Survive that long-haul flight

Long-haul flights can drive you nuts. The waiting (12 to 15 hours!), the endless sitting, not to mention the crappy airline food. The best way to battle the misery is thus to be prepared. Here are tried and tested tips to win the waiting game and make your flights a little bit more bearable.

1. DRESS FOR THE ‘OCCASION.’ Or dress down, more appropriately. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes and clothes on your flight. Refrain from wearing tight jeans, nor shirts or blouses that get easily creased, or easily get dirtied by food parcels.

But don’t be too casual either. A dear friend now based in the US would brag about wearing drawstring pajamas whenever he comes home to the Philippines. Personally, I find that improper. Pajamas are still for the bedroom. Comfy jogging pants would be a better, and more proper, alternative.

Although slippers are provided for, it is advised that you keep your shoes on. The feet tend to swell on long flights, and it’s hard to fit them back if you take your shoes off.

2. STOP COUNTING THE HOURS. During long flights, I refrain from looking at my watch, or the advisory that constantly flashes on screen about remaining time until arrival. This just makes the agony of waiting seem longer.

3. TIME YOUR SLEEP. Here’s my trick. I check the time of my arrival right after the take off. If I will be arriving at my destination in the evening, I sleep on the first hours of the flight and keep myself busy (watching movies, reading) towards the last remaining six hours or so. Doing this will make me want to just sleep once I touch down. On the other hand, if I will be arriving at my destination in the morning, I will let myself sleep for at least six hours (maybe) before landing so that I will have the energy to go through the day.

4. KEEP YOURSELF BUSY. Time to read that book which you have long wanted to finish. Bring your fully-charged laptop also, or get one of those Sudoku books at P50. each. Some airlines have games like othello or checkers in their entertainment console that will even allow you to play with other passengers. Before you know it, you have arrived.

5. COME PREPARED. Bring a jacket to supplement the blanket provided for. A travel pillow allows added comfort specially when you’re seated on coach. Stash some candy bars or chewing gum in your bag too.

6. TUNE OUT. Thank God for iPods and MP3s. They help in warding off nosy seatmates, and in tuning out to undesirable background noises like babies crying, seatmates snoring, or just travelmates blabbing. You can also request for earplugs if you do not prefer music.

7. STRETCH AND CIRCULATE! There was this local singer before who on a long flight from Los Angeles to Manila (15 hours) decided not to stand up to even pee, much more stretch his limbs. Upon arrival, he could not move, and get up. He even had to be bodily carried out of the aircraft. The singer suffered from vein thrombosis where blood clots formed in his leg veins during the long flight. This is a serious condition and can be easily avoided by standing, walking around the plane once in a while, or simply stretching.

8. JUST ASK. You may miss a meal because you are sleeping during service, or the food may not be enough. Don’t be shy to get up and head to the back of the plane and ask the flight attendants for some snacks which are certainly available. This also gives you a chance to walk and get a breaker from hours upon hours of sitting.

9. WINDOW SEAT PLEASE. Long or short haul flights, I always ask for a window seat upon checking in. You have more space to put your stuffs in (side and front of seat), you have the window to use as head rest, and you will be disturbed less in your sleep by your seatmate who wants to pass through.

10. TIME TO UPGRADE. This is the best time to use all those mileage you have chalked up from previous flights to request for an upgrade, or for premium economy seats that require a minimal fee. Travelling for 12 to 15 hours is not a joke specially when you are on economy class.