How to Make a Commercial Flight Enjoyable

Commercial flights are designed to get you from point A to point B, even if it takes you through points C and D to get there. Many who have flown in the past have had bad flying experiences; however, sometimes you do not have a choice and you must fly commercial. Do not lose hope yet, here are some great suggestions to make your next commercial flight more enjoyable--before flying, during flying and after flying.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Commercial flight
• Place to go

Pre-Flight

1. Get a full night's rest before your flight.
2. Wear loose and comfortable clothing, which includes shoes you can walk in without hurting your feet at the end of the day.
3. Make sure anything you must carry onto the plane is light or easy to manage especially if you know you have to change planes.
4. Eat light. Avoid heavy full meals on the day you fly. This helps with upset stomachs in flight.
5. Adjust your routines, such as sleeping or eating, if traveling across multiple time zones.

During Flight

6. Chew gum or suck on small pieces of hard candy. This help alleviate pressure on your ears. If taking a small baby, have the baby suck on a bottle or pacifier until the plane is no longer changing altitude.
7. During the flight, take the time to reset your watch or phones to accommodate the next time zone where you will be landing. Remember, if you are changing flights in a different time zone, that airport will be scheduled according to the time zone the airport is in.
8. Relax by breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth when you feel like you are tensing up.
9. Apply lotion to your hands or face to relieve dehydrated skin due to the dry air in the plane. Keep your favorite lip balm handy too.
10. Get up and stretch when this is allowed on the airplane, especially for long flights. This helps to relieve tense muscles and promotes circulation.
11. Use both hands when you must retrieve objects from the overhead compartments to help prevent muscle sprains or strains.

Post-Flight

12. Lift your luggage using your legs and not your back. This avoids muscle strain, especially after sitting on long flights.
13. Reduce jet lag by avoiding excessive amounts of alcohol, eating regular food and getting plenty of fresh air and sunshine.
14. Rest. Resting after a flight is refreshing and helps your body to adjust to any time changes.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid dehydration. Drink plenty of water and stay away from liquids containing caffeine or alcohol.
• Avoid sitting for long periods with legs crossed. This cuts off circulation to the legs.
• Avoid scheduling any important meetings right after a long flight.