Boredom. Numbness. Itchy eyes. Constant noise. Jet lag. Mediocre food and boring in-flight entertainment filled with re-runs and Hollywood remakes.
If you have ever taken a long-haul flight, you are most likely familiar with some – or all – of these. Things can get even worse when you fly overseas – sometimes the long hours of being locked inside a metal cage hurling at amazing speeds at a high altitude can become unbearable. Luckily, there are ways in which these long hours spent in the air travel limbo can be made bearable – possibly even enjoyable – if you prepare for them right. The tips below might prove to be helpful.
Keep your in-flight entertainment light
Keeping yourself entertained for the long hours you’ll spend confined to your seat might seem easy at first but it’s not as simple as it seems. After all, you’ll likely get bored of reading the same book or playing sudoku after a while. Instead of trying to read the entire “War and Peace” in one sitting, try to think of the most diverse ways to entertain yourself.
If you happen to fly an air line with in-flight WiFi, you can consider yourself to be saved. Internet gives you access to an enormous variety of ways to have fun, ranging from catching up on emails, chatting to your Grandma, finding the games at Red Flush online casino Canada, or tracking down a variety of live streams, videos, music, and reading material. Playing a simple game, like a slot machine at the Red Flush, might prove to be a great choice – a hand of blackjack or a few rounds of triple-pocket hold-em poker (a Red Flush exclusive) will keep you entertained while possibly even making you drowsy. Or if you’re lucky enough to be flying Air Canada, they’ve always got an old school billiards game that should keep you entertained for a while.
Keep your books light – choose something that’s fun without requiring too much focus, something unlikely for you to achieve in the constant buzzing of the plane. I’ve been reading Magicians of the Gods by Graham Hancock. It presents some alternative facts about the archeological record that I can’t help but find fascinating. Check out his interviews on Joe Rogans podcast as well, they’re pretty heated and will make you question a lot of what you’ve been told in school!
Don’t pin yourself to the chair
Take a break from sitting every once in a while. Sitting for long hours is potentially harmful for your health, especially if you are crammed into a business or economy class seat. Walk up and down, do a few squats (if you have the space), stretch, basically do anything you can to avoid your legs falling asleep – or worse. Deep vein thrombosis becomes a painfully probable outcome if you don’t – immobility is one of the most common causes of the condition, and sitting on a crammed seat for hours is just that. Consider taking that ebook on your phone and just reading 5 pages while standing up, your circulatory system will thank you.
Be well rested when you board
Don’t miss sleep before your flight hoping that you’ll recover it on board – but be prepared for when nap time comes. Bring your tried-and-tested neck pillow, a light blanket, and a pair of comfortable slippers. Freeing your feet from the tight grip of your shoe may mean the difference between comfort and hell. You can consider some light sleeping aids for the road but make sure to test them before giving them a go live – different meds can act differently in the case of each individual.
(Bonus) Try to upgrade to first class
When it comes to long-haul flights, upgrading to first class might be the best thing you can do for yourself. Think of the extra leg room, the digestible food, the silence, and the fully reclinable seats. Use up all your frequent flyer points if you have to – it’s worth it. The cost might be prohibative to some, so if you have a flexible schedule and are willing to volunteer in the case of over-booked flights, you’ll often find your next leg upgraded, or at the very least you’ll leave with some extra money in your pocket.