Just get a few things right
I’ve talked about flying a few times on the blog, mainly in the context of using air miles and taking emergency flights.
My personal preference is to use air miles to fly business class for less than the price of economy. Another option is to use air miles to travel for free.
However you choose to fly, there are a few things you can do to transform the flying experience and make it much more pleasant.
The tips today are for medium- to long-distance flights, ie ones where you might want to sleep. For shorter flights it’s probably not worth bothering with them 🙂
Surprisingly, one of the best things you can do is to get changed just before or just after you get on the plane.
I discovered just how much difference this makes a few years ago, when I took a special trip with my wife and we flew in JAL first class to New York. When we got to our seats we found JAL pajamas there (basically a very soft tracksuit). The other passengers got changed immediately, so we did the same.
I’m sure the service, the huge beds, the food and drink, and the peace and quiet helped, but that was one of the most pleasant flights I have ever had.
The next time I flew was in economy, but I took along my pajamas and got changed while people were boarding.
And found that the flight was much more pleasant, relaxing, and comfortable. Just before landing I changed back into my street clothes and was ready to hit the ground running.
Now I don’t think you need the magical first class pajamas. The key points are soft, comfortable, loose-fitting clothes that you change into. It could just as easily be an old t-shirt and some tracksuit bottoms. But the act of getting changed into something relaxing really helps switch your brain into relaxing mode.
The second thing that makes a huge difference is noise-cancelling headphones. I got a pair of Bose headphones a few years ago and was blown away with how much difference they make. You have no idea how loud the cabin is until you put on noise-cancelling headphones and the engine roar goes away. A nice bonus is that they also make it much easier to watch films or listen to music.
Noise-cancelling headphones work best on constant background noise, but they take the edge off other noises too -like people talking or children crying.
Last year I got the newest model of Bose headphones -the wireless QC-35. Just as good as my old ones, but more versatile as I can listen my phone on them wirelessly.
Decent headphones are expensive, but if you take long flights more than once or twice a year they are well worth considering. Bose are probably still the best, but other makers are pretty good too so it might be worth shopping around a bit.
My final tip is a bit obvious, but also makes a difference. Putting together your own in-flight kit, including necessary items, snacks, water, and entertainment also helps. You never know what the airline is going to provide in terms of food, (I was unpleasantly surprised on late-night flights out of Haneda to Bangkok that they don’t provide food and expect everyone just to go to sleep), entertainment (monitors break down sometimes), etc.
So there you have it, three ways to make long-distance flying a much more pleasant experience.
How about you? Do you use any of these? Any other tips?
I just got a new set of huge earmuff headphones specifically because of the passive noise cancellation. Significantly cheaper than the Bose, but a big upgrade from the throwaway ones I’d been using. I love them for work, but also looking forward to testing them out on my next flight.
I now insist on wearing flip-flops or sandals on flights, even if it’s the middle of winter. Much less hassle when going through security for one (thanks shoe bomber guy), but also feels great to slip out of shoes and be barefoot in the cabin. That fits with your observations about changing clothes — maybe I’ll try that next time.
Yeah, I always take my shoes off when I’m at my seat. I usually change my socks, too. Fresh socks make a huge difference to comfort!
I swear by the Bose active noise cancelling headphones, especially when my work requires me to zip across Asia on long haul flights very frequently.
Even on late night flights, just having them practically cancels out almost all background noise, and makes sleep that much sweeter and pleasant.
Probably will try out the loose fitting clothes tip next time to see how effective it is =)
For long flights to different time zones- melatonin is all you need.
They’re natural sleeping pills (my understanding is that melatonin is the chemical your brain releases when sleepy). Taking one or two will put you out for the flight but let you wake up pretty fresh at the end. They’re also very useful for sleeping on time to adjust to your destination timezone.
Very expensive in Japan, but you can get 50+ pills for under $10 at any pharmacy in the US and many other countries.
Someday I will fly first class…
In addition to noise cancelling headphones or ear plugs, I always bring an eye mask because they turn on the lights to feed you at absurd times which wakes me up. Also, I recommend a neck pillow or even just an extra blanket to wrap around your shoulders and neck for support and warmth. These techniques really help with sleep.
Certain credit cards also get you free lounge access which can be a good way to freshen up before a flight or on layovers.
Save up (or buy) a reasonable number of air miles, and it’s pretty cheap 🙂
Can’t believe I didn’t mention the eye mask thing -essential.
Arrival lounge access for a quick shower coming off the plane is priceless!
I can second those Bose headphones. My wife bought me some for my birthday this year. It was just before our trip to New Zealand for our wedding ceremony too, so I used them on the flight. Such a difference. I could actually hear the audio on the movies clearly without having to crank the volume. When I wasn’t watching anything, I just kept them on. Not having the constant thrum of the engines in your head all the time was bliss.
Also, it’s not exactly a money saving tip for flying, well it almost is, but, if you don’t want to fork out for a business class ticket and you don’t have the miles to upgrade, I’d seriously recommend using premium economy if it’s a long distance flight. A lot of airlines’ premium economy services, like Air New Zealand’s for example, actually give you full business class service and priority minus the actual business class sea iselft. The seat on Air NZ though was pretty damn big and comfy anyway. You’re in your own little section of the plane too which makes using the toilets much easier. Minus that one time I got upgraded to business class on a whim 20 years ago, it was the first flight where I actually felt really comfortable and was enjoying a 10 hour flight. My wife and I were lucky in that our tickets that time were a wedding present from her parents, but for my trip home to NZ this xmas, I decided to pay a little bit more than the already exorbitant economy class price and just go for the premium economy again. Being able to rest and get a few hours sleep is worth paying for imo. You can earn a ton of air miles on those fairs too, which is another bonus. Not all airlines might be as good, but I can confirm that Air NZ at least give you the same service as business class for about 40-50% less in price.
I love Air NZ premium economy! The cabin staff had this great old-school butler vibe, and the food was decent 😀