5 Tips for Stress Free Long Haul Flights

The world is becoming smaller by the day. Flying long haul to distant locations for business or pleasure is becoming increasingly more popular. There are more aircraft, more airports to fly to and more people ready to spend half a day or longer in the air. It is quite simply easier and cheaper than it used to be fly long haul. Unfortunately, the experience of traveling to the other side of the world can very often be a stressful and exhausting affair, especially for the uninitiated or unprepared. This doesn't have to be the case. Just follow this guide to a stress free long haul flight and you can sit back and enjoy the whole experience!

Step 1: Do Your Homework:

A little bit of homework will certainly help you to discover the right airline for you. The Internet is an excellent resource in this regard, but don't ignore you're local travel agent who may have a wealth of customer experience with various airlines.

You might want to find out who is going to offer the most leg-room, what the quality of food is like and how reputable their customer service is. Most airlines now offer some sort of in-seat entertainment such as Singapore airline's Krisworld system (Always very good) and I particularly enjoyed Japan airline's onscreen camera views allowing you to see forwards from the nose of the aircraft or down over wherever you are flying. These systems are good way to kill a few hours of any flight.

Of course the price is important and shopping around really pays off. Don't be afraid to go straight to the airline and check out any special offers they might have as well as using high street and Internet based agents.

Step 2: Airport Time:

You will usually be expected to check in 2 hours in advance of your long haul flight although it always pays to arrive a little earlier than this as most people will arrive in the queue around this time. You are better off spending 3 hours sat in the departure lounge with a good book than standing in the check-in queue!

Of course the earlier you are the better chance you have of reserving a good seat. Many airlines are now introducing services on their websites that allow you to reserve seats, order meals and allow you to check-in via automated express check-in systems; the best way to do it by far.

Step 3: Enjoy the flight:

On a 19 hour flight it is important to keep yourself occupied. The obvious solution is a good book. I always start a book a few days before I fly so that I'm already 'into it' before I get on the plane, ensuring a pre-planned slice of escapism.

These days we are blessed with in-seat technologies to keep us entertained, these will often include the latest blockbuster films, video games and all sorts of TV shows and in flight information. I still find, however, that the trusty book is the best way to kill some time.

The holy grail of long haul flight is being able to get some quality sleep. Air quality, light sources, noise and cramped upright seating is certainly not conducive to falling asleep. An Ezysleep inflatable travel pillow, for example is designed to deal with the issue of supporting your neck whilst upright but there are other things you can do. Ear plugs and an eye mask can help deal with light and noise so combine them with your travel pillow for some quality sleep.

If the food isn't up to scratch, make sure you're prepared with some healthy snacks and a good supply of water. It might be free but alcohol and coffee are very dehydrating and this is the last thing you want in an already arid environment. Stick to the water and fruit juices.

Most importantly, enjoy the flight! Enjoy that time away from the mobile phones and the boss and the traffic and relax. You're 40,000 feet away from everything, make the most of it!

Step 4: Stay healthy:

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a constant worry for long haul travelers. Although extremely rare, it is a very dangerous condition. The condition is avoided by ensuring that the blood flow around your body is kept moving.

Do the exercises advised by the in-flight video and magazines, take regular walks to the galley, the toilet or just up and down the aisles and drink plenty of water.

Step 5: Avoid Jet Lag:

The best way to avoid, or minimize, jet-lag is to start planning whilst on your flight. Set your watch to your destination time as soon as you can and do your best to sleep when it's night time where you are going, even if that means missing onboard meals.

Keep drinking that water so you're not dehydrated when you land. When you get to your destination, don't hit the hay straight away. Try to stay awake until the evening and you'll give yourself the best chance to adjust quickly to your new time zone.

Based in the UK, James Wittering looks after online marketing for the Ezysleep travel pillow people. He also has a home in South Australia and finds the flight back considerably more comfortable with an inflatable travel pillow.

---

Fighter Jet Trainers Sport Planes

You want a fighter jet as your personal aircraft; do... Read More

Finding Really Cheap Airline Tickets Online

Trying to find really cheap airline tickets can become very... Read More

Fuel Costs and Air Fares Set To Rocket After Hurricane Katrina Punishes The US

It now looks certain that Hurricane Katrina will push fuel... Read More

Sex in a Cessna, Part III

So far we have learned the safety aspect of setting... Read More

Cheap Airline Tickets! With Internet Access, The Skies The Limit For Great Deals

With easy access to the Internet, the convenience of finding... Read More

Airlines, Price Wars, and Branding

Here are some thoughts on the study of the theory... Read More

Airbus to Build $600 Million Aircraft Manufacturing Plant in US

Airbus has announced that it will build a $600 million... Read More

Entering Business Aviation, Part II: Pay Rates for Flight Attendants

Pay. You know that aviation pays better than commercial, in... Read More

Jet Lag ? 5 Pre-travel Steps to Reduce the Effects of Jet Lag

Ask any regular long-haul flyer about their experience of flying... Read More

Private Jet Ownership Indeed

Wouldn't you like to own your own private jet? Have... Read More

How to Overcome Jetlag

Jetlag seems to be every traveler's worst nightmare ? especially... Read More

Secrets to Finding Really Cheap Airline Tickets Online

Knowing where to find really cheap airline tickets is the... Read More

Leading Private Jet Charter Operators

Flying with the airlines can be a time consuming as... Read More

How to Save on Airfare

The Internet has provided a revolution in the way people... Read More

Helicopters - The Multi Utility Machines

The vertical lift technology of helicopters has far more utilitarian... Read More

Really Cheap Plane Tickets

To begin with, the best place to buy really cheap... Read More

Cleaning Air Cargo Containers

If you own a pressure washing business, janitorial service or... Read More

Tactile Strip Sensors on Leading Edge of Material Memory Airfoils

Aircraft designers have always tried to figure out the best... Read More

NASA SATS for Point-to-Point Air Travel Solutions

It appears NASA's studies of the future of air travel... Read More

A380 Bathrooms

Bathroom seat with a view; That's right! The all-new A-380... Read More

Travel Tips For Getting Through the Airport Easier and Quicker

Traveling is different now than it was before 9/11. Arriving... Read More

Several Facts to Obtaining Cheap Airfares

AirfaresNeed a vacation but dont want to stay around town?... Read More

American Airlines; Crash: Nov. 12, 2001

It seems there were not many comments to the AA... Read More

Is your air traffic control person real?

Have you ever been flying around in your private plane... Read More

Airport Noise Reduction

Do you live near an airport and cannot stand the... Read More

Material Memory and NASA High Tech Plastics for Rotor Blades

Some new materials, types of plastics seem to be stronger... Read More

Automated Satellite Following System for UAV Swarms

Much work is being done and the USAF has implemented... Read More

The History of the Aircraft Wash Guys, Part One

Business scholars and students throughout recent periods have studied the... Read More

China is Starting to Build Military Fighter Trainers

China is entering the jet fighter trainer business and set... Read More

Future Shuttle Launches

The military aircraft we have are all equipped with anti-SAM... Read More

Travel Tips:Tips for Safer flying

Flying can be an adventure, but like everything else in... Read More

Entering Business Aviation, Part I: Types of Aircraft

The jets that people fly in corporate aviation are usually... Read More

Overcoming Jet Lag

Jet lag can be one of the worst, and certainly... Read More