compartment should be designated for electronics and wires. Your earphones should go in this compartment along with your phone charger (preferably one with a USB port), any converters necessary for the country you are staying in, and any other wires/ chargers necessary. This system allows you to have easy access to anything you need on the flight so you do not have to get up, potentially bothering other passengers, and get your carry on from the storage compartment. The leg room that you give up for this personal item will prove to be well worth it when you realize how convenient having a personal item with all the necessities within arm's reach.
2. Wear loose fitting clothes.
Let's face it- the days of flying in business formal attire are over. Especially if you are crowded on a flight that is more than three hours, you do not want to be in uncomfortable clothing, but you also don't want to look like a complete slob (gotta get those vacation selfies started!). My suggestion? A pair of wide legged pants with a tighter tee shirt or a one-pieced romper. You can add an oversized hoodie on the flight to keep warm. If you're flying into colder weather, try a pair of comfy jeans or yoga pants (with tight fitting leggings underneath for extra warmth if necessary) with a sweater. Either way, keep it loose and and casual, but not anything you would go to bed in. Another helpful hint- if you have problems with your feel swelling on landing, wear compression socks on the plane. While they're not the most stylish things ever, your feet will thank you!
3. Limit your makeup.
Just like wearing business formal attire is uncomfortable for long periods of time, so is wearing too much makeup. I usually stick to just enough that I can take selfies without looking dead, sick, or like I haven't slept in 4 days. For flights 9 hours and under, I get on the plane with makeup- just tinted moisturizer, eyeliner, mascara, and a little lip balm. For any flights that are longer, I take a small bit of moisturizer in my carry on and apply my basic makeup on the plane before landing. Wearing too much makeup for too long has negative effects on your skin (and it doesn't look as good). It's a much better idea to put on limited makeup before the flight and then add more once you land.
4. Eat before you take off.
Ok, some people may disagree with me here, especially if there are meals served in-flight. The truth is though, altitude can affect blood sugar levels for some people. To avoid feeling dizzy, I always have something small to eat before a flight as well as some sort of juice. This will also make you more comfortable during your flight if the in-flight meals aren't served until later in the flight.
5. Have a passport holder.
This is one of those times that convenience trumps fashion. A passport holder does exactly what the name implies- it holds your passport. However, a good one can help you remain organized throughout your entire trip. Use a small shoulder bag that has multiple pockets and put your passport and a pen or two in the compartment closest to you and hang the entire bag around your neck so the bag is directly in front of your chest. In the other pocket, you can keep other travel essentials like airline tickets, itineraries, a small wallet, and your cell phone. Having this passport holder makes going through security a breeze and keeps everything you need close at hand when filling out customs forms.
Enjoy these tips and happy travels!
