If you are a frequent flyer, then you may be no stranger to long-haul flights. If you are going on your first long-haul flight, then let us warn you ahead of time – it can get uncomfortable.
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Even if you fly first class, the limited space for a long time will take its toll. Lucky for you, some flying tricks can help make your journey a little more bearable. Read on to get some amazing tips and flying tricks about long-distance flights.
How to get the cheapest air fares
Before you start looking for the cheapest flights online, make sure you set your Internet browser to private browsing or Incognito mode. You can usually do this in the Settings area. This is the best way to get cheap deals.
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This is because your browser can track your internet usage patterns through website cookies. These cookies let companies know what you are looking for which makes them mark up the price when you check again.
How to get airline perks
If you travel a lot, it helps to be a loyal flyer and stick to the same airline. This allows you to save miles and it is an easy and cost-effective way to get some perks too. It is very usual if you plan to be a frequent flyer whether for business or pleasure.
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Some perks you can get are boarding earlier, access to airport lounges, getting bumped up to first class, and eventually, a free flight. If you travel internationally, make sure you go with an airline that covers all the possible places you have to travel to.
How to choose the best seats
Comfortable seats will make a long-haul flight easier. If you can, take advantage of pre-chosen seats when you buy your tickets instead of letting the airline assign you seats on the big day. You are most likely to get middle seats this way. When choosing, always take note of your preferences.
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If you are the type who wants to stretch from time to time, choose an aisle seat. If you will be sleeping most of the time, choose the window seat so you can lean your head on the wall. The window seat is also ideal if you like the view from above. If you think your flight won’t be fully booked, get a seat in the last row. You’d likely end up with no seatmates.
How to avoid seating next to babies
Babies are the cutest but they can get really fussy on flights. And it gets worse when they start crying. You won’t be able to avoid flying with a baby but there happen to be some tricks to help you lessen the chances of seating next to one.
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The next time you choose your seats on your next flight, steer clear of the partitions. Parents usually choose them because it gives them space to set up their bassinets. We understand you do not hate babies – you just want to have a nice and comfortable flight.
How to deal with documents
Flying involves a lot of documents and if you are traveling internationally, a lot of bureaucracy. There are other documents that you need to keep track of aside from your passport. And losing one while traveling can be a living nightmare.
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Do a document checklist to make sure that all your papers are in order. It also helps to make photocopies of everything and have digital copies on your e-mail account and your phone. This may seem too much but it will help out a lot when one of your documents goes missing.
How to switch your seats
Unable to get a good seat when you booked your ticket? Do not worry. There is still a chance for you to switch seats. All you have to do is ask the agents at the gate before boarding time.
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The check-in system may show a full flight but other passengers check in online and end up missing the flight. The agents at the gate will know if there are some seats open. If you are lucky enough, you may even get a whole row to yourself.
How to avoid flight delays
Do you hate it when your flight gets delayed? There is a trick to avoiding that. Always book the first flight out! Although you don’t really have control over what happens to your flight, the chances that the first flight out would be delayed is minimal.
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And there is data to prove this. In fact, the unspoken rule is that the later you fly, the more likely your flight gets delayed. Early morning flights can be torture because you have to wake up in ungodly hours for it but it’s worth it for important trips.
How to avoid turbulence and motion sickness
Whether you have motion sickness or you are just really scared of experiencing turbulence on your flight, here is some advice from the experts. Pick a morning flight if you have the option to choose your flight time.
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This is because turbulence happens when the air rises as the Earth gets hotter. It also happens when there are strong winds or when there is a storm taking place. These events usually happen late in the afternoon.
What to do during a layover
Does your travel involve a layover? If it might take a few hours before you can switch planes, you should try to make the most out of your layover then. You are allowed to leave the airport as long as your passport allows your visa-free entry to the layover destination.
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Do some homework and check to see if there are any attractions nearby the airport. If you only have an hour though, it is best to just stay at the airport and check out the kinds of services or entertainment they have.
How to plan out business trips
Business trips can be stressful – especially if you have a lot of meetings and appointments to make at your destination. Some would even go straight to a meeting the moment they land. If you can have control over your schedule, use it to plan your trip wisely.
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It is better if you schedule all meetings and errands for the day after your arrival. This does not only give you room to rest and recover from jet lag but also gives adjustments in case your flight is delayed. This will allow you to be at your best when you go about your business.
How to avoid the check-in queue
Checking in early can take a whole lot of stress away from you – especially if you get stuck in traffic on the way to the airport. Most airline providers allow you to check in from their app to make your life easier.
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Online check-ins can also help you avoid long queues at the check-in counter. If you do not have any luggage to check-in, you can breeze through and skip the line. It gives you more time to do other things before your flight like grab a meal or charge your gadgets.
When to leave the house for your flight
This is just a quick reminder for those who still need it. Missing your flight is an expensive mistake. It is common sense to arrive at the airport early so but how much time you need to get to the airport before boarding is still up for debate.
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Some people would believe that you should leave your house at least 3 hours before your boarding time. This will give you ample time in case there is traffic and any unforeseen issues during your check-in.
How to get your bag first at your destination
Do you hate waiting for your bag to show up on the carousel after your flight lands? It can be a challenge for those whose patience wears thin or for those who need to rush somewhere else immediately.
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There is a way to ensure that your bag will be among the first batch to be unloaded. But fair warning, this will also require some patience on your part before departure. The trick is to be one of the last people to check-in. Your bag will be the last to get on the plane and will be the first to get out.
How to dress for your flight
How you dress is important when it comes to the level of comfort you will have on your flight. Clothing makes a huge impact. You should avoid wearing tight clothing and choose soft and stretchy clothes instead. It’s always advisable to bring a sweater or a scarf since the air conditioning can be strong on the plane and at the airport.
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If you have to rush off somewhere the moment you arrive like a business meeting, try to have your outfit on your carry-on and get dressed after you land. After all, you still have to wait a few minutes for your baggage. Use the time to dress up instead!
How to choose your shoes for your flight
The clothes you have on during the flight are not the only thing that dictates your comfort. Your shoes are just as important. Remember you will be going through security where some airports would ask you to take off your shoes or you may be rushing towards your gate at some point.
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For your footwear, choose something breathable and lightweight. Since it is a long-haul flight, there may be moments when you would want to kick off your shoes on the plane. You should wear a pair that is easy to take off and put back on.
How to make your flight relaxing
Long-haul flights can be exhausting so it does not hurt to take a little luxury with you onboard. This will make you feel more comfortable and make you feel fresh when you reach your destination.
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Pack up a relaxing kit that contains items like earplugs, sleeping masks, aromatic pillow mists, face cream, and whatever else you need to relax. You should also include some essentials like a toothbrush, toothpaste, and deodorant to freshen up before your plane lands.
How to ensure a good sleep on the plane
If you are planning to do some sleeping on your long-haul flight, it is best to bring a book or a magazine for entertainment instead of using your gadgets. This is because the blue light that emits from most screens will interfere with your ability to sleep.
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If you are not fond of reading, you can also bring a book of word puzzles or sudoku with you. Another way to make sure you can sleep is to listen to music during the flight. Download beforehand some relaxing music and you will be able to entertain yourself until you fall asleep.
How to make sure you won’t go hungry on your flight
Food on your flight will be limited so if you have a big appetite or you are the snacky type, it is always best to bring some snacks with you to keep you going throughout a long-haul flight.
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This does not only keep you full throughout the flight but you can even save money. On-flight snacks can be expensive. Just make sure to keep the snacks and drinks small so that they will be allowed on your carry-on.
How to watch movies and TV shows on your flight
Long-haul flights come with entertainment systems where you can watch movies. But frequent flyers recommend that you bring your own tablet or laptop instead. This is because the screen quality of flight entertainment can sometimes be bad.
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Download some movies or TV shows you want to binge on during the flight and watch them on your gadget. Make sure to take your own earphones or headsets with you so you do not disturb the passengers around you,
Always have cash with you
Everything can be paid online or with credit cards these days. But when you are taking a flight – may it be a short or long one – it is always best to carry some cash with you. This is because there may be some services that do not accept electronic payment on your destination.
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Some airlines would ask for cash if you want a snack on the plane. Then, you may need to do some tipping once you arrive in your destination like for valet service or the bellhop boy in your hotel.
Bring sanitizers with you all the time
Traveling in a plane means you are in a confined space with so many strangers. You do not know where they have been, if they are sick, and if they even sanitize themselves. It can be a nightmare for those who have a weak immune system.
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Make sure to have something to help you sanitize and clean up all the time such as hand sanitizer or alcohol wipes. Wipe down surfaces to make sure you do not catch any germs. This is important especially these days where it has been proven how you can catch and spread disease while traveling.
Enjoy the lounge
If you travel all the time, you might as well enjoy the lounges at the airport. After all, nothing sucks like having to wait a few hours for your flight in a crowded lobby area. It can get uncomfortable.
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Some people can get into these lounges thanks to their credit cards while some get it as perks through frequent flyer programs. It is also worth it in case your flight gets delayed and you have to wait longer than usual.
Stay away from carbonated drinks
Carbonated drinks like soda can be refreshing – especially if you are rushed over to the airport. But if you need a drink and you are taking a long-haul flight, it is best to stay away from these fizzy drinks.
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This is because you swallow a lot of air when you drink carbonated drinks. This is why you burp after drinking and it’s not really good for your digestive tract. And when the plane moves from one altitude to another, the air inside you will just swell up and give you pain.
Forget the ice
Ice makes any drink better right? There is nothing more refreshing than an ice-cold drink. But on a long-haul flight, it is best to avoid requesting one on the plane – especially if you have a sensitive stomach.
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Aside from the fact that you are actually losing out on the beverage-to-ice ratio, there is one more concerning problem most people are not aware of. The ice cubes are made from the water tank and there is no telling if these airlines clean out their water tank after every flight.
How to handle air pressure
Sometimes it can take a while before the plane would take off. And while waiting, it can be tempting to fall asleep. But it is recommended to stay awake during the takeoff and landing.
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If you are sleeping, your ears will not be able to regulate the pressure during the takeoff and landing. You need to be conscious and alert for that. If you have difficulty with pressure still, it helps to chew gum.
Leave the air vents on
It can really get cold on the plane – which is why it is always best to bring a jacket along with you even if you are traveling somewhere hot. Some people would find it too cold that they shut off the air vents above them. But this happens to be a bad idea.
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It is best to leave the air vents on because it actually gives you protection. The air creates some sort of force field around you that deflects any disease and germs from other passengers. If you have dry skin, keeping the air vents on will also help your skin stay moisturized.
How to get uninterrupted sleep
Throughout the flight, the attendants will be walking around making sure everyone has their seatbelts on. If you are sleeping and your blanket is covering your seatbelt, they will wake you up to make sure that you are buckled in.
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If you do not want to be interrupted while sleeping, there is one trick that you can do. Cover yourself up first with the blanket then buckle up over it. This way, the flight attendant can easily see that you have your seatbelt on and won’t have to check on you.
Make sure to stretch
It is very important to stretch when you are on a long-haul flight. Sitting down for a long period can do damage to your spine. You have to make sure that your body gets to do some movement from time to time.
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Stretching will also be good for your blood flow since blood flow to your limbs may be blocked when you are seated for a long time. If you do not have the room to stretch from your seat, walk down the aisle and do some stretches as you make your way to the bathroom.
How to deal with dry eyes
The dry air circulating in the plane can take a toll on your eyes after some time. It dries your eyes up and soon they will feel itchy. Before you know it, you will land with reddish eyes.
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Frequent flyers advise you to always have eye drops with you. You just have to make sure it is in a 100-ml or less bottle so airport security will not take it away. If your eyes start to itch, apply some drops to them so they stay hydrated.
How to get the best service and freebies
A long-haul flight with lousy service from the crew can be torture. Although flight attendants are trained to serve and be nice to everyone, they can get tired sometimes too. After all, some of them work back-to-back flights all day.
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It is no secret that being nice goes a long way but frequent flyers advise that you can seal the deal by giving the flight crew a little something, like chocolate bars. Not only does it guarantee you getting the best service but some would also offer freebies for you to enjoy too.
How to avoid jet lag
Jet lag is pretty common for international and long-haul flights. Nobody likes it and it can cause you to waste your first day on your destination. But there is a simple trick to escape it.
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All you have to do is go for a jog on the first morning of your trip. It may seem like an impossible thing to do if you are feeling jet lag but force yourself to do it. The boost of vitamin D and exposure to sunlight helps your body adjust to your new schedule.