Not all of us have the luxury of upgrading to first or business class when we're on a long-haul flight. And most of the time, things can get pretty uncomfortable, especially when you’re cooped up in an airplane for several hours. Here are some helpful tricks that'll make economy feel a little more comfortable than what you may be used to.
1. Stay hydrated
Most people say you need eight glasses of water throughout the day. Now imagine your day was spent in a closed-off metal tube, where the air is super dry. Ask any health expert, and they will tell you to up your water intake, because travelling is very dehydrating. So just before you board the plane, consider buying two bottles of water to keep handy, since it does get quite annoying to have to ask for those tiny cups of water from flight attendants every 30 minutes.
2. Wing it
It turns out that sitting by a plane's wing will allow you to experience less turbulence, because you’re closer to the centre of gravity. So try and book this seat ahead of time and enjoy a less bumpy ride.
3. Pillows are important
We aren’t sure why airplane seats were designed with a C-shaped curve. Our spine is shaped more like an S, so by the end of the flight you probably might have some back and neck pain. The best way to avoid curving your spine in ways it shouldn’t be curved, is to put a little pillow behind your lower back. This pillow placement will counteract the seat's position, and keep your spine in its natural shape. If you don’t have a pillow on your flight, use a folded-up sweater or blanket instead.
4. Tea over Coffee
Try and always opt for tea. The amount of caffeine in coffee will keep you awake and dehydrate you further. Your best option would be to ask for green tea. Another bonus is that green tea also helps you deal with jet lag. If you don’t think your flight will stock it, bring your own teabags and just ask for hot water.
5. Eat less
Apparently food is more difficult for your body to digest while you are 30,000 feet up in the air. You should eat, but not too much. It might be smarter to grab a bite at the airport first, and snack on the plane instead of having full-on meals, however if you choose to eat after all, choose warm foods rather than cold, since they are easier to digest.
6. Carbs on a plane
Although we spend most of our lives being told carbs are bad for us, it turns out that if you eat carb rich foods on a plane, it is much easier for you to deal with jet lag after the flight is over. So if you have the option of ordering, pasta, oatmeal or pancakes, try and opt for these dishes.
7. Befriend the crew
Be kind to the cabin crew. Most of them deal with difficult people all the time, so it’s a nice exception to have someone be nice and friendly towards them for once. This will definitely make them remember you, as well as get you some preferential treatment if you're lucky.
8. Move! Even at your seat
It’s actually pretty important to make sure that your blood is flowing. Our bodies were not designed to sit in a chair all day (might want to reconsider that desk job). Try and get up every once in a while, walk down the aisles and stretch your legs. If you’re confined to a window seat with two sleeping people blocking your way out, try and slowly stretch your legs, feet, arms and back within the seat. Twist your neck around in a slow circular motion, do the same with your wrists and ankles and do so frequently to keep the blood in the body flowing.
9. Don’t drink alcohol
Most long-haul flights serve alcohol and many people use a glass or two to help them sleep, however, it is wise not to do so. Alcohol is one of the most dehydrating drinks you can ingest, especially when combined with the pressurised cabin of an airplane. The effects of the dehydration are quadrupled, so choose water, juices and green teas instead.
10. Be your most zen self
There is generally a lot of anger when people travel. We’re impatient and we suddenly become these people who tut and huff. Try and actively be calm while on your journey. It will keep your mood stable and your frustration levels low. Consider trying to meditate or using specific breathing techniques to calm your whole body and get you oxygenated. As soon as you take a seat, breathe deeply through your nose and flex every muscle in your body from your toes to your face. When you breathe out, release everything. Now get comfortable, be kind to others on board and try and relax as much as you can.
