Here are Some of the Most Common Mistakes to Avoid on Long Flights! Amy Wiener January 19, 2021 Air Travel, Travel Tips Cramped quarters, chatty seatmates, and lots of sitting are some of the *ahem* charms of long flights. Mix in unknown variables like crying babies, cabin temperatures, and bad food, and you could have an unpredictable long haul ahead of you. What if you’re sitting next to a snoring passenger and you can’t find your headphones because you packed too much? The good news is that long flights don’t have to be stressful or irritating. With airlines continuously decreasing legroom and seat space while increasing capacity, being prepared for your long haul flight is the most important thing you can do to ensure that you avoid the most common long flight mistakes. Without further ado, here’s how to avoid mistakes on long flights, so you can get to your destination rested and content. Over-Packing Packing light means packing smart. Do you really need two hoodies or five books? Pack clothes that can be layered, multi-use, and look good in all settings. You’ll also want to make your packing list ahead of time. Don’t wait too long to start prepping once your flights are booked. Another mistake to avoid is bringing so much on the plane that you can’t find what you’re looking for when you need it. Also, pack anything you need for your flight in your bag and store it in the overhead bin. Make sure you put all the supplies you’ll need under the seat in front of you for easy access. Climbing over your sleeping neighbor and rummaging through the overhead bin is something you’ll want to avoid. Spilling Your Drink This tip is pretty self-explanatory. If you think you’re going to flip over that flimsy cup on your tray, don’t accept the complimentary beverage. And if you do, just know that you risk sitting in a cold, wet puddle of soda for several hours. And nothing can be worse than being stuck on a long flight with wet clothes. Our advice? Pack a water bottle instead. Forgetting the Essentials If you’re a light sleeper, bring earplugs. If you know you want to read, bring a book. Bring snacks, water, gum, and something to lean on. Bring whatever you need to be comfortable. Even if you think this is the opportunity to show off how easy it is for you to travel and pack lightly, it’s not. Bring something warm to cover yourself up with once you’re airborne. It can be pretty cold up there and blankets are quite the coveted item. After all, you may just need to use all of those blankets as a buffer between the soda-soaked seat and your backside (see above). Sleeping Through Your Meals It’s hard not to fall asleep while comfortably sitting in your seat — especially on a longer flight. But, if offered a complimentary meal, you must power through and wait to decide if you want beef or chicken. If you think you’re not hungry and drift off to sleep, you’ll regret it later when you wake up starving and everyone else is comfortably snoozing with satisfied appetites. Related: 6 Expensive Travel Mistakes You’re Probably Making Making Friends With Your Seat Neighbor (Or Not) This is a tricky one. Becoming friendly with your neighbor is unavoidable for many of us. However, you may regret it during hour three when you know the activities and whereabouts of your seat neighbor’s 15 grandchildren in (way too much) detail. However, this individual can be an important ally when needing someone to make sure you don’t miss your meal, or when you’re in the market for extra blankets and pillows. Forgetting to Check the Floor Before You Leave If you’re wondering what not to do on a long flight, forgetting to double-check under your seat and the area around you before you exit the plane is high up on the list. Losing something on an airplane is second only to losing something in a taxi when it comes to losing your belongings forever. If you’ve dropped something, it’s unlikely you’ll realize it’s gone until you’re home. And at that point, you’ll have a hard time retrieving or confirming ownership over your precious lost item. The exhaustion and stress of travelling makes you all the more susceptible to losing something important. Not Drinking Enough Water Not drinking enough water is one of the most common long flight mistakes. Airplanes have really high levels of humidity and will dry you out quicker than when you’re at home. It’s important for your comfort and health that you drink water before and during your flight. You should board the plane already hydrated and continue drinking water throughout the flight. We know those airplane bathrooms aren’t ideal, but would you rather feel icky throughout the flight and after? We think not. Not Dressing Appropriately Brrrr… your seatmate cranked up the air, and you’re freezing. And you forgot to bring a sweater! Don’t make the mistake of over or under-dressing for your flight. Be sure to bring something comfortable that you’ll be able to wear for hours on end. Remember: you might be sleeping in this outfit until you get to your destination. Assuming Your Plane’s Wifi/Inflight Entertainment Will Work Ah, technology. You gotta love it – when it works. Sometimes airplane WiFi or in-flight entertainment is down, and you’re stuck without entertainment if you don’t have a backup plan. Make sure you download shows ahead of time onto your device or bring materials that you can read without WiFi. You’ll be glad you did! What other mistakes did you learn from the last time you flew? We want to hear about it in the comments!
