We’ve all been on those crazy plane rides where the baby is screaming, your neighbor is chatting, and the person behind you insists on pushing on your seat. As a cruel cosmic joke, these flights are always seem to be six hours long, without the layovers. So, what do you do when you are on the plane ride from hell? You take advice from the international travelers at ComFi, of course!
Speak Up!
Don’t be afraid to turn around to that obnoxious seat-kicker and letting him know just how annoying he is being. There is nothing wrong with politely reminding him that it is, in fact the back of another chair in front of him, and not just a short wall to house his tv screen.
There is also the question of the person in front of you leaning their chair back all the way it allows, practically laying horizontally on top of you. Do not feel rude by asking him to lift his chair a bit; he should have the tact to understand that his comfort may come at a cost to others’. If he refuses to lift his seat, then slightly lower yours back to make up for lost room, enough not to extend the same (un)curtesy to the person behind you).
Opt for Magazines over Books
It is typical to see people reading on planes, and many people bring novels with them. However, spending nearly six hours reading the same novel is not always doable. It may seem like a good way to pass the time, but in reality, it can get tiresome. People are not programmed to be able to focus on one subject for a particular long period of time. This is why most school subjects tend to be only 45 minutes to an hour.
Instead, bring two or three magazines which deal with different subjects. For example, one can be on politics and current events, one can be about celebrity gossip, one about scientific discoveries, etc. You won’t get bored by having a variety of subjects to switch amongst. You will hopefully find that you are so lost in the perusal of the magazines that hours have passed without your realization.
Skip the Alcohol
On most transatlantic flights, alcoholic beverages are free, even in economy seats. Having a glass of wine might seem like a good idea in the beginning; you want to take the edge off. However, alcohol dehydrates your body, and the high altitude of the plane already irritates your body. You may find that you develop a headache even faster by drinking alcohol on a plane.
Opt for typical (yes, we know, boring!) water. This is your best bet to stay relaxed in the long run because it will keep you hydrated and therefore clear your head.
Bring Head Phones, Skip the Music
You may spend a little while listening to your iPod on the plane, and that is fine. However, think about how much time you are actually spending- you cannot listen to music for over six hours, especially if it is pressed so close to your inner ear. This is a sure way to get a headache and become irritated on the flight.
Headphones are a great way to block out the sound of the plan around you, however. Keep them in silent, and you will muffle the horrible baby screams happening to your left. Or invest in true, sound-blocking headphones that will emit wavelengths that battle those coming in. In effect, you hear…. silence.
