Forget about what to wear when travelling through the airport. According to a flight attendant, what you’ll really need is what you have packed inside your carry-on luggage. There are many quick and easy ways to make your long flight more comfortable and bearable.
Flying may sound like an easy task — all you have to do is sit down, put on your seat belt, and wait until arrival. However, reality is that the air in the overhead cabin can dry your skin out, the temperature can suddenly change during flight, have unexpected delays, develop random discomforts while flying and you’re probably going to realize that you didn’t pack very well.
Karen Young is a flight attendant who stays organized and knows what are essential items that you, as a passenger, should always have in your carry-on bags (never in checked luggage) since you cannot turn back and pick up anything you forgot while airborne.
The first essential item would be for your skin, to keep it hydrated during your flight. The air in the aircraft’s cabin is extremely dry; therefore, a facial mist is an ideal way to quickly and easily refresh your face and eliminate the tightness and discomfort associated with dehydration. You will not disturb anyone near you while using this product.
The second essential item would be eye drops. Travelling on long flights, in conjunction with the constant movement of air in the aircraft, will most likely cause you to have dry and/or irritated eyes; carrying eye drops makes a tremendous difference for you as a passenger, especially when flying overnight.
Next is hand lotion.
Your hands become very dry in the air. A great tip is to avoid scented lotion so you do not create a scent burden for those near you.
Many people underestimate the impact of temperature too.
Airplanes can get quite cool. A light travel blanket can be helpful as it also converts to a pillow.
If blankets are bulky, consider bringing a zip-up jacket; it will be simple to take off when you are too hot, and easy to put back on when you become cold.
Leggings are strongly recommended instead of tight jeans; when you sit for long periods of time, it helps to have stretchy fabric for comfort and circulation.
Slip-on shoes are another great option; they are much easier for airport security and have more room when your feet get swollen during flight.
Entertainment and rest are important as well.
A good pair of headphones makes it easier to enjoy music, movies, and/or podcasts without having to compete against the noise in the cabin. Also, using ear plugs can really help drown out the crying baby, sounds from engines, talking neighbors, and other distracting noises — especially on red-eye flights.
Finally, wearing a sleep mask is important for your travel experience. Cabin lighting and glare can hinder your ability to fall asleep, so a basic sleep mask creates instant darkness and assistance with proper rest.
While many airlines carry some of these items, it would be unwise to rely solely upon the airline for your needs. Being equipped gives one control over one’s comfort.
Prior to flying, one must not only think of where they are headed — but also of how many hours they will be in the air. Proper packing of a carry-on bag has little added benefit — it’s the only way to survive correctly.
