How to Survive a Long Haul Flight in Coach

If I flew First Class, I wouldn't be writing this post... because it's amazing up there.

But since I'm a normal person, just praying I don't have to sit by the bathroom, let's talk about the best way to endure a long haul flight in coach.

I haven't taken a transatlantic flight in a couple of years, but I've done a lot of East Coast-->West Coast. Lengthy flights to California, Mexico, and Washington take mental & physical preparation - that's for sure. These are all 4-7 hr flights depending where your connection is. With our upcoming trip to Italy (!!!), I really thought through what I do differently to prepare for these longer flights, compared to a quick 1-2hr jump to NYC or Chicago. Here's how to survive a long haul flight when you're not being served champagne.

Stay Entertained

Be realistic, but prepare content (video, music, reading material) for your entire flight. If you bring a book, make sure it's a brand new one. You don't want to run out of reading material half way through your flight (trust me)! If you're downloading movies onto a laptop or tablet, consider a secondary battery or charger. I purchased this one on Amazon & it recharges my phone twice or my iPad once. That sets me up for binge watching episodes of New Girl I downloaded or reading my eBook. And don't forget your headphones!
Pro tip: Download new content the night before you leave and put your laptop or tablet on the charger.

Stay Hydrated

The day before your flight, start chugging water. There's nothing worse than getting on a plane and feeling parched. In the same mindset, limit caffiene 24 hours before your flight if you can (it's so hard). It's of course always important to drink lots of water, but stepping up your H2O game before/during/after travel is crutial. I use my Vapur water bottle to continuously fill up without buying a $3 bottle on every layover.

Pick Good Seats (& learn about your perks!)

This might seem obvious, but all economy seats are not created equal. You've got your preference, windor or aisle (real quick: is anyone a 'middle seat person' by choice?) - then take a look at SeatGuru.com. You'll plug in some information (like your flight number or what route you're taking with which airline) and out comes a diagram of your flight, pictures provided by other passengers, tips on the good & bad seats, as well as awesome information about your plane; like if it has outlets, entertainment, free food/food for purchase, wifi, etc. It's better to know in advance if you're getting in a TV-less, outlet-less, steel trap for 12 hours.

Pack for Comfort

Wearing comfortable clothes, like soft shirts & stretchy fabrics, will help you get cozy. I also typically carry on a scarf to use as an extra blanket & I've recently realized that NOT bringing a pair of socks is a huge mistake when you sit by the window! I also have my favorite pillow & eyemask to hopefully catch a nap...!

Remember, It's Gonna Be A Long Flight

... there's no reason to be uncomfortable the whole time. Think about the things you typically do in 4 hours time: have a snack, apply chapstick, chew gum, etc. Prepare for these little habits with an "in flight kit". This is mine. 

Socks, Pillow, eye mask & ear plugs, Spare headphones, Gum, Concealer, Lotion Stick, Chapstick, Headband/hair tie, 

Oil blotting sheets, Ginger Tea, Emergen-C, Hand sanitizer, Anti-bacterial wipes, Tissues and, Sudafed.

I'll add a small bag of almonds & a granola bar or two in before I leave (because airplane food is the worst). They're all compact, so I keep them in an extra small packing cube, which stays flat and slips right into my bag. Plus, these are things I'll end up using once I arrive at my destination anyway. Win-win.

This will have to do until I'm a high roller who lives in First Class. Fingers crossed for a free anniversary upgrade!!!

What do you do to prepare for a lengthy flight? Any pre-flight rituals or stretches I need to know about?

xo

Other post you might enjoy:
How to Pack Light & Always Carry On
How to Travel for FREE

Dear Southwest - Why Can't I Find Your Mobile Boarding Pass?

Dear Southwest,

You pride yourself on being a "green" airline with your numerous Environmental Initiatives - and I appreciate them greatly! I respect that you separate your recycling from garbage in flight, adding winglets to help with fuel economy, etc. HOWEVER - I think you're missing a major opportunity in the vein of being green.

When I used your app for online check in last week, I was certain my request wasn't processing - why wasn't it showing me a mobile boarding pass? (After all, that's why I love Passbook!)

After a few tries, I hopped on my laptop with the same result. I couldn't find ANY way to retrieve a boarding pass without printing it at home or in the airport. According to your FAQ's, you offer them. But I couldn't receive a mobile boarding pass despite my best efforts. On top of this, apparently you haven't updated your app to work with Passbook (you say it will be texted or emailed - but this never happened). This means every passenger with Southwest is printing a boarding pass at home, work or airport kiosk. Let's check some numbers.

According to your website, the following averages exist:

• 3,600 flights daily
• 138 seats per flight
• 21.1 Million flights have been booked in the last 12 months

Based on these numbers, you have the capacity of 496,800 passengers per day if all seats are full. Even if it's only an average of 75% full (just for arguments sake... but I haven't been on a plane less than 90% full in the last 5 years), it's approximately 372,600 passengers. 

That means between 1.36 and 1.81 MILLION flights are taken per year on your airline alone.... and every single passenger is printing at least one piece of paper per flight. And that's just in one year.

Why isn't this option being pushed? Why is it like pulling teeth? For someone like myself who is interested in the option, it shouldn't have been so impossible to accomplish. 

A few easy ways to get people to use your mobile boarding pass option:

• Reminder in their "Your Flight is Around the Corner!" email
• Emails are sent automatically
• Prompting them via online check in
• This never happened during my check in. Why not?
• Airport kiosk staff suggesting it to passengers 
• Would help decrease the line for passengers w/carry on bags, would speed up check in time for others

These options cost you nothing once the app is modified. It will save you money and help our environment. 

Come on, guys. It's 2014. And if "being green" is as important to you as I think it is, save the trees! Make it obvious for those who will use it! Let's fast track this party so we can keep our boarding passes in Passbook. 

What do you think? Do you use mobile boarding passes or Passbook?

xo

The DOs & DON'Ts of Airport Security

Without fail, there's always someone getting their bag ripped apart at airport security. I feel bad for them when TSA throws their possessions in the garbage can.

To be fair, the rules (other than no liquids over 3.4oz) are pretty unclear & don't seem to make much sense. Here are some items to remember and some to leave behind.

AT HOME

• Make sure you've eliminated anything that might seem questionable. If it can't fit in a carry on frame, leave it at home. Use common sense, things like knives & explosives have no place on an airplane. Think smaller: metal nail files aren't necessarily prohibited anymore, but could potentially be confiscated. Eliminate the drama and just pack a cardboard file. Also leave scissors at home. 

• If it pours out, it needs to be under 3.4oz. Keep it all in a plastic bag. This helps you pull it out easily AND keeps spills from happening. The only exception is baby formula or breast milk and medication. Present these things to a TSA agent before putting them through the scanner. I use this reusable water bottle so I don't have to pay $3 for a drink in the airport. Feel free to pack a snack - it's definitely allowed as long as it's a solid snack. Think fruit, almonds, granola bars, and so on.

Pack smart at home and your check in will be quick & painless.

AT THE AIRPORT

• Have your ID and ticket ready to go. (I use Passbook instead of a paper ticket!) If you're using your passport instead of driver's license, make sure you remove it from any case or cover. Once the TSA agent checks your ID and ticket, PUT THEM AWAY. You won't need it again until you are boarding the airplane.

• Get in line for the scanners and start to strip. Shoes & outer layer (jacket, scarf, vest, etc) need to be removed. Leave socks & jewelry on. Take everything out of your pockets. Phone, keys, gum, receipts, tickets, ID, EVERYTHING. It needs to go through the scanner and away from you.

• Take your laptop & liquids out of your bag and put them in a bin. All other electronics can stay in your suitcase, so can your snacks.

That's it! You're through! Go enjoy that flight.

If you aren't sure if an item can be carried on, use this tool from the TSA Website to double check. It's very comprehensive! 

Have you ever thrown anything away at airport security? Did you know you could bring snacks?! 

xo