How To Fly Like A Seasoned Pro
The tips and tricks you'll need to make flying more bearable.
By Gerald Tan
We all love our holidays. But the flying? Well, maybe not so much — especially when it's long-haul. Unless you're prepared to pay more for a premium ride to your destination, chances are, you'll be stuck on a cramped seat for hours with nowhere else to go.
But that's not to say you can't travel in comfort and arrive at your destination in style. After all, there are no shortage of tricks to help you ease the pain of flying. All it takes is some clever planning and preparation, plus a little trial and error to figure out what routines work best for you onboard. If you're thinking of travelling smarter, here are some tried-and-tested strategies you can adopt on your next flight out. Bon Voyage!
It all begins before the flight
Allowing yourself ample time to get to the airport lets you cope with unexpected situations better. Traffic congestion; long lines at the check-in counters; the ever-ending wait at customs... these are the last things you'd want to deal with when you're in a frantic rush to get to your plane. Panting and sweating because you had to sprint hundreds of metres to the gate? Not the best way to start any holiday, if you ask us.
Research, research, research
If you thought all plane seats are the same, well, think again. An airline's fleet consists of various types of planes and depending on where you're flying to, a specific aircraft may be deployed to service the route. This means that seat configurations inside the planes may differ, too.
Get a heads up with SeatGuru, a popular resource among frequent fliers who're picky about where they're seated. It's as simple as typing in your flight number and the date of departure—SeatGuru then pulls out a comprehensive seat map from its database that details all the best seats to go for... and the ones to avoid at all cost. Smart travellers know that bulkhead seats (the row directly behind wall that divides the cabin) and exit row seats are most preferred because they offer plenty of legroom. A caveat: Airlines usually charge an additional fee for them.
Opt for a special meal
Your food won't be presented on fancy tableware—but you'll be among the first to be served, that's for sure. You'll avoid the wait and be able to finish your food way before everyone else does, which opens up a period of time for you to head to the toilet to freshen up... without having to worry about the long queue possibly forming outside the door. Plus, you get to choose from a variety of meal options, from seafood-only dishes to low-calorie fare. These are available to you once you've bought your ticket. You'll just have to select your preferred choice online at least 24 hours before the flight.
Keep a survival kit close at hand
Sure, a travel pillow, an eye mask and ear plugs will help you sleep better on flights. However, we're talking actual self-care products stored in a handy pouch that'll stave off the effects of flying. Think: Moisturisers and hydrating sheet masks to keep your skin adequately nourished (pressurised cabin air is notorious for being dry). Or a travel-sized perfume that you can spritz on before you step off the plane. After all, who wants to smell like they've been stuck in a giant flying aluminium tube with hundreds of people.
Another important tip: Make wet and/or disinfecting wipes your best friend. On a long-haul flight, giving your body a thorough wipe-down before landing is a pick-me-up that's as close as you can get to a shower. Which brings us to our next point...
For the sake of hygiene, start wiping
If Naomi Campbell can do it, so can you. Enough said.
Bring a set of pyjamas onboard
Before you scoff at the idea, consider this scenario: You've just gotten off a terrible red-eye flight, your hotel won't let you check in just yet, and you're stuck in the clothes you've worn for the past 15 hours (or so). One camp of travellers will espouse the benefits of packing an extra set of clothes, but we say it's as easy as changing into some sleeping gear (track pants, an oversized t-shirt.. whatever works for you) before you settle in nicely onboard. Not only are you more comfortable, you won't have to worry about any unpleasant odours on your clothes when you disembark.