Smart Hacks to Survive Long-Haul Flights/ The first part

If you’re a frequent flyer you must have had your fair share of long-distance flights. And if you’re new to long journeys and you’re preparing for your first flight, welcome.
Whether you’re traveling for business or leisure you might even enjoy the 18-hour flight. Keep reading for some amazing tips to help ease your journey and make your flight a little more comfortable.
Lay Off the Ice
There’s nothing more refreshing than an ice-cold beverage. More so when you’re stuck on a long flight. However, you might want to avoid requesting any on your next plane ride.

Aside from the fact that the beverage to ice ratio in a glass filled with ice can be quite unbalanced, the actual ice cubes are made from the water tank and the tank might not always be properly cleaned.
Stay Awake and Alert on Takeoff and Landing
It may be tempting to fall asleep as soon as you get on the plane, but you really shouldn’t do that.
Unfortunately, your ears cannot regulate pressure whilst the plane is going up in the air or coming back down to the landing strip at high speeds. Our suggestion? Stay awake and chew gum.
Dress for the Occasion
How you dress at the airport and on the flight is very important. You might want to avoid anything too tight that could potentially squeeze you. Leave the jeans and formal shirts in your luggage even if you’re traveling for business. Clothing is one of the biggest things that can make your flight comfortable so always be prepared.

Put on some soft and stretchy pants, a baggy t-shirt, a warm sweater because the air conditioning is always on and a scarf for that added warmth.
The Early Bird Catches the Flight
There’s nothing worse than missing your flight so skip the traffic and get to the airport early. Although most people already know to do this, there’s no harm in getting another quick reminder. How much time you need to get to the airport before boarding is still up for debate.

Some people believe that 3 hours is sufficient and others say you need even more time. Nonetheless, you have to arrive early to steer clear of any unforeseen issues such as long check-in lines or a slow parking lot trolley.
Lounge Around
If you travel often you should really consider taking advantage of the lounges at the airport. Some people use their credit cards to do so, others can enjoy the perks through great frequent flyer programs. The most popular card is the American Express Platinum card.

Many airports around North America let you in for free for simply being a cardholder. You might have to pay a small fee at other lounges but the perks are worth it.
Don’t Delay
You can’t always have control over what happens with your flights but the data never lies. The reality is, buying an early morning flight means fewer chances of your flight being delayed.

The unspoken rule is that the later you fly, the more likely your flight will be postponed.
Bring on the Layers
This tip emphasizes the value of dressing comfortably for a flight. From the expert’s mouth – layer up. At any given moment the climate may change and the temperature in an airplane can go from freezing to scorching hot in a matter of seconds.

That’s why layering is great for travel. So stay prepared. If it gets too hot you can always use the extra layers as a pillow.
Put Your Best Foot Forward
Your shoes are just as important as the rest of your outfit. You want them to be lightweight and breathable like a cool breeze on a summer’s day. Stay away from heels or tight formal shoes as you’ll most likely need to hurry to your gate or through security at some point in time.

You might need to kick off your shoes once you’re on the plane so you can get more comfortable, so wear a pair that isn’t a hassle to take off and put back on.
Don’t Forget to Check-in
Make your journey as stress-free as possible by getting rid of any check-in stress in advance. Check-in early to avoid any unnecessarily long queues that may be at the airport when you arrive. Simply drop off your luggage at the desk and head straight to security. This gives you more time to do other things, like charging your phone for the last time.

No one wants to be on an 18-hour flight with a dead phone. Make your life even easier by checking in on the airline app. This service is available on most operators.
Stay Away From Fizzy Drinks
Nothing refreshes like a cold Coke or any other soda for that matter, but if you’re catching a long-haul flight you might want to steer clear of them. It’s as simple as this; carbonated drinks make you swallow a ton of air.

This is not good for your digestive tract and the air will come out as a burp or flatulence in the end. Furthermore, when the pilot moves to different altitudes, the air could swell up and cause you pain.