Travel Tips

Eight Ways to Make Your Flight More Enjoyable

Locations in this article:  Los Angeles, CA Mumbai, India

plane windowLong flights can be difficult for everyone—even seasoned travelers. Contributing writer Margaret Magnus knows firsthand—she’s been flying from Los Angeles to Mumbai about once a year for the past 23 years. Keep reading to find out her secrets for making your flight more enjoyable. 

When we fly from Los Angeles to Mumbai, we have almost 22 hours of actual flying time. That’s too many hours sitting on an airplane, but there’s no faster way to get there.

It might not feel as long when flying first or business class—but that’s just not in our budget. Instead, we have an opportunity to relax and make the flight an enjoyable part of the journey. Here are eight ways to make your flight more enjoyable:

1. Attitude

In previous years, I have anticipated this flight with dread. This time, my wellness coach Erin Sommerville suggested that I re-frame my attitude.

To create a positive mindset, I started to think about that time as all mine. No interruptions. No distractions. No chores. I could just do what I wanted (within reason). That’s when I started to think about what would actually make the flight more enjoyable, and that helped change my attitude.

2. A Good Book

I can get lost in a good book, and the time just zips by. After lugging a number of books on my last trip this spring, I became an e-reader convert. An e-reader makes it possible to carry along a number of books on a variety of topics so you don’t run short of reading material.

For this trip, I downloaded the The Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon. In flight, I have the opportunity to curl up and immerse myself in the characters and plot. For a change of pace, I also took along Ann Panchett’s collection of essays, This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage.

If I’m traveling to a new destination, I often read books—both fiction and non-fiction—related to that destination.

3. In-Flight Entertainment

In-flight entertainment can be hit or miss. If I’ve seen all the popular movies from the past six months or so, I will have seen much of what is available. That’s when I look for the interesting foreign films and documentaries that don’t make it to my local movie complex.

Plus, there are selected episodes from popular television series. I discovered The Big Bang Theory watching episodes on an international flight.

Also, I create my own music playlist. This really works on the longer flights. I select songs and artists that appeal to me. Then, when I want to just sit back and close my eyes, I put on the playlist.

The games provided on my last flight did not really appeal to me. To play games, I’ll probably need to bring my own on an electronic device. As yet, however, I’m not keen to lug around a laptop or tablet on my travels. That may change as I watch the people around me use their laptops to play games and watch movies of their own choice.

4. Food

I just don’t care much for airline food. Think about it—the airport factory kitchens are creating thousands of meals at any one time. Then the food is loaded and stored on the airplane for hours before the flight attendants re-heat and serve. How could anything taste good?

Plus, during the 22 hours of flight, I want to eat when I want, and sleep when I want. So, I take enough snacks (nuts, dried fruits, energy bars, etc.) or buy fresh food in the airport to last the entire flight. I’m not at the mercy of the food or timing of the airlines, and my food is often healthier.

However, if something looks tasty on the flight menu, I can save my snacks for later in the trip.

5. Travel Gear

In my carry-on daypack are the items that enhance my comfort in flight.

The inflatable foot rest is indispensable for those of us whose feet don’t touch the floor easily. The foot rest elevates my legs and makes the entire flight more comfortable.

After I wrote a previous article on travel gear must-haves, a colleague of mine said she never traveled without noise canceling headphones. There are a number of sources to evaluate headphones: Consumer Reports, CNET, and PC. I just took my friend’s recommendation. They really do make the flight more enjoyable.

It can get chilly on an airplane, and I don’t really want to use the airline’s blanket up close to my face. So I bring my fluffy fleece, shawl, sweater, or other soft and warm item to take the chill off. Others take their own travel blanket. I also wear or bring an extra pair of thick socks to keep my feet warm when I take off my shoes.

There’s always an inflatable neck rest—I find it still works best for me. Then, I use the airline’s pillow for lumbar support (but you can also travel with one) or to cushion the armrest.

Eye shades help me block out everything else and sink into my own little world so I can rest, listen to music, or sleep. Also, I’m not generally interrupted for meal service (in which case, I’d rather sleep).

Given the amount of time spent in my airline seat, I use sanitizing hand wipes to clean my surroundings including the tray, screen, handset, seat belt, armrest, headrest, and any other surface. It makes me feel more relaxed and comfortable. I also carry extra hand wipes to use before the meal is served or eating my snack.

6. Travel Vest

Wearing a travel vest has made my life easier and more organized in general. When seated on the airline, I have everything easily accessible in the vest: phone, e-reader, eye glasses, moisturizer and lip balm, hand wipes, notepad and pen, and my boarding pass.

7. Movement & Drinking Water

Then there are the recommended activities of healthy airline travel, including walking around frequently. Yes, the aisles are incredibly narrow and crowded, but walking at regular intervals does help. It also helps to book an aisle seat if at all possible. When my husband and I travel, we often get aisle seats across from each other, which makes us more mobile.

Also, when have to wait several hours between connecting flights, we stroll through the airport lounge multiple times. We always take the stairs, and generally do as much physical movement as feasible.

Drink water. It’s a good excuse to get up and walk around. Fortunately, my husband continually urges me to do this.

8. A Good Traveling Companion

My husband and I don’t talk much on the airplane. But it’s nice to have him there to share the journey.

For more travel tips from Margaret Magnus, check out:

By Margaret Magnus for PeterGreenberg.com. Margaret Magnus has been traveling internationally since the early 1970s and has been to 24 countries. Her last trip was to the Czech Republic, Hungary, Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro and Croatia, and it didn’t involve a cruise.