Top 10 Tips for an International Flight
- Pack a “Go Bag.” My go bag is a small pouch/bag/satchel that fits inside of my carry-on. I put my necessities inside of this pouch to keep at my seat with me, which I pull out before stowing my carry-on in the overhead bin. There’s nothing more irritating than being stuck behind a person boarding the plane that takes forever to get seated and settled. You can avoid being that annoying person by having your go bag ready to go at the top of your carry-on. So what’s in my go bag?? I always include my ear buds/headphones, travel pillow, ear plugs, eye mask, lysol wipes, chapstick, book/e-reader, phone, fuzzy socks, throw-away slippers, scarf/shawl/pashmina, water bottle, and snacks. I know that sounds like a lot, but it keeps me happy, comfy, and entertained for the duration of my flight! You can personalize the contents of your own go bag to suit your specific needs.
- Pack disinfecting wipes to wipe down your arm rests, seat belt, tray, and touch screen. These spots are hot beds for germy germ germisons! They are even germier than the restrooms on your plane, since airplane restrooms actually get cleaned & sanitized on a regular basis and the aforementioned do not.
- Use this ear plug hack! Ear plugs are a must for me when flying! Whether you plan on sleeping, reading, or just having a peaceful flight, ear plugs can save you from the ear-piercing screams of that baby two rows behind you or the jovial man with a bellowing voice telling his life story to a stranger. But not just any ear plug can block these sounds…I have the perfect hack that will change your life! First, take just one foam ear plug and cut it in half before your trip. Put one half in each ear hole. Then, top it off with a silicone ear plug. You’ll be amazed at what you don’t hear!
- Book a window seat (if it’s available) for international flights during which you plan on sleeping. This is my only hope of getting any semblance of rest in coach, because I can lean up against the window to sleep and dream of whatever exciting adventure awaits me. If I’m stuck in a middle or aisle seat, I’m screwed, or rather the person next to me is, because I’ll be sleeping and most likely drooling all over that unlucky stranger! Plus, you can snag some amazing pics of the sky at 30,000 ft up in the air.
- Sleepy Time Tips: To tag onto my previous tip, I always carry my special sleepy time travel pillow, eye mask, scarf/shawl/pashmina, fuzzy socks, and throw away slippers when I plan on sleeping during a flight. Like most people, I find it very difficult to get quality rest when traveling in coach and trying to sleep upright, but these items make it a more pleasant experience.
- My preferred sleepy time travel pillow is the Travelrest ergonomic neck pillow, which is great for sleeping against a window. I can’t sleep with it in a middle or aisle seat, but then again, I can’t sleep with any pillow in those seats! What I love about this pillow is that it has a strap so you can wear it like a shoulder bag around your body and it won’t slip away when you shift in your sleep. This pillow is also great for those of us that like to hug something (or someone) while we sleep! I also splurged for the Travelrest memory foam pillow cover for an extra comfy experience!
- For eye masks, I’m not picky, but I do prefer those that have an extra cushion or bumper on the bottom part that sits across your nose in order to block the light that tries to creep in.
- Fuzzy socks are a must for keeping my feet warm and cozy, so I slip these on as soon as I’m settled.
- As for throw away slippers, I usually take the ones that are provided for free at hotels to use on long flights. I simply slip them over my fuzzy socks when I need to move about the cabin or go to the restroom.
- If you get chilly, you can use your scarf/shawl/pashmina as a wrap to stay warm, which has the added bonus of serving as a stylish accessory during your trip.
- BYOB: As in…Bring Your Own Bottle (refillable/reusable water bottle that is)! I prefer the Brita personal filtered water bottle , because you can change out the filter whenever the water starts tasting funky so that you have fresh tasting water wherever you travel!
- Order tomato juice to stay fuller longer, especially during those long, overseas flights. I don’t know about you, but those tiny, in-flight meals just aren’t substantive enough to keep me full for very long. I like to order my tomato juice spicy by asking for half tomato juice and half bloody Mary mix.
- BYOS: As in Bring Your Own Snacks! Tagging onto my tomato juice tip, I highly recommend bringing your own snacks. I’m always left hungry and wanting more food during those long, international flights, so I like to bring my own hearty and (somewhat) healthy snacks. My personal faves include cheese cubes, durable fruit (bananas don’t travel well, for example), turkey jerky, granola clusters, and individual snack packages of olives.
- Dress for comfort: Unless you’re traveling for business and have to run straight from the airport to a meeting, you should definitely dress for comfort (but don’t look like a slob)! My go-to’s are full-length yoga pants (with a cute design or cut-out) and a flowy top. If you’re prone to chilliness, throw on a cardigan or light sweater to complete your cozy, in-flight look!
- Have a themed playlist ready to rock n’ roll on your phone! There’s nothing like some good tunes to set the mood for your awesome vacation. I personally like to choose songs that have something to do with my destination. For example, I’m traveling to Italy this summer, so I’m creating a playlist with lots of Italian songs and songs that remind me of Italy. After that, I’m spending a month in Charleston, SC, so I’ll create a playlist with lots of summer and beach songs. Your playlist doesn’t have to be themed though. As long as the songs make you smile, then they’ve served their purpose!
