I’ve been on countless flights throughout my life, and I’ve picked up a few pointers on staying hydrated to evading the dreaded plane cold. Whether you’re a first time flier or have a frequent flier card, I’ve got a list of must-haves to make your trip as comfortable as possible!
1) Disinfecting wipes/hand sanitizer
Countless people have sat in your seat before you, touching the armrests, the seatbelt, the video screen, and you and only guess where their hands have been. According to this Forbes article, a study has found that the trays on airplanes contain about 2,155 bacteria colonies on every square inch! The extent of the sanitation a plane undergoes depends on how long it’s staying at the airport, which means that you could be getting on a plane that’s had every inch wiped down or you could be getting on a plane where the flight attendants have simply picked up the dirty diapers from middle the aisle. BRING DISINFECTING WIPES! You don’t have to go crazy and bring an arsenal or cleaning products, but a travel pack of hand wipes have seriously helped me from going insane trying to guess if the stain on the arm rest was from a coffee spill or… something else. Wipe down those hotspots for germs and do your immune system a solid. I’d recommend Wet Ones; the cloths are soft (particularly the Lucky Super Soft ® kind) and the package is specially designed to prevent them from drying out.
2) A jacket or blanket
If you’re flying overnight, the plane will be about as comfortable as Alaska in the middle of December. When the sun goes down, it will be FREEZING. You can ask the flight attendants for blankets, but again, these are not washed after every use! Bringing your own blanket and/or a jacket will ensure that you can stay comfortable throughout your flight.
3) Tissue packs
Tissues are already an essential item I carry around on my person at all times! There’s nothing more awkward or uncomfortable than when your nose is running and there are no tissues in the vicinity. Considering how cold the plane will become, that’s a more than likely possibility. Spare yourself inconvenience and embarrassment by keeping a pack of tissues on your person or in your carry on.
4) Vitamin supplements
It is super easy to catch that post-flight cold for two reasons. First of all, you’re spending a couple hours in an enclosed space with hundreds of strangers, which means you’re all breathing the same air, so any germs that people may be carrying are stuck floating around. Second of all, like I mentioned earlier, the temperature of the plane will be very low once you start cruising, so you’re immune system will be weaker than usual. Help your body out by staying hydrated, wearing a jacket, and taking some vitamins. Supplements like Airborne can give your immune system a boost, and can be purchased at most pharmacies.
5) Hand lotion and lip balm
If you’re flying overnight and don’t want to shrivel up like a raisin, BRING LOTION. At night, the plane essentially becomes a desert at night- dry and cold. There’s nothing worse than having dry hands or super chapped lips and having no form of relief, so be sure to bring enough lotion and lip balm to last throughout the entire journey! I’d recommend Vaseline for the ultimate moisturizer- it’s thick consistency prevents it from drying up like some lotions do after a while.
6) Healthy snacks
Different airlines will provide different snacks on the flight, but it can be difficult to predict what foods will be provided, and they may not always be the healthiest options. For instance, a cup of ramen noodles isn’t going to offer the nutrition that your body needs to stay energized and boost your immune system, which is especially important when your body is dealing with the stress of being in an environment that is so different from what you’re usually accustomed to. Snacks like beef jerky, nuts, and trail mix provide a good amount of protein, which will help keep you alert. Freeze dried fruit and real vegetable chips are also tasty ways to get vitamins, which is great for your immune system!
7) Invest in a foot hammock
Again, depending on the airline and class, your seat may not come with a footrest, which can make long flights uncomfortable. Fortunately, some genius designed a foot hammock to solve this issue! The hammock elevates your feet, providing support for your legs and promoting blood circulation, which prevents your feet from getting swollen.
8) Eye mask
I’m someone who absolutely cannot sleep if my surroundings are not in near-total darkness. If you are too, then you should include an eye mask as one of your must-bring items on a plane. Although eye masks are available on most flights, you can guarantee you’ll be comfortable bringing your own. For instance, I find the elastic on plane-issued masks to often be too tight, which can make it hard to sleep. Besides, an eye mask will sit directly over your eyes, so you’ll want to know where it’s been, something you won’t know if you ask for a mask on the plane.
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