All that uneeded stress, leg cramps, tiny seats, awful food, and cuddling up with strangers? no thanks!
Due to that alone most people say that they hate airports or airplanes, but to be honest, i'm the opposite. Airplanes and airports are no joyrides, but i like them. They're the exciting prelude to an exciting adventure, the "we're almost there!" feeling before actually getting there.
To me, getting there's half the fun, even if it involves being crammed into a tiny space fit for a sardine.
Without further ado, there are some tips and tricks that i actually do use, in order to feel more comfortable on a plane or arriving at the airport. This will also be in chronological order.
**NOTE** I have yet to travel solo except one time, other than that i've always flown with family or a friend, so my situation may wind up being different from yours.
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Packing Your Bags
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Well, first things first - getting to the airport.
A trip usually starts with packing your suitcase (aside from booking tickets and researching destination and what not) and packing, i'd say, is not my forte, and usually is the source of a lot of uneccecary stress for me when travelling.
I always wind up packing last minute, and usually i forget something at home and don't realise it until i'm actually there. (but that's what gift shops and department stores are for, right? I usually go to places that have been known to be a shopper's mecca anyway so it doesn't matter).
I recommend packing about a week before you intend to set out just to give yourself more than the allotted time - and of course, so that if you procrastinate, you won't die in the fiery pits of hell.
A nice tidbit that my mother taught me is to roll your clothes instead of folding them - apparantly it takes up less room (I don't see it) and it's easier to find what you want to wear (i see it).
Depending on your destination and how far you're going (usually my trips on the plane are 10 hours +, going from Vancouver to somewhere in Asia or Europe), a myriad of clothing is helpful if you don't intend to "buy as you go."
As for packing for the plane ride itself, that also depends largely on how far you're going.
On short distance trips (to the US or the other side of Canada) i rarely bring anything on board with me, save for some entertainment and snacks. There's usually on flight entertainment anyway, so no need to make your carry-ons heavier than it needs to be.
On longer flights (seeing that most of mine are so many hours on end), carry-ons tend to, of course, need more things. Generally i pack a small change of clothes, usually my PJ's, for the plane, so i can be comfortable on and presentable off, along with a small fleece blanket, and of course, lots and lots of sweets to eat when you're bored or taking off (I'm prone to ear pain).
I tend to fly at night for longer trips, so i don't need to bring a lot of entertainment - usually i bring my laptop (for a diary), my phone (for use once i get there or to download movies on before boarding), and my 3DS (i cheat and download some walkthroughs in case i get stuck).
But aside from that i usually sleep 5+ hours on the plane so all's good.
A few things i recommend bringing on your carry-on whether or not your flight is long…
- Earplugs (babies and children and just the plane noises can be annoying, and these will drown out the sounds and make it easier to relax. alternatively, earphones or earbuds work, if they're noise cancelling)
- Snacks (This is highly optional but i eat when i'm bored and plane rides can often be boring, especially if yours is during the daytime or if they're only a couple of hours long. Sucking on hard candy can also ease ear pain when ascending or descending)
- Baby wipes (for any spills or sticky hands, and can also be used for freshening up before leaving the plane)
For the carry-on itself i've always preferred backpacks due to their easy mobility. roller carriages are also alright for me but not preferred, since i can handle wearing it on my back just as easily. Generally they also don't provide that much extra space anyhow, but it really depends on what you intend to do with it.
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At the Airport and Security
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It's generally recommended that you get to the airport about 2-3 hours before departure and i personally find that just perfect.
Many don't like the airport because of the hustle and bustle but that's the very thing i find attractive about it. that, and, perhaps as a younger traveller and i'm naive - seeing that i experience zero stress at airports since it's always already taken care of.
I travel at night for long hauls, so the place is peaceful on top of that. It's a relaxing stroll. but during the day it is busy and lively and it's also entertaining to people-watch. Regardless, i have a lot of fun.
Arriving early can seem boring but it helps with the stress - check in early, and once inside the airport itself, doing some browsing or shopping is simple and easy and stress-free. Usually there are also lounges to sit in or duty-free things to buy, or restaurants to have some tea in, so the things you can do at an airport is limitless.
Have a midday drink, if you will.
The airport's the only place that won't judge you for drinking at 4 in the afternoon, if any.
Once you've worn yourself out just head to your boarding area to sit down and relax. Usuaully there are free drinks so why not help yourself to one of those? (except i always find that it tastes like sh*t).
That aside, i always take the time at the airport to buy a small lunch (usually a Subway) to bring onto the plane with me, since you know what? Airplane food SUCKS. and with my allergies i can't eat most of it anyway.
Now, before actually getting in you'll have to go through security - and that's actually one of my favourite things to do. It's exciting for me, although it can be mundane and boring and irritating for many others. Just choose the fastest line and go, go, go!
I always try to wear comfortable easy on easy off shoes, such as flip flops or Keds. I try to wear simple cotton tops (pullover hoodies with a tank top underneath) so it's easy to pass security and comfortable on the plane. I find that leggings or jeggings (my preferred travelling pants) are also great choices to pass security in, as well as to be comfortable on the plane in.
Just remember all your things. I've had to run back and fetch something i've forgotten before, and that really adds to the stress of the entire experience.
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Boarding
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Boarding is one of my favourite parts. You look through the window and see them getting the plane ready - it's almost time to go! The excitement is always there no matter how many times we've been through it. Every time is different.
It's good to board early if applicable - if travelling with family of course you get to. And if you're travelling with a friend with a small child or if you strike up a conversation with a mother and her young children, you can also ask to board with them.
This makes it easier and less stressful to find your seat - so that you're not holding up and entire line of people if you need to backtrack, or if you're sensitive about accidently bumping people while manuvering past them.
Me, i like to get on with the regular crowd, or even last, if i can. I'm already going to be spending 12 hours straight on a plane, no need to lengthen that time period.
Just have your tickets ready and eyes peeled, this really should be the easiest part of the entire flight.
Oh, and, be sure to touch the outside of the plane before boarding.
It's good luck.
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Settling In and Seats
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Airplane seats are TINNNNY, unless you're in business class or first class but let's face it - if you're reading this, you're probably in coach like me. Crammed in like sardines in a can. Yup. Pleasant. Yum.
That being said, some seats are better than others, and those usually being the bulkhead and the emergency exit row. And of course, not having the area in the middle is usually good.
Seeing that i usually travel with others, whether it be family or a friend (or heck, my class), i usually wind up in either the window seat or the aisle seat. (it's probably the plane, the fact that it's smaller - but there's no middle seat where i go, just as well, anyway).
My preferences are actually the window or aisle, too, just as well. And i don't like the bulkhead either.
Getting on for me is personal - i know my tastes are often not for other people, so there's my disclaimer.
Remember me saying i use a backpack as my carry-on? Well, that's because i don't put it in the overhead compartment, noooo, i like to put it at my feet. And i know, i know, the flight attendants say, "don't do that!" and i just throw the blanket over it to make it look like a blanket clump on the ground.
It's easier to access your things that way, don't blame me.
Now, plane seats are uncomfortable, i know that. So here's a few things that i do to help me settle in, and will hopefully help you settle in as well.
Personally, i have three default positions when sitting on a plane, and all are quite comfortable, if you don't mind looking like a total jackass. (because let's face it - majority of people just sit normally, maybe reclining. I don't do that. but heck, i don't think normal exists).
- Cross legged. (granted, this only works if you are with family or a friend and don't mind looking like "that passenger" but it's surprisingly comfortable, especially if they let you lift the arm rest. Even if they don't, that's still fine. Just try not to take over someone else's space, cause that's not polite. Try not to do this if you're with a stranger - most of the time they won't appreciate it. I've done it before and they didn't mind but hey, i lucked out.)
- Slouching. (this one's my favourite and it gives you the most room. I put the pillow behind my back to support it, and slide my butt to the edge of my seat, propping my feet up in the little pocket that holds flight magazines. it doesn't look the prettiest but if you sit like this, at least you're not kneeing other people in their sides, and usually i can also keep my arms comfortably nestled in the seat without an armrest. ideal if you have a stranger seatmate.)
- Curled up on your side. (This one really only works in the aisle seat or a window seat, i wouldn't try it if you get stuck in the middle. I use one armrest to support my back and the other one to support my legs, so that i'm sitting sideways. This is my ideal sleeping position. This one most likely isn't for everybody - it requires a certain amount of flexibility to sit in this position for a long time. )
Or alternatively…
- Normal. (just like other passengers. It's relatively comfortable too, and you'd look like a normal human being. But personally, my legs cramp up really badly when i sit "normally," hence, all my strange sitting positions. )
What sitting position you use also largely depends on who you are sitting with. When i sit with my family i can sit all splayed out and nobody really cares. We lift the arm rest on occasion as well, especially before we try sleeping. (i always put it back down to sleep since i sleep facing sideways and it keeps me curled up).
Sitting with a friend also works; we both raise the arm rest and sit cross legged, making it a lot more roomy than with an arm rest down.
But no worries - sitting with a stranger isn't all that different; Just make sure not to take over their seat. I still default to the three sitting positions mentioned above when having a stranger seat mate, and they never told me not to do that.
That being said, i usually fly overnight or long haul trips, meaning that yes, you do need to get comfortable, and yes, at one point or another, everybody is sleeping and won't mind what way you are sitting.
just remember to sit up properly and buckle your seat belt when required to, otherwise (at least for me), it's all free game.
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Sleeping
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Sleeping on a flight can easily be one of the hardest ways to sleep, seeing how limited your room is.
I have a habit of falling asleep whenever in a moving car though, so it's a tiny bit easier for me, even without popping those sleeping pills.
What i'd say is, before going to sleep, GO TO THE WASHROOM FIRST. you don't want to get woken up by your bladder.
Aside from that, i like to fall asleep naturally. watch a movie, or listen to music, or heck, play a game (just remember to save frequently - if you fall asleep in a boss battle and die, and you haven't saved, i refuse to be held responsible), until you drift off to sleep.
Usually if your seat is reclined and you have a blanket, it shouldn't be that difficult to sleep for long hours at a time. It makes it all the easier if your seat mate is a friend or family, in which case you might want to negotiate the arm rest position.
I usually wrap my blanket around my shoulders and fall asleep that way, but that's just me. I've always preferring wearing my blanket cape-style than draped over my body the regular way. If you curl up sleeping the way i do, it's best to take the window seat, so if you fall back you have somewhere to put your head.
It still works in the aisle seat but just be certain to keep your body weight forward, towards your legs, because if you're jarred and fall back… Owch.
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Eating
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Eating is an essential thing on a long haul flight, and usually not a problem on the shorter ones. (hello packet of almonds!)
But since i usually take long flights, I usually bring my own food on. Whether it's a Subway i purchased before the flight, or a Mister Noodle that i can ask them to put boiling water in, or just some bread or sweets that i've prepared, whatever it is, will usually be better than the airplane food.
Now, i have allergies. I usually order a fruit meal because of that.
But most of the time the fruit will contain a fruit i can't eat, and if they're not careful how they arrange the fruit, i just can't eat the entire platter. Oh, and, the snack sucks. A piece of cake, really? (i usually give it away or mash it up for fun, either ore).
Of course i've had good meals before, of which i am eternally grateful for.
But it's really just easier to bring your own sh*t on the plane. i bet you a bowl of instant noodles will taste better than whatever they give you in coach. slurp it down, enjoy the deliciousness.
Personally i don't like getting woken up for meals. If i'm sleeping, let the sleeping girl lie.
That's when family or friends are good; they can accept your meal for you (or even eat if for you, if you're comatose and won't wake till landing).
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Landing
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One of the most exciting parts of a long plane ride - landing! you see as your lower through the fluffy clouds, and then wow, you can see! see the mountains, the oceans, the cities… especially the cities! I usually arrive at dawn when it's still dark so to see the city lights lighting up the sky is beautiful, or to see a morning sunrise!
I usually start packing up when there is about an hour and half or an hour before we are going to land.
Go to the washroom and freshen up, change your clothes if you need to. wipe down your face with a wet towel, maybe brush your teeth if you brought a toothbrush. comb your hair. (usually mine gets staticy after sitting in a plane for so long, so i also spray a bit of water or leave in hair conditioner).
I also gather up all the garbage from whatever i'm eating and put them into the puke bag, put my shoes back on, and make sure that everything except what i need immediately, is in my carry-on. (another reason to use a backpack - you don't need to get up and get your stuff out upon landing, it's already with you!)
i usually bring out a huge selection of sweets to eat upon descent - if i don't chew or swallow or eat constantly on the way down, my ears can hurt to high heaven and stay plugged for the next couple of days. NOT pleasant.
After landing, i usually don't prefer to fight my way out of the plane - i patiently wait for a break in the line, grab my bag, and then cut in. no hassle, no need to get anything out of the overhead bin, just simple and easy.
Then thank all the flight attendants for being so helpful (they usually are VERY sweet), and then leave the plane, happy for a great flight.
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Arrival
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This is single handedly the best part. I love seeing what the other airports look like! I love the long flat escalators, i love all the pretty marble floors and bright lights, i love seeing other travellars heading out or going home.
You still have to go through customs and whatnot but that's really no biggie.
you've arrived!
Grabbing the luggage is usually the part i dread though - i'm not good at recognizing my own baggage, since i'm never using the same one. and pulling it off the conveyer is no easy task either. I don't consider myself weak but the suitcase is usually easily half my size, depending on where i'm going or who i'm going with, so it's no easy task to throw it around like small fry.
After getting all the luggage together i usually like to go for a nice breakfast inside the airport, especially if i'm with family. Just head to the food court to find something that suits your palate :)
I usually find that i have a delicate stomach after a long plane journey, so i like eating light the first day or three just in case.
And after a nice breakfast, you've got all your stuff, and it's time to leave and go forth on your amazing journey!
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Well, hope you enjoyed that :)
I'm flying in less than a week's time and i'm super excited to go, i've always loved travelling and i still love airplanes and airports.
I know some of my tips are not useable for everybody but it works well for me and usually i have a great flight.
Leave comments and tips, onegai~! <3
Till Thursday then, my sweets ^_^
~Rere~
