When I fly long distances I get so uncomfortable I feel like screaming. I'm 6' tall so there's never enough leg room and I can't ever seem to get comfortable enough to really sleep. By the middle of the flight all my muscles are so tense and achy and my bum hurts.
I usually take Dramamine, which helps a little, and I have one of Rick Steves' inflatable travel pillows. But I'm wondering what tips you all might have for making flying a more comfortable experience. Thanks!
I'm 5'8" and also have that legroom problem. I've found "GOOD" compression socks help and I have a lumbar cushion from Tempurpedic (sp). Additionally I use my carry on (which fits under the seat in front of me) as a foot rest off and on. Makes a huge difference for me anyway. I do take a perscription sleeping pill on long haul flights (after having tried many other options, i.e. allergy meds, herbal this and thats etc.)
Hi, Mellisa. I have many of the same issues. I'm a big guy, and can't sleep on planes at all.
Check out www.seatguru.com You can actually put your particular airline, and plane in, and they will have recommendations for the best sites. (They advise which have the most leg room, etc).
One thing I find really helps, is staying hydrated - lots of water, and avoiding caffeine.
I'll also get up and walk alot, and go back and stretch in the open areas near the gallies. (Usually one of the flight crew will strike up a conversation with you if you're there long, and it's a great way to get some advice on where you're going!)
One last silly thing that helps is - baggy pants. I take the most comfortable pair of pants or sweats I have, that are near the end of their useful life, and fly over with them, then change at the airport or hotel, and toss them.
Hope all that helps. I'm pondering Ambian - but haven't tried it yet.
If you can afford to pay a bit more for the flight, check out Virgin Atlantic's economy plus seats. Six inches more leg room, about four inches more hip room, and lots of amenities. We have used their flights twice and felt the extra money was well spent.
Interesting site. I noticed two things though. He sits by the window, but drinks a lot of water, and also refills his bottle. I'd be pretty annoyed to be the other two passengers that have to move every time he has to pee from all the water that he's drinking/refilling the water bottle. This is why I sit on the aisle, so I don't have to disturb anyone for my multiple trips to the bathroom! ;) And for as much money as we paid for our ticket, I am eating every morsel of food that they give me. Mediocre or not! Luckily, on the last two flights that we've taken to Europe, they've provided a few of the items he mentioned for the in-flight items (eye shades, earplugs, toothbrush, toothpaste). But I bought a pair of ear "marshmallows" for $15 not realizing that they practically cancel all noise. Even if my music isn't playing on my Ipod, they drown out those annoying babies!
Melissa, you're a tall lady! I feel bad for you and your legs. I'm just a hair over 5', and even I feel cramped in those seats, so I cannot imagine how you feel!
One more note, I feel a lot better about my "outfits" for flying to Europe now after reading some comments above and this guy's website. I usually wear a pair of elastic waisted athletic pants for comfort. And when I see the other passengers who are dressed in pant suits, I always feel so sloppy. But I like to wear soft clothes when sitting on a flight for that long, especially when I want to sleep on the flight.
Ask for a bulkhead seat- they have more leg room and you can prop your legs on the partition to rest them. I have the opposite problem. I am very short and my head doesn't reach the headrest!
Haha- make sure you wear your prettiest undies, you will want to look good for your strip search...(as suggested by the website mentioned above).
Xanax works for me (to help me relax), and a lot of water (British Airways gave out bottles of water to the passengers before boarding and during the flight, a nice touch). I try to get up at least once every couple hours (unless I am asleep) to stretch. I spent 45 minutes standing up in the back of the plane on the way home from London, looking down at the passing Canadian landscape, it was really relaxing and interesting, I took a few photos and imagined the runways I was seeing were secret CIA bases.
Aisle seat, middle section. Towards the rear.
The airlines usually book the middle seats of the middle section last and from front to back. So, if there are any empty seats, here is where they'd be. You might get lucky and have the seat next to you empty so you could use the extra room.
It's imperative that you get up every couple of hours to stretch and get the blood flowing. There are also some stretching/yoga exercises for your legs that can be done while sitting at your seat. Here are some courtesy of United Airlines:
In Flight Exercises
Liquor. Lots of it.
Talk to a doctor about a prescription sleep aid, and test it out at home before flying, so you know how to best time your dosage. My guess is that at 6 ft tall, you'll need a larger than normal dose. Most over-the-counter products advertised as a sleep aid contain a sedating antihistamine. Although these will help you sleep, they are not ideal for airline travel because they can dry out your airways.
Thanks for all your tips! I found this interesting travel pillow today and think I may try it out. I always find myself trying to lean forward and sleep on my arms folded on the tray table, this just might be the solution! (Althought I'll look like a dork!)
I'm intrigued by Melissa's pillow:
But wouldn't it press up against the seat in front of me, and annoy that passenger?
I go 6'6" so I certainly appreciate the lack of room. The easy thing is as Cynthia said is to look into premier economy seats. It stinks to pay more but sometimes you need to do.
Beyond that I have found, silly as it may sound, is just to keep things mellow. I am mentioning it because it hasn't been suggested yet and I appreciate that everyone has their own needs. It's gonna be awful and we know that going into it. Having done a lot of flying now between the west coast and the UK I watch people turn a 10 hour flight into a whole ordeal whereby they are changing clothes,bringing out a myriad of gizmos and treating it like a hotel experience.
Have a good book, get through takeoff, have a meal, and enjoy a movie. Normally that's starting to get you halfway home. Sometimes keeping it simple, and just getting through is the easiest.
Chani - And is the flyer reclining their seat back always like 5'1" or something like that? Seems that way to me :)
Worse, Michael. According to one customer review, if the passenger in front of you in economy reclines his seat, there's not enough room for the pillow to be on your lap.
I always seem to get the passenger ahead of me who spends the entire flight fully reclined, including meals, while the one behind me uses my seat back as a foot rest, constantly jarring my spine. How do I love flying, let me count the ways.... sigh.
I've politely asked the person in front of my not to recline. I think reclining is rude and I don't do it. There's so little space as is...
Drugs. Aisle seat.
Reclining is only rude at meal times.
Being organized. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my zen bag! This is great for long flights!
http://www.zenclasstravel.com/Zen_Class_Nirvana_Organizer_p/nrv.htm
I don't use the straps, I fold it up and it goes in my under the seat bag. Once we have leveled off, I get it out and all of my stuff is right there.
http://shop.samsonite.com/storefront/accessories/samsonite-convertible-travel-comfort-pillow/prodSA3753XX-cC35-.html
Also if you have to carry a pillow this is a great one. To carry around it draws up in a U-shape and clips to your bag for easy transport. But once on board you can let it out for a long pillow to snuggle up too.
But the biggest thing I have learned on long flights. Get to know your seat mates.
Here are my techniques, hopefully some will work well for you:
Fly overnight, think only in terms of local time at your destination in terms of eating and sleeping times.
Wear loose fiting clothes. Take your shoes off but wear socks and keep your jacket handy to use as a blanket if your cold or an extra pillow.
Ignore any movie offerings, eat a very light dinner, use the toilet then get comfortable.
I use a blow up pillow but I find it's more comfortable if not fully inflated (like a sleep number mattress, fill it to where it's most comfortable for you). Putting a sweater, t-shirt or something over the pillow makes it feel less plastic.
The eye shades are great on planes. I never use them elsewhere but got a free pair once on British Airways, tried them and now use them on long flights.
Pick some soothing music to listen to. If you don't have noise canceling headphones or your own tunes, use the planes headphones and put on some light classical or other calm music at a low volume.
I take one excedrin PM after dinner. Since I never take a sleep aid any other time, it seems to be plenty for me.
Regulate your breathing. Make sure you are taking full breaths. Breath in slowly until your lungs are full, hold for a second or two then breath out slowly and fully. You can regulate your heartbeat to help control anxiety or excitement by concentrating on breathing regularly.
