Air travel: 13 tips to make it more comfortable and enjoyable
The long-awaited holidays have finally arrived; everything is ready for departure, but when you get on the plane, trouble starts: children screaming, difficulty finding a comfortable position, feeling sleepy but unable to fall asleep, digestive problems caused by meals eaten on board, and so on .
In short, air travel to your holiday destination can turn into a nightmare and, thanks to jet-lag, upon landing we could find ourselves so tired that we struggle to enjoy the first few days of our holidays.
Is there a way to avoid these problems and have a first-class experience while being economy class? Of course there is, and we have discovered 13 tips! Let's see what they are:
Choose your seat well
Seat selection must be made strategically; when approaching this task, it is best to take into account various factors. There is less turbulence at the front of the plane, engine noise is less annoying and the air is cooler. It is best to avoid seats that are too close to the engine, kitchen or toilet. Even though a window seat has its own appeal, the seat on the aisle is usually a little quieter.
The correct position to sleep in
According to sleep experts, the ideal sleeping position on an airplane is leaning forward onto the tray. Experienced travellers advise that it is best to recline the seat as much as possible (which hardly needs saying).
Only drink from sealed bottles
As confirmed by flight attendants, aircraft water tanks are not always washed regularly or thoroughly. It is therefore better to opt for drinks contained in sealed bottles and avoid consuming coffee and tea prepared with the water from these tanks.
Keep the air conditioning on
The low humidity of the air on planes dries up our mucous membranes and makes them more susceptible to attack by viruses and bacteria. To avoid such an occurrence, the air conditioning must always be on and set to a medium or high flow level. The air acts as a protective barrier, pushing bacteria and viruses to the floor, preventing them from reaching our mucous membranes.
Snack on bananas
To promote well-being during the flight, it is advisable to snack on a couple of bananas: the magnesium and potassium they contain help to regulate blood pressure and promote sleep.
Eat or drink something cold before sleeping
Cold drinks and cold foods lower your body temperature, giving your body a signal that it's time to take a nap. Consuming these during the flight will help you fall asleep more easily.
Bring something soft from home
To promote relaxation and sleep, you can bring something soft from home: a small pillow, a blanket, a pillowcase. The familiar smell of home will allow your brain to associate the time with bedtime. On long-haul night flights, you can also recreate a routine that follows your usual one before bedtime: wear comfortable clothes, brush your teeth, read, etc.
Bring warm socks with you
On airplanes it is usually quite cool, so having a warm pair of socks with you will help you feel more comfortable. Graduated, compression stockings are also very useful during air travel, because they improve blood circulation, reducing the risk of blood clots and swelling.
Avoid crossing your legs
Often, while sitting, we tend to cross our legs. Experts have always advised against this and in particular, it is best to avoid it while in flight, because it slows down blood circulation and increases the risk of thrombus. The best position is with the legs straight and the knees slightly bent.
Protect your hair
To protect your hair and keep it tidy, while also preventing it from becoming electrified by static, it is advisable to cover your head with a scarf.
Avoid using makeup and moisturize your skin
The dry air of a plane makes the use of makeup redundant during flights. It is better to use a good moisturizer, applied before boarding. You can also bring a serum with you to reapply during the flight, if you feel that your skin is drying out. Certain fabric face masks are also excellent, as they contain hyaluronic acid - an excellent ally for skin hydration.
Wear a travel pillow backwards
If you use a travel pillow backwards, you will sleep better thanks to the support provided to the chin, which will prevent your head from falling forward, while the nape of the neck will be supported by the seat.
Protect your neck
A bare neck may prevent you from relaxing and falling asleep because you may get cold. Cover it with a scarf or turtleneck sweater.
What do you think, did you know any of these tips? Do you think they would help you feel like a first class passenger? Buckle up and have a good flight!
