flights

The 4 Biggest Mistakes to Avoid When Flying Long Haul:

Long Haul flights 7-15 hours long

Do you have an upcoming international flight and are already feeling overwhelmed? From 7 to 15 hours, long-haul flights are no joke! Stressing out with planning, the fear of flying, and not being able to sleep on planes are some of the most common issues, travelers experience when flying internationally. Keep reading as today we are sharing the biggest mistakes to avoid when flying long-haul!

Pack Extra Layers

Wearing fancy, formal clothes to get an upgrade is a common misconception with people traveling long-haul. As soon as you board the plane, you will realize that it is freezing cold, and you will regret not packing extra layers. Having nothing but a dress on with some cute sandals might seem right if your end destination is a tropical island, however, if you need to spend 10 hours in the air in the extremely cold passenger cabin, you will regret this decision. Just be comfortable and do not count on the thin blankets provided by airlines – make sure to bring your own extra layers with a long haul flight.

Not Hydrating

One of the biggest mistakes passengers admit to doing is taking advantage of the free alcohol during long-haul flights. There are multiple reasons why people choose to have a few glasses of wine or whiskey – from calming down their anxiety of flying to allowing them to fall asleep. While you can definitely have a glass of an alcoholic beverage, it is important not to forget to hydrate properly first. Not only does alcohol dehydrate you, but various research has proven that alcoholic drinks have a bigger effect on you in the air. Make sure to drink at least 0.25 liters for every hour you are on the plane and double that amount if you are having alcohol as well!

Preparing to Do Lots of Work

A lot of people plan to catch up on their work while traveling long-haul. In most cases, however, this does not happen! While many airlines now offer complimentary Wi-Fi for their frequent passengers, you need to keep in mind that nothing is always certain when you are in the air. Another common issue is not having enough space to set up your laptop, your planner, your documents, and all the additional papers you might need to finalize your work. Last but definitely not least, oftentimes travelers get distracted by the entertainment system and forget about all the work they were preparing to do. You can definitely still get some work done but be realistic with your expectations!

Forgetting Items on the Plane

You might be surprised to hear that, but one of the biggest mistakes that travelers make, especially on long-haul flights is forgetting their items on the plane. From essentials, such as passports, phones, and wallets to smaller things like books, snacks, and headphones, the list of items forgotten on planes every day is endless. Regardless of if you are in a hurry or not for your next flight, make sure to always double-check your seat, the floor under your seat, and most importantly the seat pocket in front of you! The largest number of things forgotten during long-haul flights are either in the seat pocket or under the seat, so make sure to check it twice before you leave the plane. While sometimes you might be lucky other times, items left on planes are lost forever!

We hope that our list of the four biggest mistakes to avoid when flying long-haul will help you have a hassle-free international journey next time!

 

You may be considering taking a cruise, here is a must-read article on avoiding river cruise booking mistakes.  For the best river cruise experience, you will want to contact Nancy at Unique Journeys.  She will assist you in finding the perfect cruise experience where you will create memories for a lifetime.   You are welcome to find additional information at AMA Waterways regarding the luxury river cruise experience.