5 Tips for Traveling More Comfortably on the Plane

Traveling on long-haul flights can be unpleasant if you don’t have the right habits. Here are some basic tips, easy to implement, that will allow you to travel more comfortably.

Choose Your Seat Wisely

The first point to feeling comfortable on the plane is to choose your seat wisely. Of course, we are excluding those who have the opportunity to travel in Business Class or directly in a Private Jet, as the seats there are wide and comfortable. We will therefore talk about seats in economy class, where space is rather limited.

Although the size of the seats and the legroom may vary slightly depending on the airlines, the choice will mainly depend on the positioning of the seat you choose on the plane. There are indeed advantages and disadvantages depending on whether the seat is at the front or back of the aircraft. Or if you are by the window or aisle…

Generally, tall people prefer seats located at the front of the aircraft, at the heads of rows, or at the emergency exits. These seats allow for more legroom, which prevents feeling “cramped” on the plane. However, depending on the airlines, choosing them often entails paying a small additional fee.

You will also need to choose between the window or aisle seat, depending on your travel habits. If you want to be undisturbed and sleep peacefully on the plane, then go for the window seat. If, on the other hand, you like to get up regularly, an aisle seat will be more suitable. The middle seat will certainly be the least comfortable on the plane, as you will have no concrete advantage of being sandwiched between two people, unable to relax, neither on your right nor on your left.

Also, consider whether your seat is close to the toilets or not, as this can be a disadvantage for your peace of mind (with the numerous back and forth and potential smells).

Dress Comfortably

Although choosing the seat is essential for traveling comfortably on the plane, your clothing will be just as important. Therefore, do not neglect this point, or you may end up with discomfort and pain, which can arise very quickly after a few hours of flights.

In the plane, comfort is more important than style! So, there’s no need to dress up for a long-haul flight; it’s better to prioritize loose and comfortable clothes and leave aside your best jeans or chic clothes. Anyway, you’ll be sitting 90% of the time, and nobody will check if you lack elegance.

Sweatpants, leggings, or slightly loose trousers will be perfect for the bottom. And a small jumper or a hoodie can be suitable for the top. Just make sure the material is neither too thin nor too thick. Temperatures can sometimes vary during a flight, and nights are often cool. However, the various changes at the airport can also make you very hot. So, opt for a happy medium to feel good.

Also, make sure to choose your underwear carefully (comfort first) and even your socks and shoes. You should be able to move easily in the airport and at the exit of the plane. So, choose flat sneakers and forget about heels. You might also want to take off your shoes on the plane to feel more comfortable. You can then pack a pair of slightly higher and thicker socks in your bag to put on during the flight.

Finally, for those who suffer from circulatory problems, consult your doctor about compression stockings. But be careful, they should be put on in the morning before the flight and removed only once you arrive at your destination.

Sleep As Much As Possible

Sleeping well on the planeTo avoid feeling bored on a long-haul flight, it’s ideal to be able to sleep for a good portion of the journey. The temptation to stay glued to the screens may be strong, but it’s better to use your time to rest as much as possible. This will allow you to arrive sufficiently refreshed at your destination, ready to fully enjoy your trip.

Also, don’t think that it’s better not to sleep on the plane to avoid Jet Lag. Because fatigue sets in so quickly when traveling abroad that even a short hour of sleep can be beneficial for the rest of your journey. Sleeping well on the plane is a luxury that is really not to be underestimated.

Although some people find it very difficult to sleep on planes, it’s best to “train” or condition yourself to sleep more. To do this, you’ll need to stack the odds in your favor by creating a comfortable bubble around you. Opt for a comfortable eye mask and quality earplugs to avoid being disturbed by small lights or surrounding noises.

A small blanket, shoes off, and a good pair of soft socks will do the rest. As for the neck pillow, I remain doubtful about its usefulness. I much prefer to stabilize myself against the headrest, which often has reclining edges for added comfort.

Finally, try to keep your seatbelt fastened (even if you adjust it a bit “loosely”). This will prevent you from being awakened by a flight attendant during turbulence.

Take Care Of Your Body

In order to feel good on the plane throughout the flight, you need to think about taking care of your body. For this, don’t hesitate to move regularly by getting up from your seat to walk along the aisles and even do some exercises and stretches. It’s not just a matter of comfort; it’s also good for your health. Because a long-haul flight can lead to circulation problems, even cases of phlebitis. You never know…

It’s therefore recommended to stretch your legs every 3-4 hours, even if it’s just for a few minutes. While seated, you can also do some ankle stretches and twists, foot flexes. You can also do some movements with your neck, which can quickly become stiff, stuck between the seat and the window, or in a travel pillow.

Finally, don’t hesitate to pack the essentials in your carry-on bag to clean, refresh, and hydrate your face for the night. From experience, you feel much better with a clean (and makeup-free) face and a good night cream. Also, remember to apply moisturizing lip balm and hand cream. It can’t be said enough, but the cabin air tends to dry out the skin enormously.

Eat In Moderation

The comfort of your body during the flight will also depend on your diet. First and foremost, proper hydration is essential to stay fit and feel good on the plane. So, avoid drinking alcohol or too much coffee, and opt for water instead. This will prevent you from feeling like a “prune all dried up” after a few hours of flying!

My advice for staying hydrated and never running out of water is to bring a small empty water bottle that you can fill up after going through security. Keep it for nighttime hours, which will save you from having to constantly ask flight attendants for a glass of water (which can be scarce and discreet in the middle of the night).

Lastly, a balanced and not too rich diet is recommended. It’s better to eat in moderation to avoid any discomfort and sleep better. The meals provided on the plane are generally light, so you shouldn’t have any trouble following this advice. However, if you insist on bringing snacks on the plane, try to choose healthy products that are easy to digest. (See tips from an airline nutritionist for eating well before and during a flight).

With all these basic tips, you should have a relatively pleasant flight! And if you know of any other tips for traveling comfortably on the plane, feel free to share them in the comments so that everyone can benefit.