15 Ways To Make Your Next Flight Comfortable

From Redditor u/Josiemad:

Go to your doctor. Tell them you have a flying phobia. They will prescribe a tranquilizer. Sleep the whole flight. Wake up alert, ready to see your destination.

From Redditor u/PolskaPrincess:

Use earplugs and drink alcohol.

From Redditor u/Agelaius_phoeniceus:

I fly to Europe for work several times yearly. I do not sleep well on big planes. Engines sound quiet, and people walk around aisles. If noise bothers you, try earplugs or soft music. An eye mask blocks light well; the gentle pressure on your eyelids feels relaxing. Neck pillows look silly, but they work.

Some people find a drink helps them fall asleep. If you take that free mini-bottle of wine with dinner, stay hydrated. Low cabin pressure and dry air cause dehydration easily. Dehydration plus tiredness lowers alcohol tolerance and causes a bad hangover upon landing.

From Redditor u/dudemanlikeum:

Sleep as much as you can. When you are awake:

Listen to music, podcasts, or TED talks. Download everything beforehand; do not use cloud storage. Bring a USB cable for your phone or MP3 player and plug it into your laptop for better battery life, if possible.

I had good luck with the skyrest-type inflatable pillow and a blanket.

Bring an empty water bottle and fill it past security. This saves $3 and gives you water anytime. Bring many snacks: sweet, salty, fruity.

Bring noise-canceling headphones if you have them. They work amazingly!

From Redditor u/Thedutchtouch77:

Arrive at check-in early and ask for exit row seats. You get legroom for days.

From Redditor u/tmiw:

Figure out your home time when it is 8 am in the UK. Stop eating 12 hours before (water is fine). When you eat again, your body resets like you just ate breakfast, reducing jet lag.

From Redditor u/Novaova:

On very long flights, like crossing the Pacific Ocean, I bring fuzzy slippers and put them on right away. (DO NOT WEAR THEM IN THE TOILET. OH GOD THE FLOOR.)

From Redditor u/flyingcatpotato:

I do what you do plus:

I bring my own tea bags. I ask flight attendants for hot water instead of airplane coffee.

I bring a pashmina and use it as a pillow, blanket, and scarf. I put a little perfume on it hours before I go to the airport. This helps deal with airplane smells, but I do not use so much perfume I risk giving my neighbors allergy headaches.

I need more cuticle cream and thicker lip balm than usual, so I keep them ready. My cuticles split like mofos on planes, likely due to bathroom soap and my already dry skin.

From aa former Redditor:

I fly fourteen-hour flights often. Avoiding jet lag means not sleeping or trying not to. You might pass out for thirty minutes to an hour from exhaustion, but that is just a temporary fix. I stay awake all flight by watching movies and/or reading (plus whatever keeps me awake). Upon landing, I do not sleep until nighttime, usually the time I want to fall asleep later. I wake up around my desired time, resetting my internal clock.

From Redditor u/dog_stop:

People talk about noise-canceling headphones and pillows. Wear layers and stretchy pants or pajamas. Bring something to entertain you and maybe something to knock you out, like that ZzzQuil stuff. I also bring a reusable bottle (empty through security, obviously) for long flights. This lets you stay hydrated without asking the flight attendant for forty plastic cups that tip in turbulence.

From Redditor u/harmon25:

Book a seat early if you can; this changes everything on long-haul economy flights. The travel rest pillow is simple but seems revolutionary for sleeping on planes, especially for those who struggle with neck pillows. It beats any neck pillow. Pack deodorant, toothbrush/toothpaste to feel fresh. Better airlines offer this in Y class [full-fare economy]. Dress comfortably. Seats can be hard. I usually wear sweatpants with gym shorts underneath for temperature control.

From Redditor u/simplyawesomeaccount:

I use earplugs, sunglasses, and a big scarf as a blanket. These items help me sleep, making the trip faster.

From Redditor u/melodien:

I fly long distances often (I live in Sydney and work for a US company). I support a good neck pillow, water, noise-canceling headphones, and a seat upgrade. I add:

A good eye mask that blocks out light.

Moisturizer (I am female), lip balm, and pharmacy eye drops for dry eyes.

A paperback book. They never run out of power.

AScottevest. I own two (one light, one heavy) and cannot imagine traveling without one. I put everything in my pockets, but the whole thing goes through security scanners.

Noise-occluding foam earplugs: You might find sleeping with these easier than using headphones.

The music player plays whatever I pick, plus at least one "ambient noise." I like ocean waves, storms, things like that. Google "Pleasure Point Breakwater Waves": That track repeats and works well.

I take my knitting too: a simple pattern on circular needles. I usually use a single ball of sport weight yarn (not dark; hard to see in bad light, which most planes have).

Wear the most comfortable bra you own. Use pants with stretch and lace-up flat shoes (if your feet swell). I wear a silk T-shirt with 3/4 sleeves, NYDJ jeans, the Scottevest, and a fleece jacket. Skip low-cut clothes and bring a thin scarf.

Thinking more about this later:

Pack a small notebook and a pen.

Bring a packet of tissues.

If you wear glasses, bring a couple of sachets of lens cleaning wipes.

Take airline-approved nail clippers and an emery board.

Carry any medication you need, including prescriptions if you travel internationally.

I always keep a clean T-shirt and underwear in my carry-on. I experienced the airline separating me from my checked luggage unexpectedly (Qantas, I'm looking at you).

Redditor u/lidka18:

Bring a mini deodorant and a mini toothbrush/toothpaste in your carry-on bag.

Bring eye drops, especially if you use contacts; they dry out.

Pack a change of clothes. Once, someone leaned their seat back suddenly, spilling coffee all over my jeans on a flight from Europe to the USA. :(

Get up and walk around often. Stretch your legs, arms, and back. My friend's mother was hospitalized once due to blood clots from sitting too long during frequent travel.

Redditor u/JapanNow:

Airplane humidity averages 4%. I carry a small washcloth (face-sized) in a Ziploc bag. Before sleeping or resting, I wet the cloth and place it over my face. I must re-moisten it every couple of hours. This lets me breathe moist air and keeps my face hydrated. I can stow the wet cloth when not using it. I feel much better when I do this upon arrival. HTH!