THREE of the biggest mistakes you can make when getting on a long flight have been revealed.
There’s nothing quite like a good holiday in a far away place, but getting there can sometimes be such an ordeal it ruins the first day of your getaway.
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A flight to Los Angeles can take upwards of 11 hours, which is certainly a long time to be stuck in the same seat.
But that’s peanuts compared to a trip to Sydney, Australia, which can take more than 21 hours, with one stop along the way.
While you may be looking forward to spending some time relaxing on the country’s sunny shores, you don’t want to be touching down in a foul mood, exhausted, starving, and desperately needing a long sleep at 11am local time.
Here, we reveal the three top tips to making sure that long flight is as enjoyable as it possibly can be.
Entertainment
Let’s face it, flying can be pretty tedious.
Casey Brogan, consumer travel expert at Tripadvisor, told HuffPost not having enough entertainment was a big mistake.
She said: “Before your flight, download movies, music or podcasts to your devices like phone, iPad or laptop and ensure they are fully charged before traveling so you have guaranteed entertainment options.
“On a recent flight, my in-flight entertainment was not working properly, so I was glad to have downloaded movies to my iPad as a backup for the hours in the air.”
Ms Brogan said that books and crossword puzzles were also good options to bring.
Food
You don’t want to be at the mercy of the airline when it comes to food.
Bringing your own snacks can ensure you can choose not just what you eat, but when you eat.
Co-founder of The Vacationer, Phil Dengler, said: “I always bring my own snacks on long-haul flights, and I have never regretted it.
“Food options can be limited, so this guarantees I will be able to eat what I want and when I want.”
Seats
Spending upwards of 10 hours stuck between two strangers is very few people’s idea of a good time.
Many airlines do not charge fees for seats in economy class, but a few extra pounds spent to fly in economy plus or comfort plus could be worth it to get extra space.
Those planning to sleep on the flight may wish to choose a window seat, so as not to be limited to being sat upright.
Legroom enthusiasts should consider getting the exit row seat.
Vice president at Kayak North America, Paul Jacobs, said: “Window or aisle ― you really need to decide what is more important to you.
“You can lean on the window ― or have the freedom of getting up and stretching whenever you feel like it. I prefer the aisle any day.”
