How To Survive A 17-Hour Flight With Your Travel Newbie Spouse
How To Survive A 17-Hour Flight With Your Travel Newbie Spouse - Bring Plenty of Entertainment Options
A 17-hour flight can feel like an eternity, especially for a first-timer. While you may be an experienced traveler who can sleep anywhere, your companion is sure to get restless. Load up your carry-on with activities to keep them occupied during the long haul.
Pack a fully-charged e-reader or tablet with new books, magazines, podcasts, and playlists downloaded. Bring noise-canceling headphones so they can immerse themselves without disturbing seatmates. Choose engaging games and movies they haven't seen before. An external battery pack or charged laptop can provide extra entertainment juice.
Provide a variety of snacks to graze on, especially healthy proteins to boost energy. Hydration is also key, so bring a large refillable water bottle. Change up activities every hour or so to beat boredom. Switch from reading to guided meditation, then watch a movie or work on a crossword puzzle.
What else is in this post?
- How To Survive A 17-Hour Flight With Your Travel Newbie Spouse - Bring Plenty of Entertainment Options
- How To Survive A 17-Hour Flight With Your Travel Newbie Spouse - Pack Comfortable Clothes and Essentials
- How To Survive A 17-Hour Flight With Your Travel Newbie Spouse - Plan Your In-Flight Meals and Snacks
- How To Survive A 17-Hour Flight With Your Travel Newbie Spouse - Get Up and Stretch Your Legs Regularly
- How To Survive A 17-Hour Flight With Your Travel Newbie Spouse - Book Seats and Flights Strategically
How To Survive A 17-Hour Flight With Your Travel Newbie Spouse - Pack Comfortable Clothes and Essentials
A 17-hour haul calls for outfit planning to maximize comfort. Choose stretchy fabrics like jersey knits and yoga pants over stiff denim or business attire. Pack layers to adjust to the notoriously variable cabin temperatures. A light cardigan or hoodie can take the chill off. Neck pillows allow your companion to snooze without straining their neck. Blankets provide extra warmth as the cabin cools.
Though tempted to go shoeless, avoid it since feet swell at altitude. Well-cushioned slip-ons like loafers are ideal. For overnight red-eyes, pajamas or lounge sets allow changing into sleep mode. Moisturizing socks keep feet soft.
Toothbrush and mini-toothpaste let you freshen up mid-flight without leaving your seat. Cleansing facial wipes remove grime. Hand sanitizer and tissues are plane essentials. Melatonin or natural sleep aids can encourage quality rest. Earplugs and sleep masks block noise and light.
A large, soft scarf can be used as a blanket or neck pillow. It's wise to have your companion pack a spare t-shirt in case of spills. With lavatories occupied, changing clothes can be challenging. A spritz of cologne freshens up. Face mists provide an instant moisture boost.
How To Survive A 17-Hour Flight With Your Travel Newbie Spouse - Plan Your In-Flight Meals and Snacks
Fueling up properly during a long flight is crucial to maintaining energy and avoiding discomfort. While airline meals may be hit or miss, packing your own snacks and light meals can make a world of difference. Begin by assessing any dietary restrictions or preferences your spouse may have. Cater to their needs by including plenty of protein-rich options to keep them feeling full and energized.
Dried fruits, nuts, and energy bars make excellent portable snacks that won't weigh you down. For heartier fare, consider packing a sandwich, salad, or wrap with lean protein and fresh vegetables. Avoid anything too heavy or messy that could cause a disturbance in the cabin. Healthy dips like hummus or guacamole can provide a satisfying crunch when paired with carrot or cucumber sticks.
Stay hydrated by bringing a large reusable water bottle that you can refill throughout the flight. Herbal tea bags and instant coffee packets can also combat dehydration and provide a caffeine boost if needed. Avoid relying too heavily on in-flight beverages, as the dry cabin air can exacerbate dehydration.
To prevent boredom and overeating, schedule regular meal and snack breaks rather than grazing continuously. Set a timer on your phone to remind yourselves to pause, hydrate, and engage in other activities. This will help regulate your energy levels and keep your spouse occupied during the long haul.
How To Survive A 17-Hour Flight With Your Travel Newbie Spouse - Get Up and Stretch Your Legs Regularly
Long flights can be challenging, especially for the uninitiated traveler. Sitting for extended periods can lead to stiffness, swelling, and even deep vein thrombosis, a potentially serious condition. To combat this, make a concerted effort to get up and move around the cabin regularly. Aim for at least a brief walk every hour to keep your blood circulating and your muscles engaged.
When you do venture out of your seat, don't just pace up and down the aisles. Seek out the galley areas, where you'll often find more space to stretch your legs and even do some light exercises. Many airlines provide yoga mats or designate specific areas for passengers to move and limber up. Take advantage of these amenities to keep your body active and energized.
If your seatmate is sleeping or otherwise occupied, seize the opportunity to do some gentle squats, calf raises, or even a quick torso twist. Just be mindful of your surroundings and avoid any moves that could disturb those around you. The goal is to keep your body moving, not to put on a show.
In addition to walking, be sure to hydrate regularly. Dehydration can exacerbate the negative effects of prolonged sitting, so sip water consistently throughout the flight. Avoid excess alcohol, which can further dehydrate you and impair your circulation.
How To Survive A 17-Hour Flight With Your Travel Newbie Spouse - Book Seats and Flights Strategically
When booking seats for a long haul flight, choose aisle seats near the front lavatories. This allows you and your companion easy access without disturbing many seatmates during trips to the restroom, which increase on lengthy flights. Sitting closer to the front also lets you disembark sooner upon landing.
Window seats are preferable for sleeping against the cabin wall, though you’ll need to coordinate bathroom runs. If traveling together, book an empty seat between you for extra personal space and storage room. Check seat maps to spot vacant rows with side-by-side vacancies.
Research aircraft layouts on SeatGuru or similar sites. Find out where gialley areas are located to allow for inflight stretching. Some lavatories double as changing rooms. When possible, select seats away from noisy zones like near the toilets, exits, and galleys.
Aim for nonstop flights which minimize total travel time. Layovers add hours to an already grueling journey. For budget airlines, pay for assigned seats upfront or check-in exactly 24 hours pre-departure to secure seats together.
Book red-eye flights so you can potentially sleep during the overnight hours. Set alarms to take melatonin or natural sleep aids 30 minutes before the planned sleep period. Bring eye masks and ear plugs to block out light and noise.
When booking, enter your frequent flyer numbers to earn miles. Sign up for priority boarding to reduce wait time. Alert the airline of any special meal requirements in advance. Download the carrier’s app for up-to-date notifications.