The 5 secret tips from a frequent flyer
I can now give myself that title. After countless flights for work and personal reasons, I've become quite adept at making it as comfortable as possible for myself.
When I took my first twelve-hour flight, I was seated between a man who smelled like a kilo of garlic and a rather large woman. After six hours of flying, I wanted to exit the plane via the emergency exit. A bloated feeling in your stomach, skin like a plum, bags under your eyes like a raccoon, and numb feet are all the perils of flying.
Here are my tips & tricks for a more pleasant journey:
Choose your seat
Everyone has a preference for a spot on the plane. I like to sit by the window, preferably as far forward as possible. That way, all the noise and commotion is behind you, and the air is cleaner at the front. If possible, I book an economy plus seat for a long journey. The extra you pay there pays off for your knees on the way back. If you're flying with two, book one seat by the window and the other by the aisle. There's a good chance the seat between you will remain free, as solo travelers don't like to sit in the middle, and otherwise, you can swap on the spot.
Choose your meal
Airplane meals are often buried under heavy sauces, full of calories, sodium, saturated fat, and they are often very salty. So, you don't get a belly for nothing, as if you're five months pregnant. Politely decline the tray and bring your own food. A salad, fruit, raw carrots, and nuts provide energy and are easy to digest. I also bring lemons that I squeeze into water and drink throughout the journey. The latter is a boost for your immune system and is refreshingly nice. I also bring tea bags because tea from a pot that looks like coffee and tastes like it is unbearable. Don't use the tray table, as it's full of bacteria, and research shows that tray tables are dirtier than toilets. So, enjoy that salad on your lap.
Choose your luggage
Invest in good suitcases, by which I mean a suitcase with four wheels and a nice handle. Choose one large suitcase and one carry-on. You can always take such a carry-on as hand luggage, plus another accessory and even a small handbag. I always bring a carry-on alongside my checked luggage; it sometimes contains items that made my checked luggage too heavy, but also my makeup, liquids, something to read, and a noise-canceling headphone (great for shutting yourself off during a flight, as you can also use it to sleep without music or a movie playing). With that carry-on, you drag a lot less through the airport, and your arm won't fall off. I put my food in a cotton bag and my passport and money in my handbag; I keep that close to my body. The fanny pack is great for this. Get a luggage scale, available at Hema, so you never have to look at the flight attendant with a painful expression when you put your luggage on the belt. when you put your luggage on the belt.
Choose your outfit
There's nothing worse than getting on a plane in tight jeans and a cutting bra. Make sure you wear comfortable soft pants – it's great that the sporty trend is still hot, so there's a wide choice of stylish joggers. Wear a T-shirt and bring a loose sweater. There are so many temperature fluctuations while traveling; you can be sweating while carrying your bags and then later sit shivering like a rabbit in the aisle. Wear a bra that fits well (for me, those are the wireless bras from Love Stories): it feels much nicer when you wear it for so long. I also always bring an extra pair of socks; running around an airport can quickly lead to clammy feet, so it's lovely to sit in the plane with clean ‘fresh’ socks.
Choose your liquids:
There's nothing worse than checked luggage that doesn't arrive immediately, so put your most important makeup items in your carry-on. A makeup fix at the end of a long flight is nice to do anyway. It tempers your scruffy look; if you look good, you feel good, and it kills some of the long time. In a transparent plastic bag, available among others at H&M, put all your liquids; this way, you can see what you have with you and avoid hassle at customs. I always make sure to have:
- Hair perfume, great for refreshing yourself or if someone next to you smells bad. My favorite is Bal d’Afrique by Byredo.
- Hand sanitizer, the one from Purell is very good.
- Hydrating spray, lovely for refreshing your face and arms. My favorite is Immediate Moisture Facial Hydrosol by Aesop. You smell like roses again in a few sprays, literally.
- Lip balm, preferably one that you can also use for dry spots like Rosebud Salve by Smith’s.
- Mini toothpaste, you feel reborn after a quick brush.
Safe travels!
