Hey, readers!
So, if you’ve been keeping up with the blog, you’ve seen that we’ve included a fashion guide for each of our 2015 trips and a complete packing list that applies to all of our trips. Now you’ll need to know what to pack in your carry on — everything you’ll need for your flight!
If you read my Introduction, you are aware that I also keep a personal blog. Before my trip to Cape Town, I wrote a post of everything I’d be bringing with me on my flight, and I’d like to share that with you! Here it is…
How to Survive a Long Flight: The Ultimate Checklist
Being on an airplane can be uncomfortable, boring, annoying, and even nauseating. Here are some things that I like to bring with me when I fly to make my experience the best it can be:
1. Awesome Headphones
I would not survive my flights without my Beats by Dre! I have the red Studio headphones, pictured above. They are noise canceling, so I can’t hear the loud sounds that the plane makes, people talking around me, or babies crying. The quality of my music is so clear and loud, too. I feel like I’m in another world. These are so much better than your Apple earbuds. Always update your iPod before a flight…if you don’t like the music you have, you won’t be able to do anything about it when you’re already on the plane!
2. Evian Spray
If you’ve noticed, the dry air on a plane is not particularly good for your skin. Freshen up and moisturize during a flight with this Evian mineral water moisturizing spray. It will keep your face fresh and dewy and leave you feeling rejuvenated and clean. It can also double as a makeup-setting spray, so even if you’re wearing makeup, you can use a few spritzes to keep it looking fresh. You can purchase a to-go size duo pack from Sephora for an inexpensive cost. MUST BUY! Also bring a hand lotion and a good lip balm to keep the rest of your skin from being affected from the dry air…I love Burt’s Bees!
3. Eye Drops and Nasal Spray
In addition to the Evian spray, hand lotion, and lip balm I mentioned above, bring some good eyedrops and nasal gel to ensure that the dry air won’t affect your eyes and nose. Regular Visine will do, and a good nasal gel that’s created for travelers is Ayr Saline Nasal Gel. It will help your breathing on the airplane.
4. Wet-Ones
Think about all of the germs that you have encountered in that airport…and the germs on your seatbelt…and the germs on your arm rest…and the germs on your window...Bring travel-sized wet-ones and hand sanitizer to wipe down and keep your environment as clean as possible.
5. A Great Neck Pillow
Nothing like the dead arm from sleeping in your palm, or a knotted neck from sleeping on your shoulder. Brookstone has a fantastic neck pillow that is perfect for sleeping on an airplane. Stay comfy and get yourself one of these!!
6. A Warm Blanket
Unless the blanket you are given on an airplane is wrapped in plastic, don’t use it! What a germ-spreader. Even still, it’s probably not warm or soft. Bring a great blanket with you that won’t be a pain to fit into your carry-on.
7. A Good Pair of Socks
Who wants to have cold feet on an airplane? Bring a pair of great socks that will keep your toes warm. Sometimes the plane gets really cold. I like to wear tennis shoes when I travel because I feel like they’re my “go” shoes. Some people prefer flip-flops. To each her own. I also travel in layers…so I wear a T-shirt and shorts with a sweatshirt and sweatpants overtop…that way I can be comfortable with any temperature on the plane. I’ve never been one of those “dress up for the airport” people, but if you are, make sure you’re comfortable!
8. Books and Magazines
If your flight is really long, now’s the perfect time to catch up on some reading! You could even finish a whole book! I prefer to hold a tangible book in my hands, but if you’re a Kindle reader, make sure you stock up on some good reads before your trip. Eat Pray Love is one of my all-time favorites and will get you really excited about traveling. A must-read. Or, bring a non-fiction book about the place you are traveling to. Also, bring some magazines. You might get sick of your book or want to take a break from it. Bring several current magazines that you haven’t read yet.
9. Some Good Movies
Sometimes the movies on the plane just aren’t what you want to watch. Bring your own DVDs to put into your laptop, or download some good ones on your iPod/iPad before the trip. You’ll want to switch activities depending on how long your flight is…reading the same book or solving the same crossword puzzle can get old.
10. A Sturdy, Organized Carry-On
With all of the things you’ll want to bring in your carry-on, make sure it’s a good one. It should be sturdy, comfortable to carry, organized, and roomy…having a place for all of your stuff.
11. A Notepad and Pens
Ever wanted to write something down while on a plane but couldn’t find a piece of paper? The worst! Bring a small note-pad and several pens…you don’t want your ink to run out! Also bring some sodoku books or crossword puzzles to solve…good little brain teasers…why not?
12. Snacks and Gum
Gum is a necessity on an airplane because it can help your popping ears! It also freshens your breath, which is nice when you feel disgusting and have to wait a while until you can brush your teeth. Bring a big bottle of water (even though they will provide you with drinks on the plane…sometimes they just take a while to fill up your cup) and some yummy snacks. Sometimes the food on the plane can be less than appetizing. Be prepared.
13. Medicine
If you get a headache, you’ll want Advil right away. Bring some with you. Also bring Airborne…it can help you from getting sick on the plane. Melatonin wouldn’t hurt either…just saying.
14. A Pencil Case for Flight Information
Keeping all of your flight information together and organized is important…your tickets, your boarding passes, your passport, your itinerary…etc. Keep it all in a pencil case so that it’s easy to reach!
15. Tissues
Nothing like having to blow your nose over and over again with that one drink napkin they gave you. Bring a travel-size tissue pack or two, just in case.
16. A Toiletry Bag
When you finally get a layover or reach your destination, you’ll want to be able to go to the bathroom pronto and freshen up, without having to dig through your purse to find everything you need. Make a small toiletry bag filled with travel-sized toothpaste, deodorant, a toothbrush, mouthwash, facial wipes, and even a washcloth to make freshening up quick and easy.
17. A Good Eye Mask
Find a good eye mask that will block out light! Sleeping on a plane can be tough with reading lights, iPad lights, etc. Get yourself a good one so that you can actually rest. I found mine at Target, pictured above. It’s awesome.
18. Chargers
Nothing like scrambling around the airport trying to find an available outlet for all of your electronics! Here’s something to make it easier…bring this multiple outlet charger from Amazon with you. And of course…don’t forget all of your plugs!
A few other things to note about the flight …
-You are going to get swollen ankles because of the elevation and the lack of circulation. There are a couple things that you can/should do to prevent/fix this. Make sure you’re getting up and walking around as much as possible to get your blood flowing, and drink WATER. Stay hydrated by bringing a bottle of water with you and asking the flight attendant for water instead of coffee or soft drinks. I brought coconut water with me, too, for ultimate hydration. This is very important.
-The time change is going to confuse you very much. This is why it is important to rest on the plane. Make sure you are keeping track of how many hours have gone by and try to figure out what time it is in your destination. The earlier you can get adjusted to their sleep schedule, the better. Make good use of your eye mask and melatonin and get some shut eye. The Adam Sandler movie can wait.
-Make friends with the person next to you on the plane. You don’t have to talk the whole time, but you do need to make sure all of your stuff is out of their way and all of their stuff is out of your way. Just be respectful with one another, and it will make everything a whole lot easier.
Feel prepared?! If there’s anything we can do for you to make this experience any better, don’t hesitate to ask!
Bon voyage….
-Anna and the Go Global team